Actor and producer Kyle Hester’s next project, Zombie with a Shotgun recently launched an indiegogo campaign to help bring the web series to the silver screen. Kyle chatted with Comix Asylum about the film, crowdsourcing and the joys of independent filmmaking.
SB: Tell us a little bit about Zombie with a Shotgun.
KH: Zombie with a Shotgun is a new twist on the zombie genre and Hilton Ruiz has already done five webisodes of it on the web which lays out a bit of the storyline so the film will be based on that. It’s going to be exciting and I play Sheriff Hank Ray in it so I’m looking forward to it all. It’s going to be a lot of fun and it gets into what the zombie virus is, where it comes from and possible nefarious actions – but I don’t want to get into that because I don’t want to give away too much of the plot.
SB: As you mentioned it turns the tables on what we’ve come to expect from the genre and takes it from a zombie’s point of view. What’s your take on that in terms of switching it where the good guys are now the bad guys and vice versa?
KH: I think that every good guy thinks they’re the good guy and every bad guy thinks they’re the good guy. If you think of it from that perspective it’s like who’s really the bad guy in this particular situation? I do hear what you’re saying because on the face of it it looks like the zombies are the good guys so that is part of the thing that twists the story on it’s ear a little bit.
SB: So you’re playing Sheriff Hank Ray. What can you tell us about him?
KH: Sheriff Ray is a no nonsense kind of guy who wants what he thinks is right. This creates a lot of inner conflict of doing the right thing even if it doesn’t feel like it’s the right thing. It’s complex and he and Aaron, the zombie, are adversaries and they might become friends later, but you don’t know. There’s a good character arc to it so I’m excited to play it.
SB: Who came up with the concept for Zombie with a Shotgun?
KH: Hilton Ruiz is the creator and will be directing it. I’m helping to produce it because we’re going to be shooting here in L.A. I know people here and Hilton’s not from L.A. so I’ll be producing it here.
SB: What’s it like wearing both hats?
KH: Crazy (laughs). To say the least it is crazy because you have your hands full. There’s a lot to do and basically all of the questions come to you. You’re in charge of everything and it’s a big responsibility.
SB: Can you give us some insight into what it’s like being part of an independent film like Zombie with a Shotgun and the challenges you face trying to get a project like this off the ground?
KH: First of all you have to have a love and a passion for what you do. Crowdfunding is a 24/7 job. You’ll see me posting all the time on line because people aren’t always in front of their computers so you have to get them while they’re there. That being said, Hilton and I are on the computer all the time just for that reason. We’re on our phones, computers, reaching out, tweeting, direct messaging, whatever it takes to contact people who would like to come on, help independent film and get some swag from the indiegogo campaign. It’s an all-encompassing job for sure.
SB: I can imagine. It’s like doing this magazine because when it’s independent it’s just you.
KH: Yup, it all falls to you. With the creatives who are independent you don’t have the big money behind you to advertise and to get you on TV and in commercials. You’re kicking and scratching for everything and it’s the same things with these films. That’s why the support from people is the only way to make things happen. None of this comes from Hollywood money or big backers so it’s really a fan driven project.
SB: So you’ve mentioned the indiegogo campaign. How is that going and can you give us a little bit of information about it?
KH: Absolutely! Zombie with a Shotgun is on indiegogo right now and it’s been going on for about two and a half weeks. Our goal is to get beyond $35,000 so that it goes into in demand on indiegogo, which is what happens when you pass your goal. Basically, we’re going to need as much as we can get because 35 grand isn’t quite enough to make a film. So we’re going to have to push past it. Right now we’re over 10 grand and have about six weeks to go so we’re chugging right along. People are pitching in everyday and sometimes we get surprised and it’ll be like, “Oh my God somebody just got a zombie perk!” Everybody is pitching in with $7 and $10 donations and those all add up. We are really appreciative of all of the support.
SB: If I can ask, how far along are you with the project?
KH: If wishes were fishes, we’re shooting this summer. This will be a relatively fast turnaround because we have to get this done and can’t sit on it. That’s why the crowdfunding is so important right now because it allows us to stay on track for getting this thing shot in August.
SB: I’ve also spotted some artwork on your Facebook and indiegogo pages. Are there any plans to turn it into a comic book.
KH: I believe so. I believe that that’s a big part of what Hilton is doing. He’s making a graphic novel out of it and that’s in progress right now with his artist.
SB: Well it would be a great companion piece when you think about it.
KH: Absolutely! I’m excited for it.
SB: Lastly, for those who are interested can you give us some information on how to contribute to your indiegogo campaign?
KH: Basically if you go to the Twitter page that’s the best place to get the link unless you go to indiegogo directly and look up Zombie with a Shotgun. Just click on the link and check out the videos that are up there. On the right side of the screen there are all these little buttons that’ll explain what you’ll get for each perk, whether its signed artwork, t-shirts, the DVD, or the streaming link for $25. There’s a lot of stuff so it’s not like you’re giving money. You’re actually getting something for it. It’s like a store that’s funding the film, so please support the Zombie with a Shotgun store to help make this film happen (laughs).
SB: (laughs) That’s a good way of putting it. It was great talking to you, best of luck with the campaign and I’m looking forward to the film when it’s completed.
KH: Thanks and much appreciated.
Zombie with a Shotgun’s indiegogo campaign can be found here and comes to a close at the end of June.
