Zombie movie filming next weekend!

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Permalink Reply by Komrad Dead Warrior☭ on July 8, 2010 at 12:02am

Zombies are coming to a town near you.

At least they will be if Stroudsburg resident Mark Berryman has anything to say about it.

The filmmaker is busy working on his first feature-length film, "Holiday of the Dead," which is all about zombies and how they come to be.

The first step in the long process of filmmaking was to write the script. Berryman had some help from Mike Shands, who is co-directing.

"After writing the script, we brought in a more professional writer, Mike Losquadro, to help us refine it," he said. "Then it was time to start the process of casting."

There are 10 major roles, four of which are already cast. In addition to the other major roles, he is in need of hundreds of locals to play the parts of zombies.

Berryman expects to film the major scenes two weekends in July. While the shooting location hasn't been finalized, there are a couple of local spots being considered — one in Bangor and one in Blakeslee.

"Everyone is volunteering at this point. If we make money, I will pay everyone before I pay myself," he said. "I expect to have everything wrapped up by the end of the year and push for film festivals in 2011."

Berryman, a Pocono native, has been making films for much of his life. He created his first animated feature at age 13 and has worked on small projects since then. But in 2002, his interest in filmmaking peaked.

"I turned 40 in November," Berryman said. "While some people decide they will buy a motorcycle when they turn 40, I decided to make my first feature-length film."

"Holiday of the Dead" deals with the government and fears, and part of his inspiration comes from a vaccine.

"This movie deals with a bio-weapon; a virus that has escaped after being tested in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, it finds its way back to the United States, and the government tries to vaccinate everyone, which creates a larger disaster," Berryman said.

"It's meant to play on fears of the H1N1 vaccine, and has both slow- and fast-moving zombies in the same arena," he said. "If the movie 'Jaws' makes you not go back in the water, this will make you not go back to the doctor's office."

Berryman is also looking for funds to help with pre-production, production and post-production costs.

"For as little as $10, you get mentioned in the credits," he said. "It's a leap of faith, but we are giving you something such as a T-shirt and being mentioned in the credits for donating."

Berryman would like to see the film get picked up for distribution and win some festivals, but said he would be happy with people just seeing and enjoying it.

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