Wretched Flesh and Next Exit: two local film projects that are infectious - By N.L. Belardes

I love zombie movies. Flying high after seeing the terrifying 28 Weeks Later over the weekend, now it’s time to get into a little Bakersfield zombie action.

Who would have thought a cheesy zombie movie by Hectic Films would be one of the best film projects ever for local Bakersfield filmmakers?


Zombies need food too!
The locally made Bakersfield film, Wretched Flesh has brought together half a dozen filmmakers to act, help film, bring equipment and skills, and literally, help create what’s going to be Bakersfield’s contribution to zombie filmmaking lore.

Hectic Films, Vindictive Films, Shamrock Films and Dirty Spanglish, Stupid Kid Productions, Poop Productions, some guy named Walter and more...

Although a zombie-filled film of high body counts and blood lust, it’s the biggest community filmmaking project I’ve seen. Rickey Bird of Hectic Films says, “Local filmmakers are taking different roles in the making of the film. Whether they’re acting, helping out with animation or filming, or just loaning equipment, filmmakers are coming together to make this happen.”


Hectic Films recruits Bakersfield area bands for zombie music

Well, it’s not the biggest Bakersfield film ever in budget size, or size of production. But on the set May 20th at the Downtowner Inn, you can expect to see dozens of zombies moaning and slashing their way around the set.


There's also another zombie acting class Tuesday, May 15th

It’s a cool community effort zombie film. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?

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Bakersfield filmmaker, Matt Kieley

In other local filmmaking news, Bakersfield filmmaker, Matthew Kieley has undertaken a huge project in the shape of a feature film called Next Exit. I just received the fourth version of the script and will play a tiny role at as a professor. I recently prodded Matt to join Bakotopia to help get the word out about what he’s doing. He’s been writing prolifically over there.

Matt wrote a lengthy diatribe about his new movie, how his script evolved and is a great piece to read that gets into the mind of a young filmmaker. Here’s an excerpt:

So here I am, in May of 2007 writing this essay about the process of writing a screenplay. It's been about eight months, and I've written four drafts. Granted, I haven't spent every day over the course of the eight months writing--in fact, each draft itself hasn't taken long to write--but I've spent eight months soul-searching, and trying to tell a brutally honest story about myself, my life, my freinds, my thoughts, my emotions, and I feel I've accomplished at least that. I've spent these eight months thing really hard about what I really wanted to say and how I would say it, about who I am, which in turn tells me who the characters are. I've spent eight months despising the work I've done, and being driven to make it better, to make it honest, to make it real, and true to myself.

In his second Bakotopia post, he wrote:

I don't have much of a cast yet for the film. I have Andrew Price and N.L. Belardes. I don't know what I'm going to do. I asked Roger Mathey of the Spotlight Theatre if he could find actors for me and set up some auditions like with "Seeing Red" he said okay, but I had a strong feeling he really didn't want to. I'm not blaming him. He's busy… I don't want to just cast anyone. I need the right cast. Acting cannot be overlooked. It's very important, especially for such a dialogue-heavy character based film.

He got a response from his first myspace message out to the community and then wrote:

I got a comment from the BCT myspace in response to one where I asked if they had any actors I could borrow. I was only half-serious because I didn't think I'd actually get a reply. But lo and behold, they replied saying "Tell me what you need--we have a lot of actors who might be interested in what you're offering". That's a paraphrase, but pretty close. Hopefully something will actually happen from this. I did the same thing with the empty space myspace as well. Here's hoping lightning will strike twice.

Where’s Next Exit going? I’m uncertain. I can’t help but support such a creative and noble effort. It’s not about how good or bad the script may be. It’s about seeing if this kid can pull it off.

Hectic Films Zombie movie production is gonna eat you - By N.L. Belardes

Yes, you can be a zombie.

Hectic Films had their first meeting in pre-production for their short film Wretched Flesh. Don't you just love that title? It's almost like you know what to expect: a film with a body count.


Be afraid of the buckle

Get all the info you need by clicking here... Don't forget Tuesday night's zombie acting class. It's almost worth getting involved just so you can say you had professional zombie training lessons.


Rickey Bird talks to Mikee Lee, a zombie Steelers fan


Filming at an old motel? Gotta love it.


There are lots of filmmakers involved besides Hectic Films.
Vindictive Films, Meatydish Productions, Walter of... oh crud,
don't know his film company, and Lando of
Shamrock Films/Bighead Productions


And don't forget about the mystery case...

Hectic Films to meet community over zombie film, Wretched Flesh - By N.L. Belardes

Yes, they're working on a new film short. Yes, it's about zombies. Yes, I have read the script. Yes, it has potential... it's a decent plot, with some rather fun twists... and rather appropriate zombie carnage...

Click for details...

Zombies and farmworkers - By N.L. Belardes

While Hectic Films is looking for zombies and zombie make-up artists, Norma Takahashi tipped me off to a farmworker fundraiser:

This event is finally HERE! It's on Sunday. On Encina street in Visalia, next to the Fox Theater (off Main St) The street will be closed off from 2:00-10:00 for a great cause and fun FUN fun! So please put it on your calendars and plan on showing up. It’s a great cause and besides .. it will be tons of FUN. Did I mention FUN?

It's going to be an awesome event! Different style bands are playing from Reggae to Punk, to Latin Soul... The flyer attached was the original flyer sent out. More bands of different types of music have been added since. Plan on dancing the evening away from 6:00- 10:00 with Mezcal and Grupo Califas. Rock the day away with a bunch of other awesome local bands!

There will be art on display, donated art for sale, the raffle donations are turning out to be awesome AWESOME! ( I won't tell you what they are ... you just GO and find out for yourself)

Please forward this email to everyone in the Central Valley that is on your friends list. You may not be interested... and you might think your friends won't be either but if even just ONE of your friends shows up... that's one more person that would have known about it if you didn't repost! I’ve heard a few of these bands perform through their myspace profiles, and believe me… there is something for EVERYONE! You’ll feel like you’re at some cool trendy beach town’s farmers market…. With tons of food booths! ART! Raffles! FUN!

For details: wethepeoplevisalia@yahoo.com or go to myspace.com/visaliawethepeople