Day 87

Last Day of the 28 Days Countdown.

I know it lasted more than 28 days, but so what? It took longer than we thought.

A lot longer.

Anyway, just because the Countdown is over, doesn't mean NYZ is done. Not by a long shot. There's still plenty to do, editing and such. But for now, we're gonna take a little break, with Commencement fast-approaching and apartment hunting and such.

Thank you for following us and don't forget to check back for more in the future of NYZ!

Day 86

The Day After Filming.

Returning equipment, returning more equipment, returning the truck. Exhausted.

Finally done with principal photography! Though there was a bit of rain which forced us to postpone one scene, but hopefully we'll get it done in the coming months.

Day 85

The Sixth (and Final) Day of Filming.

Today we shot at Todman, and it was just me, Richard, Sam, Eric, Monica, and Kristy filming the scenes with the Police Storyline.

And now, we are officially wrapped with principal photography!!!!!!!!!

We'll have to re-shoot some scenes that we lost to rain on Wednesday, but other than that, we're pretty much done! Tomorrow is the big return day!

Day 84

The Fifth Day of Filming.

Today was by far our busiest day, with so many set-ups and scenes to cover with dialogue. I'm so grateful Richard came aboard to shoot this project so late in the game, considering how he hadn't seen the locations or any rehearsals, so he's been operating kind of on the fly, and he's been doing a fantastic job. I just wish I had more time to prepare to give him more to work with.

We wrapped up most of the characters today in the Hipster Story Arc, and tomorrow is just a few short scenes at Todman for the Zombie/Cop Story Arc. I'm really excited to have a relaxed flow as opposed to today's incredibly tight schedule.

Our reluctant heroes:
Tomorrow's our last official day of principal photography! We may have to re-shoot a bit of a scene we lost to rain last Wednesday, but other than that, "NYZ" will be officially wrapped!

Have a good night!

Day 83

The Fourth Day of Filming.

Today was a good day. After the long, audacious shoot last night, it was good to have a shorter day, actually during the day. We shot in Sam's apartment, where we filmed pretty much all the heavy-duty stunts today, coordinated by the legendary Drew Leary with me as a zombie.

Early start tomorrow, since it's our biggest day. Till then!

Day 82

The Third Day of Filming.

Rough start to the day. Everything was going fine up until we couldn't find a space to park out in front of Palladium on 14th Street, so we pulled around to the 13th Street entrance. However, in doing so, we ran over a few potholes and popped the front tire.

We called Budget, to see how long it would take to get someone to replace the tire, and Roadside Assistance wasn't going to be there for an hour and a half. And, to add insult to injury, the van battery died on us, and the Roadside Assistants couldn't give us a jump. And the nearest guy Budget could send was in Jersey. Another hour and a half away!

So, that put us back three full hours, and what was supposed to begin at 5pm was now pushed back to closer to 8:30 or 9pm.

A lot of running around, going to Hand Held to check out extra equipment for the nighttime scenes we just shot involving extras to play the walking undead.

A bunch of wonderful people came out to join the zombie ranks for the night, and I want to thank them all!

And check out these awesome pictures of our zombie horde:
You guys rock!

Day 81

The Second Day of Filming.

The day began fairly well, despite being upstaged by Obama at Cooper Union Square just a few blocks away, awash in cops cars, sirens and news vans. It made navigating traffic a bit trickier than it should have been, but not too bad.

We shot in Washington Square Park today, where we shot the first two scenes of the movie as part of the Manhattan Storyline. We had a bit of a rain delay for about a half hour, but it cleared up and everything went pretty quick.

Despite the rain, and a loud obnoxious disruptive woman named Star Luna, we wrapped early and got all the shots I wanted! Overall, today was a pretty damn good day!

After downloading the footage at Tisch, I grabbed a quick bite to eat at Delion and then headed over to Montrose Ave in Brooklyn, where I met with my actors from the Hipster Storyline to go over some blocking at Sam's apartment. Everything went really well and I'm riding an endorphin rush at the moment.

Tomorrow is our big, most intense day of the whole shoot: the Zombie Walk, where we're hoping to get some people to be zombie extras starting at 7pm near the East River State Park on North 8th Street and Kent Ave.

Sorry, but I don't have any pictures to put up today, but rest assured, there will be plenty tomorrow documenting the whole Zombie Walk in its full glory!

Day 80

The First Day of Filming.

We just finished our first day of shooting! "NYZ" is now officially in-production!

Check out the first official picture, featuring Jim and Morgan at Stuyvesant Square:


After a lot of running around this morning, going to Budget Truck Rentals, Hand Held Films, Inc., and then to Tisch to pick up the rig.

Special thanks to Rockwell's for providing today's burgers and wings! And thanks to Alexis for picking it up! And Catrin, our first zombie:

Tomorrow we shoot in Washington Square Park! Day Two!

In other related Zombie News...

A great video on how to deal with the guy who's clearly hiding a zombie bite.

Day 79

(Technically: 224)

Whew! Lots of running around today. Don't believe me? Take a look:

Woke up to a phone call, saying that my allotment check was ready. Went to Tisch, picked it. Then went to Lighting Plus down the street for light bulbs before heading to K-Mart to buy expendables. Went home. Then went back to Tisch, where I met with Richard again and had a brief meeting to Yemane.

Then I went to K-Mart again to buy a folding table and chair for Kristy's make-up station on set. After that, went to Trader Joe's right downstairs from my dorm to buy snacks for craft services before heading uptown to B&H to buy gels and other expendables for Richard. And then, finally, went down to MacDougal to pick up the camera from Matt.

Long day, but I'm really excited! Tomorrow's the big day!

Day 78

(Technically: 223)

Meetings, meetings, meetings. After work, I went over to Mudd Coffee to meet with Alex, who has agreed to be our primary zombie! He was a supporting actor on Eric's Color Sync, along with Mark, who is going to be a cop interrogating him.

After that, met with Richard, where we went over the shot list and talked equipment rentals. I have to call Hand Held tomorrow to rearrange our quotes.

Just got out of a production meeting with Eric, Sam, and Richard, where we finalized the schedule.

One day left.

In Zombie News...

Speaking of the walking dead: today marks the 23rd anniversary of "The Simpsons."

Day 77

(Technically: 222)

Making spreadsheets, phone calls, emails...Producing, basically.

And now...

Another Classic Public Domain Zombie Moment.

Day 76

(Technically: 221)

Last night, met with Jim and Morgan and we had a very lengthy and lovely chat, where we discussed their characters and ran through the script. I'm very happy with the way things are going!

Today, I met with Tim and Danielle, and we headed out to Sam's apartment (our shooting location) to look at the space and talk over their characters. Then we sat around and read a bit of historically documented zombie attacks.

Doing some storyboarding, since we start shooting in, what, four days? Crazy!

Day 75

(Technically: 220)

Went to the Mayor's Office. They still had my name on file at the security desk from a year ago when I was producing Eric's Color Sync, "Jackpot." They even used my old picture:

Ah. So young...

So, filed my paperwork to get the permit, which I was surprised to get in no time flat. Along with the proverbial "Keys to the City" card for the Made In NY program:

Awesome!

This is the noise that keeps me awake.

Day 74

(Technically: 219)

Lots of running around. Had to really start wearing the producer's hat in the past few days, since a few people have had to back out of the project, unfortunately.

Ran out again to the apartment in Brooklyn, and finally got the owner to sign the contract!

Hadn't been home for two seconds before receiving an email from Christina and Geoff of the Council of the Wise (aka the Production Supervision Committee -- sounds kinda like a subcommittee of the Census Bureau or something). They wanted to meet at noon. It was already 11:58. Crap.

So, ran to Tisch.

As one does.

Went through the production book with Christina and Geoff, who were very supportive. I got an email shortly thereafter informing me that we had been approved! YAY!!!

Met with Yemane, who gave me a list of names to try to help bolster my thin crew list, now that we won't have a producer on set.

Then I sat in a corner and shouted at my computer screen as I tried to navigate the labyrinthine website of the NYU Insurance & Risk Management Department. Finally, I got an email confirming that I could go and file with the Mayor's Office, which I will do tomorrow.

Ran into Eric. Then Richard, our new DP.

After treating myself to some R & R at Sundaes and Cones on East 10th Street, met with Kristy to discuss make-up. Things are going well. I hope we can do some more test shoots before we plunge right into it, but I'm happy with what we have so far and I think it will work out very well regardless.

So, having missed most of class by this point, Richard called me and we went out to Williamsburg to scout out the location for the zombie walk next Friday. Scoped it out for shots and angles and discussed lighting set-ups.

We went back to Palladium, where we worked on a new equipment list, which we'll hopefully have quotes for by tomorrow.

Didn't get around to calling Budget Rental today. Will do tomorrow. After running to the Mayor's Office. And calling Hand Held for quotes. So much to do!

Phew! Lot done today. Lot's of running around, but I'm feeling good! Maybe it's the endorphins trying to negate the pain of actual physical exertion, but nevertheless, I feel good right now. A little under the gun, but that's where I shine.

Tomorrow I start rehearsals with Jim and Morgan, which should be a lot of fun because we'll hopefully get to really play around with the characters and make it funny (no promises, though!).

Happy Tax Day (an oxymoron, I admit). At least the dead don't have to pay taxes.

...Or do they? (SPOILER ALERT: No, they don't)

Day 73

(Technically: 218)

One week to go before shooting begins...

Two weeks before we wrap.

Went out to location, but still the owner was unconvinced, wanting a security deposit. While not an unreasonable request, it's still another hoop to jump through.

A flaming hoop.

Of fire.

Went to Tick Tock Diner to meet with Mark, whom I've worked with on Eric's old Color Sync, who's agreed to appear as a good cop in NYZ. Awesome!

Talked to Christina, member of the Council of the Wise (aka the Production Supervision Committee), who said that she's still working on getting my project approved in the next few days so that we can file for insurance.

Decided to join my friends in the park for an impromptu game of Frisbee to relax a bit, with a few more leads on apartments coming through on wireless cellular telephonic communiques.

Then went to Tisch to meet with Monica to discuss props and production design. Things are going well from the art standpoint. Tomorrow: makeup test again! Yay!

Need to book Budget Truck for next week. Fortunately, NYU just worked out a deal with Budget to give students discounts on renting their cargo vans, which should make things a bit easier.

And now for more Zombie News:

Zombies a la Stephen Colbert.

Day 72

Went out to location this morning to talk with the owner about signing the agreement letting us shoot there. While he was willing to let us shoot there, he wasn't exactly prepared to sign a contract. So I went back to Tisch so that I could get some more information on the school insurance policy to put him at ease. Will head out again tomorrow.

Held more auditions. Feeling pretty good.

Pitched to the Freshman Colloquium class for Production Assistants. Hope to hear back soon.

Met with Zoe, who's kindly agreed to help with pre-producing before she heads off to Puerto Rico. She produced my last film, Kiss Me, I'm English, with only two weeks prep time. Impressive. Most impressive. She's really stepping up to the plate right now to help out at the last minute. She rocks!

So does Eric.

If you're wondering how to survive a zombie apocalypse, check out this tutorial.

Day 71

Running around a lot today. It's been a week since I submitted the production book to the Council of the Wise (aka the Production Supervision Committee). They're pretty backed-up, as Yemane told me when I briefly ran into him today.

Making phone calls.

Writing emails.

Going slightly mad.

Day 70

(Technically: 215)

Writing emails. Singing songs. Fightin' round the world.

In other Zombie News...

My friend Jonathan McDevitt just premiered his zombie-themed comedy musical at the NYU First Run Film Festival: Opening Night of the Living Dead.

Day 69

(Technically: 214)

(New 28 Day Countdown: Day 10)

Working on Ben Berger's set this weekend, a sci-fi family drama called "THE FEED."

Meanwhile, trying to organize a rehearsal with the actors, though juggling schedules seem to be the biggest hurdle. More on that later.

Day 68

Nothing much to report.

Just waiting.

Day 67

Of our NYZ 28 Days Countdown. ...Why does the day exceed the aforementioned 28 days?

Well, good question, I would say to you, hypothetical inquisitor. We were originally going to start shooting during the last weekend of February, ending on the 28th day of the month, hence the 28-day countdown (and no other reason...my lawyers have advised to officially state that I have never heard of any film or film franchise that revolves around 28 days or something like that).

However, due to circumstances beyond my control--namely, a goddamned blizzard--we were forced to reschedule for April, mere weeks before graduation. A bold move, some may say. Others may say it a ridiculous one, placing our six-day shoot of epic epicness (also my lawyers have advised me to state that I have never heard that saying before) right before final exams and such. Pf-shah!

And now, a bit of Zombie News:

THE DEAD WALK IN CANADA!!!

Day 66

14 days until shooting starts.

21 days until shooting ends.

28 days until Cinco de Mayo.

Coincidence? Absolutely not!

Day 65

(Technically: Day 210)

Had a late start to the day. Just worked on projects, though gave up after a while to sit in the park on the gorgeous sunny day. Though it wasn't so sunny by the time we got there, which didn't bother me much because it meant I got to retain my undead skin tone.

Check out the source for all your latest Zombie News.

Day 64

(Technically: Day 209)

This morning I printed out all the materials for my Production Book and turned it in to Yemane (not into Yemane -- that would be weird, but an awesome superpower regardless).

We sat down just a few minutes ago and went over it again, just to double-check. He gave it his seal of approval and is sending it off to the Council of the Wise (aka the Production Supervision Committee -- the supervision committee of production, or the committee of production supervision? A linguistic conundrum).

Twenty-three days to go.

Day 63

(Technically Day 208)

Spent all day making the final tweeks to my production book to turn into Yemane tomorrow. Not much else.

Catch the film reference from yesterday? The Answer: "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956)." Not a zombie movie, admittedly, but Fess Parker did pass away recently. Give it time...He shall return.

Today marks the biggest holiday in zombie tradition: Easter.
"On the third day he rose again."
Need more proof?
"Eat of this, for it is my body."

"Sweet Zombie Jesus!" (Another thing that has refused to stay dead).

Day 62

Technically, I suppose it's Day 207, since pre-production began on the first day of class in September, but hey, it doesn't really matter, now does it? Most of those days weren't spent doing much of anything towards this film anyway.

So, today was a bit of a lazy day. Just putting on the refining touches to the production packet before printing it all out tomorrow. Reviewing information on the NYC Mayor's Office website about student film shoots in the city and using Google Maps to get directions to and from the locations. Still looking for drivers to help schlep all our gear around Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Twenty-five days until we wrap. Hard to believe. Then begins the grueling year-long post-production work. If this movie isn't done by Day 300 (or next January), I'll eat my hat, red feather and all! HA-HA-HAHA-HA!! (...Anybody catch the reference?)

You know, when you type in the word "zombie" into the search engine on YouTube, this is what comes up first.

Day 61

Met with Yemane today and we went over my production book. He told me I have no reason to be worried, as I have been in the past few weeks. There are just a few elements missing, but everything should be ready to go by Monday, at which point we hand it off to the Council of the Wise (aka the Production Supervision Committee -- sounds like it could use a bit more flare, maybe?) and off to the insurance office.

Also went out to scout a potential apartment in Bushwick. It was a HUGE loft. It's great, but I think it might be a little too big for what we need.

Feeling pretty good about everything, truth be told. The cosmos are aligning. The wounds are coagulating. The dead haven't risen from the grave.

...Yet.

Some rules to live by.

Day 60

Got up early to go location scouting, mostly around Second Avenue, and then I moved out to Bedford to find the ideal spot for the Zombie Walk scene. Found a few quiet spots close to the water with some terrific views of Manhattan, plus wide roads for "hundreds" of zombies to saunter down.

Got a call from Andrew today, so we scheduled a meeting for Sunday to discuss the possibility of him coming on board as Antonio's replacement for DP.

Spent the rest of the day working on other projects, hoping to get them out of the way before things get too crazy in the next few weeks.

Still looking for an apartment for the party scenes, but Sam kindly offered his place as a potential backup location. So, we went out to Brooklyn and did a brief scout, taking some pictures, which we'll have posted shortly. Overall, I think the place could really work, though the windows do worry me a bit.

At least I have some material to turn in for the Council of the Wise (aka Production Supervision Committee). I need to meet with Yemane tomorrow to go over my production book to make sure all my ducks are in a row.

Eric's going to LA tonight, so no video posts in the immediate future. But I did want to leave you with another Classic Public Domain Zombie Moment.