Dying in a gruesome, bloody way isn’t exactly something most people get excited about. But for actress and University of Idaho Associate Professor Kelly Quinnett, it’s something she strives to excel at.
Starting on Sept. 26, Quinnett will be shooting a slasher movie titled “The Absent” in Winthrop, Wash. 
“I think it’s a great script and we have a good cast. I just have this gut feeling that it is going to be good,” Quinnett said.
Quinnett will be playing the role of high school principle Marge Jackson, a role she said she’s been preparing for by following her daughter’s high school principle around.

“Kelly was chosen for the role of the principal because she has a strong acting and academic backround,” Producer Sage Bannick said. “Her scene with Josh Hartnett in ‘Mozart and the Whale’ convinced us that she was right for the role.”
The movie takes place in a small town and opens with a childhood flashback of a series of mysterious accidents that occur. The child kills his parents and then the movie cuts to 20 years later when he gets out of jail and becomes a high school teacher.
“He’s hot and young and starts having affairs with a number of his students and I like him and invite him over,” Quinnett said. “Then strange events start to happen at the high school – girl after girl start to die.”

Quinnett revealed that she will have a “cool bloody” death scene that she has been doing some research for.
“Acting is difficult anyhow but it (a death scene) requires you to go over. You can’t just scratch the surface,” Quinnett said.
“The screenplay was written by Sage Bannick, Damon Abdallah and Ari Bernstein,” Publicist Jason Kasperski said. Bannick is producing alongside Chris Siverston who also produced the thriller “I Know Who Killed Me.” 

University of Idaho associate professor of acting, Kelly Quinnett, will be acting in a slasher film titled “The Absent” in Winthrop, Wash. Courtesy Photo

“The cast is top notch,” Bannick said, “Bryan Kirkwood is a name in the genre and the Zima sisters bring award winning credits to the table. Watch for Sam Ball of ‘13 going on 30’ to turn in a career changing performance.”
Ironically, Quinnett is scared of the thriller genre herself, and she will not let any of her three children watch it. “It’s perfect for the college age,” Quinnett said. She plans on watching it with some of her classes.
The movie will be rated R for sex, blood and gore. “The film should be finished within the year, then we will start getting it out there. Look for screenings as early as next summer,” Bannick said.

This will be Quinnett’s seventh movie role, having previously appeared in ‘Mozart and The Whale’ with Josh Hartnett, ‘The Basket,’ ‘Mr.Write’ with Paul Reiser, ‘Fratelli e sorelle,’ ‘Home of the Brave’ with Samuel L. Jackson and “Frank” with John Gries.
She also has an extensive on-stage resume and formed a production company with two friends called Three Tall Women, determined to bring good quality theater to Moscow.
Quinnett earned her Master’s degree in acting at UI. She’s been teaching at UI for ten years.
“I wanted to be a working actor and also wanted to give back. I was very fortunate,” Quinnett said. “I had a dream come true for me. I really worked hard and I really enjoyed the whole thing.”

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