Cortney Lee plays an infected teen in 9.9.09.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, highlights of your career so far, how you got into this crazy business, and how you became involved with the movie. 

        Cortney Lee:  For the past 10 years I have been practicing Tae Kwo Do and I have my third degree black belt. I have also won the Junior Olympics 4 times and I’ve won the international games in Korea. I also have a black belt in Gi Gum Do and Hapkido. I also love to ride and train my horse Blue “ Hannabal “ Colvig. Blue is my passion and I love him very much. We are winners of a blue ribbon at the Gold Coast 07 horse show in 2008. I got into acting by begging my dad that I wanted to be in a commercial. He finally caved in and took me to my grandpa’s old agency and I started as an actress about 4 years ago. I’ve been recently on the Disney Channel. 

I got involved with 9909 because my dad and Howard Wexler were best friends long before I was born so they knew each other well and that meant Howard knew me well, so he asked me to be in his movie. Thank you Howard!

Tell us about your role in the movie. 

CL:  My role was of an infected teen. She is a scary girl who attacks the deputy. She has no sympathy and her only thought in her head is to infect other people or maybe kill them. Over all, she was a fun character to play.

In your own words, what is the film about? 

CL:  The film is about a meteor from space that hits the earth with infected worms. The worms infect people and three friends try to stop it.

What was it like working on a low budget film? 

CL:  I have worked on high budget jobs but they weren’t as nearly as fun as this film. Everyone is not stuck up or anything. Everyone is just having a good time and that’s how every single movie or any work should be. It should be like the people in this movie. I would like to say to Howard that he made a great choice in cast and crew. 

Did you learn anything about yourself or others from the experience?  

CL: I learned that I could play a mean, heartless infected girl, which I never thought I could play. It was a stretch for me to do that.

What was your favorite moment working on the film? 

CL: My favorite moment working on the film, besides filming, was just hanging out with the cast and crew. Everyone was amazing and very social, even to a thirteen year old.

What does it mean to you to be infected? 

CL: It’s a little scary but if you keep reminding yourself that your not, you feel a little better. But just thinking about it gives me the chills.

How did you work on the arc of your character? 

CL: I practiced a zombie walk and I had to get used to the taste of maple syrup flavored blood, Alka-Seltzer, Vaseline, and a rubber worm.