Zombie
Meister Productions is a film production company that began out of
necessity. Southern Indiana filmmaker Ray Cart began as a writer before
taking an interest in film. He would toss around ideas with friends
for movies and then began to convert those into treatments and rough
drafts. After completing his first screenplay The Contractors and
entering it into various screenplay contests to no avail, he decided to
shoot the film himself.
"It
took me three years and two failed films to learn how film production
works," says Cart. Don’t get me wrong, if you want to learn how to
make a movie, do what I did. Write a script, buy a camera, and shoot a
film. Just be prepared to suffer and go broke. Your first film will
suck. If you’re lucky your second film won’t suck so bad. By the time
you get to the third film - you’ve figured out what you did wrong before
and how not to do it again."
Ray
Cart is now filming his third film titled Queens of the Dead, which is a
zombie comedy. Cart says that approximately 400+ zombie movies are
made every year. Out of all of those, he believes that maybe two have
some original premise or story line, but he believes this one is
original. He goes on to say that anyone that loves zombie movies will
be rolling with laughter. He says he got to work with an extremely
talented cast; “ Josh Kroll, Justin Heim, Benjamin Wood and Heather
Maffet are all terrific.”
Cart
chooses to continue to remain an Indiana filmmaker. He believes that
the Kentuckiana area has a great independent film scene. One of the
reasons for this is how supportive New Albany has been. There are a
number of small independent film production groups in Louisville and
Southern Indiana making short and feature length films including
Feathered Italian Films, Dogged Dream Creations, and Just In Time Films.
Many people do not realize that Jefferson Community College offers a
certificate program in video making.
Cart
feels he owes a debt of gratitude to his wife, Jennifer, who " suffers
almost as much for his art as he does”. He also relies heavily on his
crew members, which include his partner Jack Bobo and Louisville Fx
Artist Jesse Meyer. Marion Ballard helps with computer animations,
while Ken Kravens was the cinematographer and editor. Mike Reed scores
the music for all of Cart's films.
"
I honestly think that indie films are the only real venue left for
original movies, that are not remakes, or rewrites, or sequels. Sorry
folks, there won’t be a Queens of the Dead 2. But don’t worry, I’ve got 4
more zombie scripts just waiting their turn. "
Cinematography isn't quite finished with this film yet. He still needs about 300
zombies for scenes to be shot on Sunday, September 19. Cart's need for
zombies slides in right on time for the release of my latest music
video, Dead World. The release of my video will be celebrated with a
zombie party on Thursday, September 16 at Steinert's Pub and Grill in
New Albany, and Cart will be on hand to sign up interested parties
for Sunday's shoot.
Everyone
is encouraged to come as zombies, hunters or victims on the 16th and
there will be a prize for the best costume in each category.
Make up
artists will be on hand from 4 - 7 pm for anyone who needs help ($10 per
person). The release party is free to attend and will begin at 7:30 pm
with a screening of the video for an all ages crowd with some prize
give aways. At promptly 8:30, all zombies, hunters and victims will
do a "zombie walk" around the neighborhood surrounding Steinerts.
When
everyone makes it back to Steinert's, a 21 plus show will begin. The
night will be full with music by OK Zombie, comedy by Chris Crowder ,
performances by an array of guests, another screening of Dead World, and
numerous prizes and giveaways. Psychomania Haunted House will also be
in attendance with their automated hearse simulator.
Psychomania
Haunted House is in an old movie theater in Clarksville (in the parking
lot of the Green Tree Mall). They are open from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m,
September 24 through October 31. More information can be found at
ttp://www.theaterofterror.com/
Photo: Ray Cart and Adrielle Perkins during a shoot in 2009. Photo Courtesy of Ray Cart
