Sitting across from August Kyss, you do not just see an actress. You see a strategist. She carries the sort of work ethic that usually burns out the faint of heart by their second pilot season. But Kyss is different. This Canadian artist is not just another face in the crowd of "bombshells" looking for a break. She is a multi-hyphenate force, operating as a producer, director and actress with a focus that borders on the clinical.
Her trajectory in the industry is not an accident. It is the result of a relentless pursuit of the craft. She has spent time in the trenches with everyone from scream queen royalty to professional wrestling icons. "I've been incredibly fortunate to work with so many talented people," Kyss gushes. "From Felissa Rose and Lynn Lowry to Bret 'The Hitman' Hart, every project has been a learning experience and a chance to grow as an artist."
The collaboration with Bret Hart is particularly interesting. It signals a crossover appeal that most indie darlings lack. But it was her turn in the action thriller *Death Bitch* that really started to turn heads in the local scene. Playing Kimberly Wells, a reporter who stares down anti-establishment thugs, Kyss found a way to ground the high-octane violence in something personal.
The shoot was more than just a job for her. It was a homecoming. "It was a unique opportunity for me to shoot in my home city and to see my family whom I had not seen since before the pandemic," Kyss shares. "I really enjoyed spending time with my dad for those four days and I was so happy to be doing an action movie because it was a first-time thing for me."
Action is one thing, but raw, emotional exposure is where she really earns her keep. In *Flesh of the Unforgiven*, she stepped into the shoes of Vivienne. The character is a wreck—a soon-to-be divorcee looking for a reason to keep breathing. It is the kind of role that requires an actress to strip away the vanity.
Kyss did not shy away from the darkness of that role. She leaned into it. "I had to go to a place where all my efforts were fruitless, and I would never achieve my dreams because I just wasn't good enough. That brought on the tears and emotion because it came from real vulnerability on my part," Kyss reveals.
The industry is taking notice of this range. Her upcoming slate is a chaotic mix of genres, starting with the heavy drama *Not a Love Story*. Based on a harrowing true story of survival, it tackles sexual assault and addiction. It is a far cry from the campy horror she is often associated with, but it feels like a necessary evolution.
"I feel like it's a story that a lot of people can relate to since life literally is 'not a love story'. The film showcases real-life issues but overall is a female empowerment story," Kyss explains. This focus on "real-life issues" suggests she is looking for more than just a scream queen title. She wants to be a voice for the marginalized.
Still, she has not abandoned the genre that built her. She recently finished two features with Toronto director Nigel Hartwell. One is *Demented Two*, which looks at the grimy underbelly of the Dark Web. The other is *The Massage Parlour Massacre*, where she takes the lead as an eccentric business owner.
The contrast between these two sets was stark. "Massage Parlour Massacre was one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had on set," Kyss shares. "Demented was a tough role for me to play: I played a victim, and it made me go to shadowy places as an actress, but I am super thankful for the experience."
In June, she headed west to British Columbia. She spent time in Chilliwack and Vancouver for Warren Dean Fulton’s feature *Daedalus Melon in Rebel Bikers vs. Vampires from Venus*. It is exactly as weird as the title suggests—a cocktail of clowns, werewolves and time travel.
"I met some nice people on set, and I keep in touch with them including Tristan Risk (American Mary) and Cynthia Loewen (The Unforgiveable)," Kyss shares. Working with Tristan Risk is a badge of honour in the Canadian indie horror circuit. It places Kyss in the centre of a very specific, very talented cult-film community.
Then came July and a role in *Sex Crazed Vampire Strippers from Mars*. She played Scarlett Van Helsing, also known as Didi Canuck. The project is part of a student grindhouse lineup in Mark Cantu’s film *Grind*. But Kyss did more than just show up for her marks.
She took the reins behind the camera. "The name Scarlet Van Helsing is fitting since I was hunting 'sex crazed vampires' lol. This was a unique opportunity for me since I oversaw the second unit production and directed my segment," Kyss explains. "It was both fun and challenging."
Her momentum shows no signs of slowing down. She has a role in *Only Fangs* coming up, starring Ginger Lynn Allen. The film is a horror-comedy about a monster slayer who builds an app for vampires. It sounds ridiculous, but in the hands of A&P Productions, it will likely find its audience.
I would say without a doubt that writing and storytelling is my first love. I wrote my first novel in 2022, and it got published with Harper Collins Canada. The title of the novel is, 'InnerCity Girl Like Me'.
"The film follows a wannabe monster slayer who creates a new app and helps a team of vampires find their new victims. I will be filming my segment this November," Kyss shares. "Ginger Lynn is now a frequent collaborator, but I have yet to meet her in person."
By Dec. 15, she will be pivoting again. This time, she is stepping into the role of a horror host for NYX TV Canada. The show, *Dark Rewind*, is a love letter to 1980s horror. It is a smart move. Horror hosting has a long, storied history, and Kyss has the personality to pull it off.
"Corrine Ferguson runs Canada's Only 24/7 Horror TV channel, which is one hundred percent free. 'Dark Rewind' will be filmed in Edmonton, Alberta," Kyss explains. "This is also really important to me, because I get to direct and write the entire show and have some really cool ideas. I am super stoked for it!"
Hamilton, Ontario is also on her radar. She is attached to *High Voltage Horror* with Mitch Markowitz. The film is being produced by the Butcher Shop FX Studio and Rabidog Films. She describes it as a *Naked Gun* style comedy, which will test her timing.
"We will be filming in Hamilton, Ontario. The film is a naked gun style film. I play a vivacious character named Pamela Summers," Kyss shares. "I am just getting through the script now and am excited to work with these awesome Ontario locals."
Next winter, she moves into more prestige territory with *A Farewell to Youth*. Starring Larry Thomas, the film deals with addiction and the fading promise of youth. It is a "male positive" story, which is a rare find in the current cinematic climate.
"Jack is forced to confront his past mistakes and learn what it truly means to be a father. It is a story of friendship, family ties and second chances. A true coming of age, male positive story," Kyss explains. Her involvement in such a grounded project shows a desire to diversify her portfolio.
The industry has noticed her speed. "I hear it from my manager all the time, 'You've accomplished so much in such a short time.' I do realize it and am very thankful. It is such a tough industry and being in Canada makes it even tougher," Kyss shares.
Her induction into the hall of fame by Keith "Tattness" McCleary was a high point. "When I got the phone call from Keith 'Tattness' McCleary (former heavyweight MMA fighter) that he was going to induct me into his hall of fame I was super happy, and a bit paused over with surprise. Me? Kind of surreal to say the least."
She credits her support system for keeping her sane. Agent Samantha Rose and her manager are the ones navigating the minefield of Canadian production. "I have been working hard with the help of my agent, Samantha Rose (The Casting Solution). She has been helping a lot by getting me auditions, and my manager also helps a lot by referring me to other filmmakers - and by telling me all the industry dos and don'ts," Kyss explains.
She also acknowledges the influence of David Bond of Dark Elegy Films. "I also must give praise to my mentor David Bond (Dark Elegy Films) who encouraged me to get into this industry in the first place." Mentorship is the lifeblood of the indie world. Without it, you are just another actor waiting for a phone call that never comes.
But even with the accolades, Kyss is realistic. "I still have a long way to go and so many more mountains to climb, I'm sure," she shares. To manage the stress, she has had to learn how to shut down. The extroverted nature of the set is balanced by an introverted home life.
"Because my work is so extroverted I unwind by becoming introverted. I really need that alone time at home doing nothing to refresh my brain," she explains. This is a survival tactic. The film industry is notorious for chewing people up and spitting them out.
She learned this lesson the hard way earlier this year. "There was a period in May/June where I was really working myself sick. I had to learn that it is okay to take breaks, and a tired brain will not perform as well as a rested brain," she shares. "I am also still practicing not engaging with networking or anything work-related after 5pm. It is super hard to stick to."
Kyss is also a student of the world. She is an animal lover and a seeker of spiritual knowledge. "Although I love the entertainment industry, there is so much more to me than being an actor. I am an avid animal lover and enjoy spending time in nature," she shares.
Her curiosity extends to the afterlife. "I am also very interested in spiritualism, and I enjoy listening to podcasts about life after death and near-death experiences. I also enjoy reading and educating myself on social issues." This intellectual depth informs her acting. She isn't just playing a character; she is bringing a worldview to the role.
Her diet is another point of discipline. She is a pescetarian, though she has experimented with veganism in the past. "I don't buy dairy to keep at home and I rarely buy eggs, but it does help me with nutrients. There was a time when I was a vegan, but that diet really didn't work for me since I am a bit of a scatterbrain and forget to take supplements often," she explains.
The choice was born out of empathy for animals. "The whole veganism thing started when I educated myself about how animals are slaughtered. Being such a huge animal lover it was impossible for me to continue eating meat. I still feel guilty about eating fish. It can be a struggle."
Despite her success on screen, writing remains her primary passion. "I would say without a doubt that writing and storytelling is my first love," she shares. "I wrote my first novel in 2022, and it got published with Harper Collins Canada. The title of the novel is, 'InnerCity Girl Like Me'."
The book is a gritty look at Winnipeg. It deals with gangs and the harsh reality of growing up in the inner city. "The novel was not based on my own experiences, but rather from a mixture of stories I heard while growing up and my own vivid imagination. Winnipeg, which can be a rough city, harbours a lot of darkness," Kyss explains. "When I wrote it, I was trying to show the world a side of it but in a fictional sort of way."
For Kyss, the book was also a form of escapism. "I also created the female characters as a fantasy world for myself to be protected in as a teen. There were some rough times in high school for me for sure. It would have been nice to have friends like Maria, Jessica, Gina and Violet to protect me back then," she shares.
The novel has been optioned by Original Pictures. It is currently in development, which means Kyss is about to see her words come to life on the screen. "I am so excited to tell my own stories on the big screen. It's ultimately what I have always wanted too to do but was not confident enough; but I am not letting fears paralyze me this time," Kyss shares.
She knows she cannot do it alone. "Film-making and even acting is not something you can really do alone. You really do need back up and mentors, because there are certainly some bad seeds out there that will waste your time or even worse," she explains. "I am lucky that I have a solid group of film makers in my circle now who have my back and vice-versa."
Her ultimate goal is to have a show in the vein of Alfred Hitchcock. She wants to write and direct everything. While she is known for horror, she is looking for something aesthetically elevated. "Yes, I love horror but that is not a make-or-break deal for me when it comes to signing on to a project. As much as I like slashers, I would love to be cast in an aesthetically beautiful horror film. Think, Bram Stoker's Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola," she shares.
She also wants to lean into her comedic roots. "I am also very interested in doing more comedy and drama. Comedy because I love to laugh and usually at my own jokes - yes, I am one of those people - and drama because I love a good solid story."
Her Portuguese heritage is becoming a bigger part of her identity as well. "It was something I use to shy away from as a kid because I wanted to be more like the little Ukrainian and Polish girls in school with the pretty blonde hair and blue eyes; but I have slowly and surely come to love my heritage. It is so culturally diverse in cuisine and has a lot of fascinating history," she shares.
She has plans to take her work international. "I am very interested in making films in Portugal using Portuguese actors and crew and submitting them to tier one festivals alongside my mentor, David Bond."
Her advice for those coming up behind her is simple: don't quit. "Don't Give Up," she says firmly. "There are a lot of people who will tell you its impossible. It's true, it's very hard but if you work at it every day you will build results. Even if that day your biggest accomplishment is being an extra on a student film or sending out your actor's resume and headshots to agencies you know most likely won't take you, it's something. Those little somethings will add up eventually and will blossom into achievements.
