Issue date: October 29, 2000

Interview:

Scaring up a new Blair Witch

HE MUCH-ANTICIPATED Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, the sequel to the mega-hit indie fright flick Blair Witch Project, is out this weekend. The second chapter's plot, which introduces five new characters, may have been kept under tight wraps, but one of its stars, Erica Leerhsen, 23, reveals to USA WEEKEND the truth behind why we love to be scared out of our wits at the movies.

What scares you?

The Ouija board. I used to have one when I was little. My friend and I could really contact dead teenage boys. I was playing with it one night alone, and I got so scared, I threw it out. I was afraid I was conjuring spirits I didn't want around.

When did you find out you had gotten this role?

I was actually sleeping when I got the call. I found out and went back to sleep. I'd gone through six auditions.

The movie's plot was top secret. Did you talk to anyone about your character?

As soon as we got the parts, we had to sign confidentiality agreements.

There was so much wild speculation on the Internet ...

I didn't see any stuff that wasn't true, but some stuff was off.

Like ...?

Like people saying who the main characters were.

Your character is named Erica, too. How did you get into playing yourself?

For the whole duration of filming, I didn't listen to any music that was upbeat, and I only watched horror movies. At times, we weren't sure if my character was feeling a certain way or if it was me.

Has the movie affected any other roles for you? You're guesting on HBO's Sopranos in March.

We began filming, but it rained, so they had to reschedule.

Spooky. ... When you were a kid, what did you dress up as on Halloween?

I remember being a witch a lot.

OK -- your most memorable Halloween?

When I was at Boston University, we had a dead people costume party. My friend and I went as the dead Thelma and Louise. I had blood trickling out of my mouth. I was trying to flirt with a guy, and I looked really creepy.