Moving right along, we've got another of our groovy Zombiteers doin' the 3 question thing. Liz came to us in our second year, operating wheely set pieces & winning us all over with her enthusiasm. When Josh stepped up to direct, she was the only choice to take over Tommy.
Aaaand...it turns out Our Liz is a gifted seamstress. As a result, we drafted her to lead the rebuilding of the cast. Zombie puppets have never looked better.
She's a swell chef, too.
1) What was your familiarity with Night of the Living Dead (or zombie movies in general), or for that matter, Puppetry, before you got involved with this production?
I always loved zombie movies except the original Night of the Living Dead, I saw it when I was about 4 or so and it scared the living hell out of me to the point I still can't watch it to this day, I've tried many times but within the first 20 minutes I have to turn it off or walk away. I do really love zombie movies though so long as the make-up/ special effects are decent. I have no back ground at all in puppetry but I have always like to sew.
2) You've stepped up as Head Seamstress for the rebuild. What sort of changes have you made in the puppet design?
I'm trying to make the puppets more durable and easier to use. Instead of a paper mache approach we're making them from mainly foam and fleece so they're mouths are easier to manipulate and we can get a little more detailed with features, also so repairs are easier.
3) You'll be taking over the role of Tommy this year. What direction are you thinking of taking the charcter?
Honestly I have no idea, I haven't been able to watch the movie in years so I don't remember what the character was like. I'm pretty much taking my cues from Josh performance sans funny voice. From what I've seen he's just a kid- a little confused, eager to please and trying to get into his girlfriends pants.... which sounds like me most days. I'm just hoping I don't botch it up so badly that I get turned back into the doorway.
