The big one!!! Well what can I say. Supendous! Stunning! Fantastic ….Goresome!!!! The zombies invaded Leicester city 17th April 2009 and fun was had by all. There was a bit of pressure on today – firstly we had to get up at half five and secondly we were going to have a mass (gaggle?, flock?) of zombies around the centre of Leicester.

I set up a Facebook group for this and by a few days before we had over a hundred signed up. With extras i usually ask for twice as many as i want as often you have a ratio of no shows. Well …. just under 100 dedicated zombie fans turned up. Couldnt believe it – awesome! And you know what – we loved them all. Social media dont you love and hate it?

After the madness we vacted to Aylestone Meadows and a quick hop and jump across a fence to an industrial estate and the jobs a good one.

Cant believe how lucky we were weather wise – both days it threatened rain early on, which thankfully never came – and also with all the extras – a great atmosphere, a great bunch, a great day.

Down on the farm. Jai Grant’s parents have allowed us free roam of their old farm out Ratby way. Its an awesome location and many thanks to them. A big day today especially for Steve Doulton who joins us late into shooting – a hard task coming in to a cast and crew who’ve been working together for so long.

Steve had to go by three so needed to juggle the scenes around with all his stuff first. Have to say I was impressed by Steve. His attitude was at all times professional, and he nailed his lines pretty much bang on every time. A short scene I wrote where he recounts a traumatic event in his recent past relied on the actors skill and boy did he deliver.

Not sure if it was the pressure on the big shoot the next day but there was a touch of friction on the set. Nothing that stopped us nailing shots or spoiled friendships but it was there. But hey – its been a long haul, we’re all tired so shit happens. We moved on and got some fantastic shots due largely due to some free lighting – the sun.

New Year, new round of planning. Oh yes, i have my producer hat on trying to arrange the next shooting dates. Looking at the script I’d say we have 4 more days at DMU. I need to source a basement for the day after this then its the final days shooting outdoors. Looking forward to that one. No lighting set ups. But maybe rain! Who knows. So as i sit and type i’m awaiting responses from cast and crew as to when we can next shoot. Really chomping at the bit here to get going again as the end is in sight. Also Kris is working on a new script which is panning out to be a real corker. This one is going to scare the hell out of you.

Well, well, well – an interesting day this one to say the least. For starters we had two awesome signature zombies. First off was MORRISSEY ZOMBIE portrayed by my DMU co-student Joe. Nice one fella. secondly we had COCK ZOMBIE – which needs no explanation. James, a DMU drama student, stepped up to the plate and barred his buttocks and prosthetic member.

After a couple of pick ups we moved to a corridor scene which involved a cast member, Sandra taking a fall. Unfortunately after a couple of excellent trips she actually fell and hurt her knee. Have spoken to her since and she is OK – take care Sandra and you’ll be pleased to know your part is more sedate from now on.

The final scene of the day was FRANKS death. Really enjoyed this one as cast and crew chipped in ideas and his death scene became a collaborative blood fest. The days shoot ended for me with a trip to the toilet to be sick. After this joyful event i came back and we nailed the last shot. Packed up, went home and spent the evening in bed as sick as a dog,hence this is being posted the next day!

Cheers also to Viraj who did came in at late notice as a runner. Nice one.

Whoah – what a mad day. We had a serious number of setups to complete yesterday as we were shooting all the scenes to link up the footage we had shot outside of DMU. At the end of the day we needed to nail all these scenes as we were to move to the Queens building for the next shoot. Multiple set ups take time due to lighting and this added to a goresome gore set piece meant we were tight for time.

Already in a tight schedule when a double whammy hit us. Prepared for a 2 camera set up we lost one camera due to a technical problem. Stuart – 2nd camera – had to lose his rig so Neill could use it. Secondly our lead actress’s train was late and then she had to wait outside as we all had our phones off trying to get some cut away shots!

All this resulted in the shoot starting at 12 instead of 10:30. From this point my main concern was coverage and some shots had to be lost so we could shoot the scene. The day become one of setting the shots, shooting a couple of takes and moving on. Not the most relaxing day from a directors point of view – nor a DOP’s – but the choice was made as a return to the building at this time would have thrown the shoot off schedule.

On reflection i learned a lot yesterday. Firstly having a second or even third camera is a must. Secondly to switch my phone on between takes! Thirdly to have a Floor Manager/First AD. A lot of my time was spent doing this job – getting people organised for times etc – which is a lot on top of directing.

End Note – as usual stay tuned for shooting stills.

Had a last minute panic, again, last week. On Wednesday i found out that the location for Sunday Day 06 of the shoot had been withdrawn. Spent a mad day rushing around trying to source another set of toilets. Matt at The Firebug in Leicester came to the rescue and generously allowed us to use the upstairs toilets at the pub. Nice one brother.

An awesome days shooting was had with the first day of interaction between the main three characters. It was great to see the naturalistic relationship develop between the three actors on screen. The cramped conditions worked to our advantage and Neill nailed some great claustrophobic shots with his wide angle lens.

Lastly some fantastic gore from the SFX team. And rest assured I shall be posting some stills as soon as I get them.

Yep that was an awesome day and here’s the pictures to prove it. The first couple of hours were spent creating organised chaos. First priority’s for me were to organise the extras and make everyone aware of what was required. As with any actor I feel its vital they understand their role and more than that are happy with what they are expected to do otherwise this will show on screen. I need to both have a clear vision and be able to communicate this effectively. On a low/no budget movie especially as director I need to have the technical knowledge of film making together with the personal skills to communicate effectively with cast and crew. I got good feeback on the day so lets hope alls good with this!

While doing this Kris organised the extras into groups and dressed the set. Neill ( DP ), Steve Shovlar ( steadycam ) and myself finalised shots for Steve and the route he was to take around the bodies. It was a pre-zombie scene so Gav and Rachael’s make-up was limited to burns and wounds. However with 20 extras they had their work cut out – between them they did a great job.

As the morning progressed i knew we’d nailed this scene. The vibe on set was awesome and everyone had a great time – especially when Dr Riley, Clive Ward, slipped on the bloody floor with needle in hand Carry On style. On time we wrapped the crowd scenes around 1. In the haste i forgot that Steve Bull, Mark, had finished his scenes for the film. So apology’s for not mentioning that on the day and thanks Steve! some great acting on the day and kudos to Rod for his masterly finger clicking and Ruth for her multiple falls on a hard surface. Respect!

Today emphasised to me the importance of compromise. The films already shot in my head but on the day compromise’s had to be made. I had to make decision’s, sacrifice some things and move on – its coverage we need.

After lunch we set up the scene for Sarah waking up. This was an easier shoot than the morning but essential we got it in the bag. Ruth as usual was awesome. An intense day overall but a great days shooting.

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Here’s some pictures from the third day of shooting. The shoot covered Sarah’s journey and arrival at the evacuation centre and is one of only three days of external shooting. Luckily the forecast held and there was no rain until later. As we all met at the Hawthorn building at DMU we shot the car pulling up and Sarah, Mark and Steve getting out first. Then we were off to the countryside. On the way the magisterial Neill Phillips, DP, took the internal shots in the car of the rush to the evacuation centre. A great dying scene with Steve Bull, Ruth King and Barry Thomas was caught.

I’d also like to gve a warm welcome to Farid. He jumped in at the last minute for Carl Homer who’s wife has just had a baby ! Congratulations Carl and welcome aboard Farid. His first day invloved squashing himself in the cars boot to record sound. Thats dedication. Hopefully we’ll have both Carl and Farid for the next days shoot.

As usual some lovely camera work by Neill Phillips who somehow manages to operate the camera and also takes stills – see the awesome shot above. Rain put paid to the car mount we were hoping to use but we still got the coverage.

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