The Making of UNDEAD illustrated the many challenges of film making. Based on this text, what in your opinion proved to be the most challenging aspects of the production process. You are to discuss these challenges at each of the three stages of production.
You are also to discuss what challenges you envisage for your own production in Term 4.
The film, Undead, is an Australian horror/comedy about Zombies taking over a small fishing village after a meteorite shower. The screenplay was written and directed by brothers Michael and Peter Spierig, who took on other various roles, including producer and editor during the production processes of the film, which overall took 2 and a half years. The making of the Undead explored all the challenges and difficulties the cast and crew had to overcome in order to create a successful film. The film budget in particular, was demonstrated to be the most difficult aspect to rise above.
The film was entirely funded by the Spierig brothers and their family and friends, showing that early on in the development of the film; they were already battling with money troubles. Due to budget restraints, every detail of the film had to be carefully planned out during the pre-production stage of Undead, which took over eight months to complete before principle photography began. The cautious planning demonstrates that there was no room for mistakes or trial and error, causing pressure and stress to organise every aspect of the film to a satisfactory level.
The production stage, which involved principle photography, took 41 days and began on August 6th 2001. Unfortunately, the budget ran out on the first day of shooting due to creating interior locations from scratch and having to create hundreds of makeup effect appliances, which was a daunting and exhausting process which took 10 weeks to complete. However, budget restraints was not the only issue to overcome during the production stage, many members of the cast and crew became sick and unable to work due to working in extremely cold conditions and at night. This caused more money and time to be wasted. Once principle photography was completed, additional photography ran for 19 days, and because crew members were limited, shooting became a difficult and extremely long process. The most challenging aspect to overcome included shooting a car accident at night.
Post-production involved 8 months of constant work, cutting and editing the film using only Peter and Michael’s laptop. Overall, it was has been said that creating the visual effects was the most difficult obstacle to achieve , which was both a draining and frustrating procedure for Michael and Peter, who were both the editors and sound designers for the film.
Even though the making of Undead was a long, complicated and very exhausting film to create, with many challenges including budget problems, lack of resources and sickness, the movie turned out to become a successful, low budget Australian film in the horror genre. After investigating the challenges the crew of Undead had to overcome, I believe that lacking a reasonable budget and having little experience with visual and sound effects will be the most challenging phase for myself and my group to experience when completing our own production. To rise above these issues and complete a successful movie, it will take a lot of hard work, determination and creativity from all members of the crew.
