Today I ran across THIS article in Variety, about a full-length feature film version of Zombie Prom being developed. Which is the first news of Zombie Prom in a loooong time, ever since I worked on the proof-of-concept short back in 2006.
The guy in charge of wrangling the vfx for the short was David Manos Morris, who I was introduced to by my current boss at the time Marjolaine Tremblay at elementFX. They were old friends and co-workers from ILM. David was putting together volunteers to work on the film, and it was that stage of my career where you have to take a leap or two to start getting work experience. Plus, David is a huge musical theater nerd and we were going to trade early versions of some musicals we geeked out over. Fair enough. I did only a couple of shots - one matte painting and comp of Johnny driving up to the nuclear power plant and extending a shot of balloons for a wipe transition effect.
The best part was attending the screening. David used his contacts as ILM to secure the big screening room at Skywalker Ranch for the night. Ever since I was little and had the George Lucas: The Creative Impulse book, I had known about the Ranch. The secluded pastoral patch of land nestled around wine country that was Lucas' artist enclave. The place where pre and post production on everything from Star Wars to ET to Indiana Jones happened.
Heather and I dressed up nice and headed across the Golden Gate Bridge for Skywalker Ranch, ironically located on Lucas Road. It's just as stunning as you would think. Heck, even the parking lot is next to the vineyard - which is the only point I was willing to take a quick photo, less I seem too starstruck. The main building and screening room were also gorgeous - an arts and crafts style comfy environment that felt just perfect. It was a unique night and a great chance to experience Skywalker Ranch.
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