Model and Actress Brande Roderick Directs Her First Horror Flick “Wineville” Out Now
Brande Roderick’s journey in Hollywood has been quite peculiar marked by reinvention, resilience, and notable success. After her breakout performance in Baywatch and winning Playboy’s 2001 Playmate of the Year, she has repeatedly proven she is not just another famous face. Her recent venture into filmmaking with the horror movie Wineville showcases her ability to evolve and challenge herself, this time taking on a role behind the camera.
Brande first gained fame as a cast member on the iconic show Baywatch. Although most people know her from that, her days as a Playboy Playmate also helped mold her career. “Playboy really started it all for me, Brande recalls, explaining how her modeling stint opened doors to further opportunities in the entertainment industry. The Playboy family has always been there for her throughout her career, and she calls them her family for life. Although the magazine industry has evolved, Brande was fortunate to be part of Playboy’s last physical issue, marking the end of an era with one final but fantastic appearance.
Her move to directing is a logical step in her art. Her first film as a director, Wineville, is inspired by her adoration of 70s horror movies like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. She carefully captured that time’s gritty, grainy aesthetic, ensuring that the film’s wardrobe, colors, and set design transported viewers back to the drive-in theaters of those long-gone years. “For me, it was a lot about the grittiness and the color,” she shares, highlighting the meticulous thought of recreating the essence of 70s horror.
The exciting thing about Brande’s story is that she firmly believes in manifesting success. While on the set of Wineville, she made fabricated magazine covers of her on The Hollywood Reporter for her vision board. Her visualizations came to life when The Hollywood Reporter featured her and the film. This experience only reinforced her faith in the law of attraction, as she asserts that “if you truly believe something and see it every day, your mind will make it happen.” Brande’s personal stories about manifestation serve as a reminder of the strength of positive thinking and the importance of setting clear intentions.
Completing Wineville was no small task, taking nearly three years from the initial concept to post-production. Brande spent a year in pre-production, getting the crew together, working out the kinks of the script, and finding places to film. While the actual filming lasted just two weeks, the detailed post-production process, which included editing, sound, and music, was extended for another year. The movie mixes disturbing gore with a 70’s feel and has already gained recognition, with many critics applauding Brande’s direction.
Brande has always been willing to take on new things in modeling, acting, directing, and whatever the area. Her time on Celebrity Apprentice helped her hone her business skills, and she learned to excel under pressure. All these and more have shaped her perspective of life and the idea that you can do so much more than you think you can with little time, money, or anything. From red carpets to directing horror movies, Brande Roderick’s life is a story of strength, change, and bravery.