Z Nation invades Lilac City Comicon
Karl Schaefer, Daniel Schaefer and J.D. McKee participated in an impromptu session about Z Nation at Lilac City Comicon on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Z Nation films in Spokane, and the 3 were not sure their schedule would allow them to be at Lilac City Comicon. Fortunately, they were available, and another guest canceled out of the con because of an acting engagement.
“Spokane is a lovely, amazing town,” says Daniel Schaefer, “but we don’t get to go there.” Instead, the cast and crew often find themselves in the derelict parts of the city, spaces that look like they belong in the apocalypse. A notable exception will be the filming that takes place inside Spokane’s Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC).
McKee, a Spokane native, worked his way up in the show to become a director for the show. He is also involved with the effects department and started a VFX company because of the show.
“One of the great things” about Z Nation, says cocreator Karl Schaefer, “is watching people start out as filmmakers.”
The varieties of zombies set Z Nation apart from other zombie shows. Most of the ideas for new types of zombies come from the storyline itself. The Bedazzled Zs took 14 hours to do; they started with a prefabricated latex mask that was bedazzled before it was applied. The Phytozombie took 8 hours. Other crew favorites include the blasters, Patient Zero and the zombies in the lab.
“They’re all pretty cool,” says Karl Schaefer.
Aside from the upcoming shoot, Z Nation is partnering with the MAC over the summer. There will be props and artifacts from the show as well as informational sessions and tutorials. People in Washington looking to break into show business may find these sessions invaluable. Karl Schaefer calls the exhibition a “mini version of the Universal Studios tour.” There will be zombie auditions on June 17 and 18, 2017.
“It seems like a lot of fun being an extra,” and it is, says Karl Schaefer, “but it’s hard work.”
Read my review of Z Nation season 1.
Read about Russell Hodgkinson's panel at Emerald Valley Comic Fest 2015
“Spokane is a lovely, amazing town,” says Daniel Schaefer, “but we don’t get to go there.” Instead, the cast and crew often find themselves in the derelict parts of the city, spaces that look like they belong in the apocalypse. A notable exception will be the filming that takes place inside Spokane’s Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC).
McKee, a Spokane native, worked his way up in the show to become a director for the show. He is also involved with the effects department and started a VFX company because of the show.
“One of the great things” about Z Nation, says cocreator Karl Schaefer, “is watching people start out as filmmakers.”
The varieties of zombies set Z Nation apart from other zombie shows. Most of the ideas for new types of zombies come from the storyline itself. The Bedazzled Zs took 14 hours to do; they started with a prefabricated latex mask that was bedazzled before it was applied. The Phytozombie took 8 hours. Other crew favorites include the blasters, Patient Zero and the zombies in the lab.
“They’re all pretty cool,” says Karl Schaefer.
Aside from the upcoming shoot, Z Nation is partnering with the MAC over the summer. There will be props and artifacts from the show as well as informational sessions and tutorials. People in Washington looking to break into show business may find these sessions invaluable. Karl Schaefer calls the exhibition a “mini version of the Universal Studios tour.” There will be zombie auditions on June 17 and 18, 2017.
“It seems like a lot of fun being an extra,” and it is, says Karl Schaefer, “but it’s hard work.”
Read my review of Z Nation season 1.
Read about Russell Hodgkinson's panel at Emerald Valley Comic Fest 2015