In an interview with Temple of Geek, actors Dan Kauss and Lauren Alexandra discussed their new short film, Haven Hollow. Lauren Alexandra plays the main character, Nora, while Dan Kauss plays Henry, a character who helps guide Nora through her journey. The film explores themes of grief, memory, and acceptance.
The story centers on a grieving woman who seeks solitude in the forest, immersing herself in imagined worlds to escape reality. When an unexpected visitor disrupts her retreat, she must confront the very thing she’s been avoiding before it’s too late. The film was written and directed by Josh LaCount, with a story by Lauren Alexandra and Josh LaCount, and stars Lauren Alexandra and Dan Kauss.
Interview with the cast of Haven Hollow, Lauren Alexandra and Dan Kauss
Lauren Alexandra describes Nora as a woman coping with the recent loss of her mother by going into the forest and performing elaborate characters. These performances are a way for her to deal with her grief, but she is ultimately forced to face her own trauma. Dan Kauss explains that his character, Henry, is a “being” who may exist in reality or only in Nora’s mind. He guides Nora through her journey in the film, resulting in a “weird, wacky and heartwarming” outcome.
The Creative Process
Lauren and writer-director Josh LaCount developed the story together, starting with the intriguing visual of a woman doing something “strange or different or weird” in the forest. Lauren felt that being part of the creative process from the beginning was extremely helpful because she understood every “beat” of Nora’s character and her entire arc. She noted that this knowledge sped up her preparation and allowed her to focus on deeper, more challenging moments in her performance. Lauren also explained how she prepared to play the different personas, individually breaking down each character’s purpose before connecting them back to Nora’s overall story. She revealed that the journalist persona, Evelyn Grace, represents Nora’s pure escapism, but her grief ultimately brings her back to her own reality.
Dan Kauss joined the project after Lauren and Josh had developed the idea. After reading the script, he was immediately sold on the project, believing Nora’s story about grief and loss was universal and relevant. For his preparation, Dan read the script multiple times to explore different avenues for Henry’s surreal character. He originally considered “overplaying” Henry but found that a “grounded energy” emerged during the table read with Lauren. This grounded approach, along with a “Twilight Zone-esque” feel, ultimately enhanced the film. Dan sees Henry as a reflection of Nora’s mind, a figure she created to help push her through her grief. He approached the challenging scenes with Nora by starting with “tough love” to shake her out of her “funk,” much like friends or family would do.
Filming Environment & Personal Connection
Both actors praised the collaborative and intimate nature of the independent film’s production. Lauren Alexandra found that the small crew and trust she had with Dan and Josh made it easier to be vulnerable and take risks while filming in the forest. She described the set environment as positive and open. Lauren also shared a personal connection to the role, revealing that the themes of loss and feeling trapped were particularly resonant for her after she lost her house in the LA fires. She found working on the film to be a form of “great therapy” that added a new layer to her performance.
Dan Kauss emphasized the importance of independent films, especially after the industry strikes, as they allow for “riskier” and more “exciting” stories to be told. He highly values the collaboration with Josh and Lauren, citing their positive, open, and intelligent approach.
Message for the Audience
When asked about the message they hope audiences take away, both actors focused on mental health and grief.
Lauren hopes people have someone like Henry in their lives to lean on. She believes the film is a story about being aware of your mental health, which is a topic that still isn’t discussed enough. For her, the message is that the “space around” the loss gets smaller over time, and while you’ll never forget it, it becomes easier to talk about in a happier way.
Dan echoed Lauren’s emphasis on mental health, stating that grief and loss will never fully go away. He hopes the film encourages people to give themselves permission to “breathe” and address what’s happening in their lives so they can function better for themselves and others.
