Night of the Living Dead

UNC Greensboro School of Theatre

Sprinkle Theatre

Projections and Scenic Design

October 2023

Night of the Living Dead was considered my Capstone (Thesis) Production for my B.F.A in Drama with a concentration in Technology and Design for Theatre. I acted as both scenic and projections designer. Additionally, this is the first scenic design position I have ever held.

Upcoming: The work put into this show is being presented in the SETC 2024 Design Competition under both Projections Design and Scenic Design in March.

IMG_1801.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — In action picture of the transition to the cellar. Character "Harry" could sit on the wall and be moved with it.

IMG_1485.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Radio Scene [Pre-recorded footage] - Photo by Becky Vanderveen

IMG_1806.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Helen and Harry argue in the cellar.

notld-87.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Argument in Living Room. Note the projected textures and the boards on the door that get kicked in

IMG_1800.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Show opening: Zombie rising from the grave. Photo by Sean Norona

Mid-transition into the television scene. The entire revolve does a 180

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0184-Enhanced-.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Zombie Karen stabs her mother Helen in Cellar

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0292.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Zombie Attack with projected visuals behind

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0320.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Car explosion scene. The yard is on fire

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0531-Enhanced-.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Johnny and Barbara in the cemetary

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0111.jpg (Copy) (Copy)

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0240.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — News reporter in the field with projected surroundings

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0506-Enhanced-.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Barbara and Johnny enter the cemetery

PIC40633-THE_NIGHT_OF_THE_LIVING_DEAD_PHOTO_CALL_0336-Enhanced-.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — TV News station sequence in transition

notld-54.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Zombies busting through window

notld-70.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — TV sequence transition

notld-112.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Zombie attack with assisting media projections

notld-120.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Alternate angle for news cast in the feild

notld-139.jpg (Copy) (Copy) — Zombies break down door with boards on it.

Projections Design

Mock up of television projections on Blender model

Filming Process:

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Filming Days:

This was the first shoot of the production. It took place on a scouted location outside a 1960s house and involved all the zombie actors. All actors needed to report to makeup and costumes beforehand to get higher contrast makeup.
On site, I used a AG-CX350 Panasonic Camera and a Mavic Air II Drone to capture footage.
Our goal was to recreate the single light source appearance of the original film.
Click Here to See Call Sheet
This film shoot took place on-site at the 1960s house and the surrounding fields. It was with a single actress and required more specific makeup and costumes to ensure she would look the same as when the play was showing.
This sequence was also shot with a Panasonic camera and a DJI Mavic Air II Drone.
Click Here to See Call Sheet
To film the radio, we booked out the library’s greenscreen room and set up two camera angles for more seamless cutting.
We recorded with three different microphones so we could ensure there would be no need to scramble to line up audio in post.
The process used two Panasonic Cameras and a podcast system set up in the library location.
On the day of Hair and Makeup fittings we gathered each actor as they finished getting dressed and took headshots and reactions to use in a credits sequence.
We also filmed specific Barbara reactions to use in shock scream graphics in the show. In addition we filmed Ben’s death scene from multiple angles on the stage with accurate lighting.