Hey everyone, I'm about to start my first real short film... and what better to start out with than a movie about running zombies? So, I've found that while I'll be really directing my (living) talent for the first time, I will also be encountering a whole new beast that I've never even practiced or studied before. How does one go about directing zombies? Does anyone have any tips for me? They would be greatly appreciated! Happy Holidays and have a great new year everyone!
Help with directing hordes of zombies?
- Thread starter KOHR
- Start date
Barry_Green
Moderator
Just put brains where you want them to go. Keep the plate covered until you're ready to call "action"; then uncover the plate. Might want to use a fan to spray the brain aromas closer to the crowd so they'll follow the smell.
Jason Adams
Section Moderator
The hardest thing about zombie talent is they move really slow. Getting them from location to location can really be tough. Make sure you have lots of time to get them from place to place.
Also a zombie translator is always a good idea...Or at least learn key zombie phrases like:
EHHHHHH ZEEEHHHH, - Back to 1
or
RAHHHHHHR OOO, - Background Action
Good luck,
Also if you can get non union zombies you will save yourself a lot of paper work.
Also a zombie translator is always a good idea...Or at least learn key zombie phrases like:
EHHHHHH ZEEEHHHH, - Back to 1
or
RAHHHHHHR OOO, - Background Action
Good luck,
Also if you can get non union zombies you will save yourself a lot of paper work.
Captain Pierce
Veteran
The zombies have a union now? Sheesh...
Haha, everyones a comedian these days. Does anyone have any experience with shooting a zombie movie, or know any tips that'll make the actors actually act scary, rather than just look stupid (remember, running/fast zombies here.. so stupid isn't the goal... rapid is more like it).
Okay, I'll take a quick try at this. If they're fast zombies, you probably need to ramp up the "animalistic" nature a bit. They're being driven by hunger. It'll probably be easier for non-actors not to look "stupid" as fast zombies, the slow, shambling kind gives more opportunity for dopey looks ;-)
In any case, when a fast zombie gets up to speed, it'll head towards its target by the most direct route, the hunger means nothing exists but the target, meaning they'll be clambering over stuff like cars, or careening off stuff like garbage bins. I think that's the main direction for your zombies - they're single-minded.
If you're really going to have "hoardes" of zombies, you might want to get someone on your crew to act as a 2nd AD, or "zombie wrangler", someone who can get them into position, etc in between takes once you've given the initial direction.
Have fun
Pat
In any case, when a fast zombie gets up to speed, it'll head towards its target by the most direct route, the hunger means nothing exists but the target, meaning they'll be clambering over stuff like cars, or careening off stuff like garbage bins. I think that's the main direction for your zombies - they're single-minded.
If you're really going to have "hoardes" of zombies, you might want to get someone on your crew to act as a 2nd AD, or "zombie wrangler", someone who can get them into position, etc in between takes once you've given the initial direction.
Have fun
Pat
smokeybear
Member
show them dawn of the dead remake clips, and tell them to act in a similar fashion