Collider: How did this come about?
Did they reach out to you about being in this film?
NINA DOBREV: I was sent the script along with Todd Strauss-Schulsons shorts.
Hes young and ambitious.
He really wanted to make a great film and I wanted to be a part of it.
Id never had that opportunity before.
Image via Stage 6 Films
She really goes through an arc that is understandable, and I thought that was really fun.
The script was fun and unique.
Its challenging and interesting for me to work on projects that are unique and unconventional.
Image via Stage 6 Films
Im so bored with seeing the same recycled material.
This film is very inventive and different and probably sounded totally crazy on paper.
If I hadnt seen that, I would have been like, Wait, what?!
Image via Getty
I dont get it.
But I had seen the short, so I immediately got it.
And of course, there were a million questions once I got there, which there always are.
Image via Stage 6 Films
What do you think will most surprise people who decide to check this out?
I think theyll be surprised at how surprised they were that its nothing like what they expected.
Nothing can really encompass the experience you have watching the film.
Did you guys get time to hang out and bond and find those relationships before filming started?
DOBREV: Yeah, we had a week before shooting.
We were staying in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but not even in Baton Rouge.
We were 20 miles outside of Baton Rouge, in the boonies.
We became really good friends, and I think well remain that way.
It was really good to get that time together.
In the slasher movie within the movie, theres this maniacal killing machine with no conscience.
DOBREV: Well, he didnt have the mask on, all the time.
He was not very intimidating or scary, but he was very tall and large.
You definitely had to look up and crane your neck to speak with him.
DOBREV: Yeah, I feel like theres a couple of movies.
There are so many movies.
DOBREV: Yeah, I really do think its important.
Eventually, it should be a balance.
People should take notes from the Europeans and balance out work and play.
You should work to live, not live to work.
But, Im actually getting back into it now.
I do think its important to be smiling and not make it all about business.
If youre jumping back into work, do you already know what youre going to be doing next?
DOBREV: I do.
Im just not allowed to talk about it right now.
DOBREV: Thats part of what Im not allowed to talk about.
Youve talked about being business-minded, but goals shift and change, as you get older.
So, at this point in your life and career, what are your goals for work?
I love period films and TV shows.
Lately, Ive been really enjoying the experience and the people.
Its fun to smile, instead of crying and running away from vampires and killers, all the time.
It just depends on the material, the director and the cast.
Its very, very circumstantial, but its good to be challenged.
I want to keep moving forward, and keep being inspired and scared.
I feel like, if youre not afraid of something, you shouldnt do it.
If youre just coasting through things, whats the point?
How did that experience change you, as an actress?
DOBREV: It was a great learning experience.
I often say that it was like actor boot camp.
I got to do everything.
I can confidently say that if you threw anything at me, I could do it in a heartbeat.
From this point forward, Im just ready to try it all and have that opportunity.
DOBREV: Its crazy, when you think about it.
It was a long time, and it was a beautiful time.
I look back at it with a smile on my face.
It was such a great period in my life, and I couldnt be more grateful.
The Final Girlsis in theaters, on VOD and On-Demand on October 9th.
