'Vikings vs. Zombies' fundraiser extravaganza

Local film studio plans party with 10 bands, free beer

By Dwayne Steward

Metromix

With the recent success of the Cowtown Film Festival and the popular premiere of Cinema Lexikon's "Dark Target" earlier this month, it seems like filmmaking in Central Ohio is on the rise.

Adding to this wave are the guys at True Studios, who are planning a "fundraiser extravaganza" Saturday, Jan. 16, at Junctionview Studios, in order to procure funds for their latest project, "Vikings & Zombies."

The nearly three-year-old production company is run by six friends who have been working together for six years. True Studios is typically known for its diverse short films and the occasional music video, but it has recently switched focus to features.

They released their first full-length feature, "On the Lam"—about a faux reality where the nation's conflict with Iraq has sprouted a mandatory draft—back in 2008 to positive reviews. They've even screened the film for various festivals nationwide, including the Queens International Film Festival in New York. 

Saturday's shindig initially started as a simple car wash to raise money, but it has morphed into a mini-music festival. The night will feature 10 local bands, free beer (provided by Pabst Blue Ribbon), a silent auction for an executive producer credit in the film and various other prizes—including a chance to be an extra in the movie, which is slated to begi filming in May. A dance party will follow the bands, and True Studios execs ask that you come dressed in your best Viking or zombie constume.

Metromix pulled aside Gregory Kissner, a True Studios director/producer, to discuss, the party, the film and why Vikings and zombies are the perfect combination.

How did the idea for putting on a concert as a fundraiser come about?
We were just looking for a way to gather some funds for the film so we could finish it. "Vikings vs. Zombies" already has a distributor, but the budget is currently zero [laughs]. Our distribution is through our producer, Thomas Seymour (responsible for indie hits "The Land of College Prophets" and "London Betty") who owns Hale Manor Productions. He and I met when I was living in New York. We both worked together at Black20.com. He wanted to make a film with me, so when I came back to Ohio we started working on a script. I started reading a lot of books on independent film fundraisers, and a party just seemed simple. It's kind of blown up to be a lot bigger than we were expecting. We just thought we'd have a couple bands, and now 10 bands have joined and a major sponsor has come on board who'll be handing out free alcohol [laughs]. We did shoot enough of the film to make a teaser, but that was pretty much done with no money. We're capable of shooting something that's only a minute and a half, but as far as a full feature goes, we're going to need more funding [laughs]. We're expecting it's going to cost about $10,000 for film. We don't expect to be making that at the fundraiser, we're just hoping to make enough to get started. Then hopefully we'll be able to gain investors along the way.

What is True Studios?
It's mostly myself and my number one colleague, Aaron Syler. We're the most active members, but we've been working together with our team for about six years. "On the Lam" started out as a student project that we ended up having to finish after we all graduated. We've taken it to four international festivals. We actually just got back from showing it at the Queens International Film Festival in New York City. "Vikings vs. Zombies" really is not like our typical kind of work. [Seymour] is known mostly for his horror films, which is what he's made his living off of. [Syler] and I both wrote the script—he's also my cinematographer. And there are roughly six people involved with the company. We're all about making truly independent movies. Nothing's being manipulated by a larger production company. We're trying to make some kind of small success off movies that are completely and totally made independently. That's why we're really lucky to be working with [Seymour's] company, Hale Manor. They have the same sort of vision that we do. With all the attention "Vikings vs. Zombies" seems to be getting, it looks like the movie is going to be pretty epic.

Can you tell us a little more about the film?
It's a survival horror film, just like any other zombie movie, but with Vikings. To my knowledge it hasn't been done before. The Vikings are in middle of a raid, and when they're making their escape, the people they've raided begin to come after them. ... There's actually some mythology behind the story that exists in old Viking lore. It was believed that the souls of Vikings would actually go into the graves of dead warriors. ... It's going to be balls-to-wall action and gore. It should be pretty entertaining. We're definitely having a lot of fun making it. We're not trying to be thought-provoking [laughs]. It's a nice departure from what we usually do.

You mentioned the fundraiser became more than what you were expecting. What were you expecting?
We contacted a bunch of bands but we didn't think any of them would respond. But they all did [laughs]. But once Pabst got involved, thanks to Bob Miller, It kind of inspired us. And if we ever want to make another project like this again, we know we can round up the resources to pull it off. I thought about originally just doing a car wash, and this is what we have now [laughs]. And every band has contacted us and said they're going to dress up. It's going to be crazy fun.

Why do you think the interest has gotten as big as it has?
Zombies are big now, especially with the successful release of films like "Zombieland." It's a buzzword. So I knew that we had something that could be big. Everyone loves zombies because they're mindless and goofy and scary. And Vikings are getting attention because of the new film Mel Gibson is making with Leonardo DiCaprio (an untitled period film that's set to start filming in the fall). And everyone likes music and free beer and craziness [laughs].

 The "Vikings vs. Zombies" Fundraiser Extravaganza (featuring Dane Terry, Karate Coyote, Sleepers Awake, and may more) kicks of 6 p.m. Saturday at Junctionview Studios. Admission is $10. For more information visit the "Vikings vs. Zombies" Website.