From local film-maker William Robinette:
I sat down at the top of October last year to write out a short that could play at the Byrd Zombie Festival that was going on around Halloween. Things ended up getting very busy and I shelved the project until January, when I showed it to Ben Price, with whom I have made several films before. His first reaction–as well as that of others as we built a cast and crew–upon hearing it was a “zombie” film was not one full of enthusiasm. However, once everyone got a chance to read the script, they seemed to warm up to it and really dedicated a lot of time to the project. I think the fact that it isn’t a standard zombie film helped a great deal.
From local film-maker William Robinette:
I sat down at the top of October last year to write out a short that could play at the Byrd Zombie Festival that was going on around Halloween. Things ended up getting very busy and I shelved the project until January, when I showed it to Ben Price, with whom I have made several films before. His first reaction–as well as that of others as we built a cast and crew–upon hearing it was a “zombie” film was not one full of enthusiasm. However, once everyone got a chance to read the script, they seemed to warm up to it and really dedicated a lot of time to the project. I think the fact that it isn’t a standard zombie film helped a great deal.
We spent a week prior to filming doing make-up tests and costume design for our two leads. Filming took place here around Richmond in January over the course of two weekends, for a total of three shooting days. Both Shane and Ally (our two leads) came in with no real acting experience, but they were fantastic to work with. Both of them threw themselves into the roles, and I think they did an outstanding job; especially since they had to accomplish everything with just body and eye movement and facial expressions, because there is no dialogue. I did the post-editing myself, and a week after we finished shooting, we had the final seven-minute piece complete and out into the world. I think everyone who worked on Reach did a wonderful job, and I believe we finished with something everyone is proud of.
