UC grads produce zombie horror flick

Amanda Powell

4 November 2011: A crowd-funding campaign has been launched on the spookiest day of the year to raise funds to produce a new Canberra feature film titled Theatre of the Dead.

The zombie horror film will be directed by Patrick J Gallagher and produced by University of Canberra graduates Daniel Sanguineti and John Cougar and was launched on Halloween.

The film features a dance troupe rehearsing on stage at The Erindale Theatre unaware of the rapid and shocking changes taking place in the world outside. Trapped inside the theatre by a horde of the living dead, they must decide between staying and hoping for rescue or making a break for it.

Theatre of the Dead is the first project of the recently-formed Canberra Feature Film Coalition (CFFC) which was conceived by University of Canberra staff member and director/producer of Clear Vision Films Warren Coulton.

“Our aim is to produce a slate of successful projects to create a sustainable feature film industry in Canberra,” Mr Cougar said, who studied, then taught computer engineering at the University of Canberra.

L-R: Daniel Sanguineti, Patrick J Gallagher and John Cougar with concept zombies. Photographer: Michelle McAulay

The CFFC includes filmmakers, actors, students and writers who work together on horror, action and comedy films.

The film is currently in pre-production stage, where the film’s creative blueprint is developed and business decisions are made, such as how the film will be paid for and how the money will be recouped once the film is completed.

The film will be funded through a combination of direct investment, deferred payments to cast and crew, producer investment and crowd funding.

Producers hope to raise $15,000 through a crowd funding campaign, which will help pay for theatre hire and use, make up and effects, wardrobe and props.

Contributions start from $10 up to $500 with supporters receiving rewards for their contribution. The rewards include digital frames taken from the film, photographic prints, set tours and even sponsoring your own zombie.

“We want to cater for all levels of zombie fans,” Mr Sanguineti explains.

“I think that deep down zombies are simple to watch and you just get them. We’ve spent ages trying to work out our zombies. It’s just really exciting to be able to tell their story,” Mr Sanguineti said.

A concept zombie launches the crowd-funding campaign on IndieGoGo with producer Daniel Sanguineti. Photographer: Michelle McAulay

Mr Sanguineti said his passion for the arts comes from his granddad who is a well-known artist in Wollongong.

“My granddad gave me a video camera when I was 12 and it just started from there. I think being able to tell a story through film is something that comes naturally to me and it’s just something I love doing,” he said.

The 26-year-old also enjoys writing and is currently studying a Masters of Creative Writing at the University of Canberra. He also graduated with a Bachelor of Communication in Media and TV Production in 2005.

Mr Cougar said there has been significant interest in the film so far with a number of direct investors already pledging their support and a good turnout at auditions.

“We had an 8-1 casting ratio for the lead roles which is great,” he said.

Producers hope to start filming early next year. The crowd-funding campaign has already raised $1,800.

To donate to the film visit http://www.indiegogo.com/Theatre-of-the-Dead

For more information on the film visit http://theatreofthedead.com.au