THE CREW
Matthew Thompson (The Director): Originally from Minnesota, Matthew knew he wanted to make films since he first saw "The Fellowship of the Ring" in 2001. After making several short films he had his first break in the business as the cinematographer of the independent feautre Trickery Mimicry (Dir. Garrett Tiedamann). Since then he has moved to Philadelphia to study film and video production and screenwriting at Drexel University. He has directed and shot many short films and worked on numerous independent productions, and his work has screened at several festivals. "Hollywood Zombies" is his thesis film at Drexel and he's pouring all his talent and experience into it. He has spent over a year preparing for and shooting the film, and is now involved in post production not only as the director but also the post sound mixer. He also has a cameo appearance in Hollywood Zombies.
www.matthewgthompson.com
www.imdb.com/name/nm3180714
Michael Long (Cinematographer): Also a senior at Drexel university, Michael comes from a strong background of stage productions as both an actor and technician. He also has a vast amount of experience with lighting and practical effects, which he put to full use on Hollywood Zombies. Harkening back to classics such as Dawn of the Dead, Day for Night, Living in Oblivion, and the Evil Dead movies, as well as modern films such as Shaun of the Dead, he creates the world of "Hollywood Zombies" through his camera work utilizing an incredible range of cinematic techniques. He is also currently hard at work editing his own senior thesis film, "In Real Life."
Mandy Freas (Producer):
Though only in the start of her Sophomore year at Drexel at the start of Hollywood Zombies, Amanda was a skilled Producer who was excited to work on a film of this magnitude. Personable, easy to talk to, and a stickler for details Amanda played a key behind-the-scenes role securing funding, gathering resources, keeping track of paperwork and organizing the production. Since her work on Hollywood Zombies Mandy has gone on to produce a number of other short films.
Lauren Ott (Editor):
Lauren was also a surprise find for the production. Hearing the production was in need of an editor she sought the production heads out and offered her services. Though still new to film editing Lauren had undeniable talent and a great sense of timing, winning over the Director with a sample trailer in which she makes the popular show "Glee" look like a horror film. Her sense of devious fun was a perfect fit for Hollywood Zombies and she proved invaluable on set as well, keeping track of the data management while shooting. Since Hollywood Zombies she has become one of the "go-to" editors at Drexel, working on senior films, independent projects, and now working as an editor at The American College's production studio.
Corwyn Johnson (Associate Producer): Corwyn Johnson is an actor, producer, still photographer, and special
film-making since he was 14 years old. A graduate from Drexel
University’s Film and Video program, Corwyn has been involved with a
number of projects along the way. His past endeavors include American Idol, Transformers 2: Revenge of
the Fallen, as well as a multitude of interviews with actors and
actresses through the radio station WKDU Philadelphia 91.7FM program
The Pretentious Film Majors. He has also worked on several independent
and student productions. He has worked with several Philadelphia
companies including Heery Casting, The Philadelphia Film Society, WKDU
91.7FM, and many more! He looks forward to seeing what will happen with Hollywood Zombies!
Michael Ryan (Assistant Director): Mike "Skippy" Ryan doubts he ever watched a zombie film before coming to
college, and certainly never foresaw himself Assistant Directing one in
his senior year. However, he has known and worked with Matt Thompson
since he was a freshman so when Matt asked him to AD his thesis film
Mike was both excited and nervous. He knew if Matt was behind it, the
project would definitely be one to remember, but Mike had also never
Assistant Directed before as he tended to work more as a gaffer, mixer
or editor. Hollywood Zombies was a fantastic film to work on and Mike
is proud to have been a part of it.
Lindsey Nagle (Makeup and Character Design):
You can't have a zombie movie without great make-up, so when we put out a call for make-up artsits Lindsey answered and blew us away. A resident of the Philadelphia suburbs Lindsey is a talented make-up artist. She is particularly skilled at zombies, having worked several years at the famed Terror Behind the Walls haunted house in Philadelphia's Eastern State Pennitentary. Lindsey worked for several months with the Director and Cinematographer designing make-up, creatures, and effects, as well as training a staff of Drexel Students to help her create the zombies that populate the film.
Alila Cornelius-Jordan (Art Direction):
Also a senior at Drexel University and a Philadelphia native, Alila proved instrumental in knowing where to go to get the materials needed to create the look of the film. Having worked as an organizer for several other films as well as large film events such as the Philadelphia Q-fest, she knew good films are all about the details, and Alila made sure everywhere you looked in Hollywood Zombies was rich with production design. Her own senior film, "Shovel Buddies," premiered alongside Hollywood Zombies at Drexel's Senior Show. She now works as a Freelance filmmaker in the Philadelphia area.
Matt Bowen (B-Unit Operator, 1st AC, human Swiss Army Knife): Matt Bowen is a Camera Operator/Assistant who got his first job as an AC
on the sports-reality series, "The Ride." Since then he has worked
mostly on student projects & small independent productions,
including three Drexel-student senior projects, while working towards
his Electronic Arts degree with a dual concentration in Film &
Animation at Rutgers University-Camden. He's thrilled to be a part of
"Hollywood Zombies," and can't wait to work with the same brilliant crew
in future productions.
Zach Robbin (Gaffer):
A fellow senior at Drexel, Zach Robbin is one of the first people to turn to when you need stunning, and efficient lighting. Having worked on countless short films and other productions as a gaffer, camera op, or DP Zach has an unparalleled ability know how the light from different sources will fill, mix, and play in a scene. The Dramatic lighting throughout the film, particularly in the church scenes, were of Zach's design. Since Hollywood Zombies Zach has gone on to do lighting and camera work on the Emmy award winning show "Off Campus," as well as work on numerous other projects.
Tom Quigley (Gaffer): Tom Quigley lived in Buffalo, NY, and then realized that there is no
film in Buffalo, NY. He then attended school at Drexel University and
got his degree in film, and has been enjoying the Philadelphia film
scene ever since. He has worked on such productions as American Idol,
Rhymes with Banana, and Crimson Tear. He often does freelance work with
philly.com and shoreline productions. He very much enjoys feature films and looks forward to working on more of them.
Adam Rothstein (Gaffer): Adam Rothstein attended Drexel University for Architectural Engineering,
but withdrew days before the outbreak exploded from one of the chemical
labs. His dreams and aspirations of film production dashed upon the
harsh landscape of this strange, infested world, he now spends most of
his time holed up in a bunker on top of Bossone. His only company is a
bolt-action M40A3, a samurai sword, and a diminishing supply of Hot
Fudge Sundae Pop Tarts®.
Rich Mach (Production Sound):
An award winning sound mixer, Richard Mach is a good friend of the Director and was one of the first people to volunteer his services for Hollywood Zombies. Since the film he has gone on to expand his skillset to include camera operator, producer, and steadicam driver, but sound is still his passion. He is largely responsible for the soundtrack of Drexel's Emmy winning student run television show, Off Campus.
Rachel Fleiss (Production Sound):
Another rising star at Drexel, Rachel became one of the school's premier sound mixers early in her freshman year, outpacing upperclassmen in her ability to capture great production sound and keep everyone entertained on set while doing it. She currently works as a sound mixer at a production company in Virginia for her co-op, but looks forward to returning to Drexel and working on her own and other senior films.
Geena Sundaram (Visual Effects):
Back in 2007 Geena started Drexel in the same class as the Director as a filmmaker. It became soon apparent to her though that her passion lied on in filmmaking but in the digital artistry and graphics that help make films great. She changed her major to Digital Media and began learning the arts of visual effects. Still maintaining strong ties to her friends in the film department at Drexel, she was the obvious choice of who to come to when the film needed titles and effects work. Geena is now in her senior year at Drexel.
Chip Murphy (Colorist):
Charlie Murphy is a professional colorist and filmmaker as well as a former student at Drexel university. He has worked for numerous production and production companies, serving as a colorist at NFL Films, crew chief at Paul F. Harron Studios. Along with Hollywood Zombies, Chip color corrected over twenty senior films, was the Director of Photography for 4, and the projectionist for the senior show. He now works in Philadelphia as an independent filmmaker and editing supervisor at Drexel.
OTHER CREW:
Janelle Kaufman - Set Design/Construction
Jim Schminke - Executive Producer
Steve Anderson - Executive Producer
Richard Plum - Associate Producer
Patrick Hagerty - Associate Producer
Harrison Taylor Johnson - Wardrobe Head
Sam Moskowitz - Grip
Justin Lee - Grip
Tom Caswell - Grip
Alex Curro - Grip, Makeup artist
Tyler Costil - Grip, Makeup artst
Julie Klien - Makeup Artist
Brighton Helms - Scripty
Ryan padden - Effects Supervisor, Makeup Artist
Caitlyn Witicker - Boom op
Neal Thorson - Sound
Mairin McKinlay - Boom op
Jon Worth - Grip
Ilana Bagle - Grip
Shivaun McGoff - Calligrapher
