Zombie Enthusiasts Unite: The Indywood Project Needs YOU!

I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to make a film. Honestly when I sit and watch the credits (as I sometimes do, although I admit not ALL the time) I’ll be the first to admit I have no idea what half those people do. Except for the catering. I know exactly what they do. One of the most awesome catering experiences was when I was an extra on a little film called “PCU” starring Jeremy Piven, David Spade, and Jon Favreau. It involved a Veal Sandwich and the clearing of a set. But that’s a story for another day.

As near as I can tell, it is the producers who supply the funding to make the movies that we love (and hate!) so much. Producers, however, just don’t throw money out the window. They want a good return on investment. So what do you if you want to make a movie but can’t get access to those few individuals who seem to hold the gates closed?

You do what Antony Lane over at The Indywood Project is doing. Put out a call to anyone and everyone out there in the known universe and get their help funding your independent film.

In their own words:

The Indywood Project originated in January 2007 @ was launched by Antony during his final year of University. The idea was to create a website that could promote the work of Independent Filmmakers & also to get people excited about a film Antony wanted to make called “Invasion of the NOT QUITE Dead”. The response was incredible with hundreds of emails flooding in asking to either join the cast or crew. Over the course of 2007-2008 the project attached some of Hollywoods biggest crew names including: Rich Knight, a special fx make up artist (Beowulf, Poseidon, Rocky Balboa) – Corrine Bossu (King Kong, Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland) and Emmy award winning composer Misha Segal.

As of 2009 The Indywood Project has been re-launched with a goal to raise a minimum of £100,000 to make the high profile movie “Invasion Of The NOT QUITE Dead”, keeping it fully independent and away from studio control.”

What they are doing is offering the public to be a part of the process by offering different “Pre-Order Producer” packages. These packages range from a £20 pre-order package which allows you to purchase the film before it is made, includes a day on the set as an extra and a zombie makeover all the way up to investing in the film itself by providing £5000 and sharing in potential profits. There are also corporate packages available that include advertising and product placement. I’ll be honest with you, if I had £2500 to give, it would be a hoot to see a Renerd.com Tshirt in that movie .

It is projects like this, though, that are amazing stories because it isn’t about someone behind closed doors studying spreadsheet and profit margins. It is about a bunch of people that really want to see a film get made because of the passion of the people behind the camera. From all the years that we have covered the Toronto Zombie Walk and attending the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, there is one thing that we can say zombie movies have and that is incredibly passionate fans. Just imagine if all the zombie fans banded together to make a film? That is what this project seems to be attempting.

But what about the movie itself?

In 1978, a meteorite crash lands into the Swiss Mountains, unleashing a deadly virus. Killing everyone within a 20 mile radius, the incident was covered up by local officials. Now thirty years later the virus is released onto an unsuspecting island off the coast of England. A group of surviors must band together in order to survive the death and destruction of the once friendly locals in this black comedy horror “Invasion Of The Not Quite Dead”.

I am sold. Consider me a Pre-order Producer.



One Response to “Zombie Enthusiasts Unite: The Indywood Project Needs YOU!”

1. alan says:

   June 18, 2009 at 12:56 pm

   sounds like a great project can’t wait to see how it turns out