Vivian Schilling (born 1968) is an American novelist, screenwriter, actress and independent filmmaker.
Born and raised in Kansas, Schilling studied at The Lee Strasberg Theater Institute and also under Stella Adler before embarking upon a dual career as a screenwriter and actress. Currently, Schilling has been completing work for Paris-based Eurocine Films as the writer, producer and director of the English adaptation of "Toys in the Attic," based on the acclaimed stop-motion, animated feature by Czech director Jiří Barta (Deadline Hollywood).
Schilling has acted in a variety of leading roles in independent films since 1986. Schilling also wrote and starred in, Soultaker, a 1990 theatrical release. VARIETY: "A very intriguing premise distinguishes the thriller 'Soultaker.' Young star-scripter Vivian Schilling receives high marks for this effort, her innovation for horror/fantasy fans creating a new myth about potential afterlife." In spite of its limited budget, the film earned Schilling a Saturn Award in 1992, and was the top rated Planetary Premiere for the Sci-Fi Channel, holding that distinction for seven years. Schilling went on to star in several other films including Savage Land and the Polish film Niemcy, a World War II drama based on the stage play by Leon Kruczkowski. In Niemcy Schilling portrays heroine Ruth Sonnenbruch, a German nightclub singer who comes to the aid of a Jewish refugee. Her most recent roles were as feminist and author Gertrude Atherton (b.1857-1948) opposite Campbell Scott's Ambrose Bierce (b.1842-1915?) in the 2006 film anthology Ambrose Bierce: Civil War Stories, and providing the voice of "Buttercup" in the current theatrical release of "Toys in the Attic."
Both of Schilling's novels to date were received to high critical acclaim: Quietus (Penguin-Putnam) and Sacred Prey (St. Martin's Press). The novels take place in a supernatural setting and center on themes of immortality, existentialism and religious conflict. Schilling took a hiatus from writing her third novel in order to complete her work on the "Toys in the Attic" feature. Schilling's "Sacred Prey" was optioned for production as a major motion picture by Warner Brothers (Cinema Blend) for producers Steven Schneider ("Paranormal Activity") and Brooklyn Weaver ("Number 23").
"Toys in the Attic" was released to theatres in key USA cities beginning September 7, 2012, with playdates scheduled through mid-November, and a major home video release scheduled for January 15, 2013 (DVD, Blu-Ray and Video-On-Demand formats). Reviews for the film have been excellent, including top accolades from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today and major animation specialty publications and websites.
Schilling currently divides her time between a residence in Fayetteville, Arkansas and Beverly Hills, California.