Lailo Lema started acting in grade school and attending workshops. Whilst shy at first, she began to break out of her shell when she took interest in voice acting. Lailo started a podcast titled, coquettedoll, where she created many audio stories that where unscripted daydreams.
The podcast grew in popularity and eventually gained over 100k downloads each month on Spotify.
Lailo has recently shown a regained interest in narration along with acting in short films. The stories she performs in are also an extension of the dark ethereal energy she channels. One in particular, Anathema, a short drama film about self-discovery and acceptance of one’s humanity; humanizing the carnal side of nature.
Excerpt from the script;
An Inside Peek at the Anathema script
ANATHEMA
INT. WOODS – NIGHTIME
Girl is sitting down looking at the woods, searching through the trees.
Girl
I was promised to the light, but I’m drawn to the darkness.
INT. WOODS – NIGHTIME
Girl is running around, dancing and having fun looking through the darkness.
Girl
The mystery, the uncertainty, the beauty of it.
INT. MIRROR OUTSIDE – NIGHTTIME
Girl studies herself pondering who she is and exploring the darker sides to herself.
Girl
I know there’s something searching for me too, a fate I can’t escape.
INT. WOODS – NIGHTIME
Girl is running around, dancing and having fun looking through the darkness.
Girl
Is it some creature, some… (with pause and emphasis) horrible thing or something completely harmless…
INT. WOODS – NIGHTIME
Girl performs rituals.
Girl
I’ve been searching for the answer for so long that I’ve fallen deeper and deeper in ecstasy
INT. WOODS – NIGHTIME
Girl is running around, dancing and having fun looking through the darkness. Her rituals are exposed.
Girl
Maybe it wasn’t some creature, maybe it wasn’t some horrible thing. (pause) Maybe… it wasn’t completely harmless. Maybe it was just…
INT. WOODS – NIGHTIME
Girl fiddles with her fingers and looks up at the camera.
Girl
me.
Inspiration
Lailo Lema authors stories that break boundaries set by genre. She draws inspiration from a range of dark fiction including erotic horror and dark romance. Also, she takes inspiration from gothic fairytales she indulged in growing up, as well as adventure. No matter where she pulls from, the common theme running through her stories is an exploration of desire and dread. The playful anticipation and andrenaline between them and the cost of grief we pay when we indulge.