Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2019 – Zombie Debt
A young woman struggles to survive the zombie apocalypse, but finds that some debts never die.
Interview with Director/Editor Ash Blodgett
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Writer/Producer Rose Meza approached me about doing this short film because I have a lot of experience with narrative comedy, but also because we both could totally relate to the never ending oppression of student loan debt. It feels like a current hot button topic that really resonates with a lot of people, and so we felt poking fun at it is just the type of cathartic release millennials needed. We also hoped to shed some light on just how ridiculous the every growing mountains of debt is, by putting our characters in the most extreme situation, a zombie apocalypse.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I think this film is important not only for millennials, but also for all generations to see just how much the younger generations are struggling with student loan debt. At times I think it can feel hopeless and much like trying to fight off a zombie that just won't stop coming for you. With Zombie Debt, we hope to bring awareness by poking fun at these real life financial situations many millennials have to face.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personally I'm a millennial that graduated with a lot of student loan debt, as was most of our crew, so it's a topic I'm very passionate about. Struggling to pay debt, whether student loan, credit card, or mortgage debt, is a common thing I think is universally relatable. We live in a day and age of high interest rates that tend to control our lives. Hopefully this film can point that out, but also make people laugh along the way.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Since this film is so short, only 4 minutes and 12 second, the course of development was very fast. Rose Meza, the writer/producer, wrote a draft and sent it to me. I knew the film needed a big punch line at the end and it just wasn't there yet despite it being a fantastic idea, so I told Rose to really try to think of a joke that would top a student loan debt collector knocking on your door during the zombie apocalypse. This was definitely a tall order that Rose brilliantly pulled off by having the debt collector (aka The Loan Ranger) attempting to collect student loan debt from a zombie in the end. Once she had that, she sent me the script and it was full speed from there.
We shot the majority of the short all in one day and originally was just imagining it as a sketch to go on my youtube channel Laugh Stash TV. But after being on set and seeing the amazing footage our cinematography Josh Figatner shot, we knew right away we wanted to do more with it. So we decided to develop it into a short film and hired a mutual friend and fellow student loan debt collector hater, Nick Passick to create a wonderful animated ending credit sequence that really expands on the world we built in the film.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far we've only screening the film for cast, crew, and friends but everyone's response has been so positive and excited about this topic. The world premiere of our film will be at the Arlington Theatre Wednesday the 6th at 8pm as part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and we're excited to hear what the audience thinks!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I knew this would be a relatable topic, but to be honest I'm always surprised when I pitch the film to people and their faces light up with a big reaction. They often tell me "That's brilliant!" or "They totally would try to still collect student loan debt!" They all can relate to the struggle, but I didn't expect how passionately people really would connect to the theme.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I would just love to spread this message of awareness about how harder both economically and financially it really is for the millennial generation. So often we are the butt of the joke, but millennials are some of the hardest working people I know. We're smart and motivated, but so often we're pigeonholed into tough financial situations we're told are the norm and that we should just "suck it up." It's my life goal to make people laugh at these sometimes frustrating situations, because I think through laughter and comedy we can make the world a better place while still bringing attention to important issues. It'd be great for more film festival directors to see the film and hopefully program it in their festivals so we can bring more awareness to this issue. It'd be great for more film festival directors to see the film and hopefully program it in their festivals so we can bring more awareness to this issue.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It'd be great for more film festival directors to see the film and hopefully program it in their festivals so we can bring more awareness to this issue.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
At the very smallest, I just hope to bring a smile to someone's face who has had to struggle with debt. At the most, I'd hope the film brings awareness to the ludicrous financial situation so many millennials have found themselves in.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the key question I hope this film sparks a debate about is "what are we going to do to turn this student loan crisis around?" There's currently 44.5 million student loan borrowers with outstanding federal debt totaling in over $1.5 trillion and private student loan debt totaling in over $64.2 billion. What are we going to do as a country to insure that future generations will be able to afford education?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about our film Zombie Debt. I hope the film brings a smile to your face!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm constantly making short sketches and various other scripted and non scripted videos for youtube channel Laugh Stash TV. I'm also currently writing a short web series as well as a feature film, both of which are comedies of course! I'm a freelance writer, director, cinematographer, and editor so I'm always looking for other projects to work on. If you'd like to hire me, feel free to reach out to me here: http://www.laughstash.tv/contact/.
Interview: February 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Zombie Debt
A young woman struggles to survive the zombie apocalypse, but finds that some debts never die.
Length: 4:12
Director: Ash Blodgett
Producer: Rose Meza
Writer: Rose Meza
About the writer, director and producer:
ASH BLODGETT is a freelance director, cinematographer, and editor specializing in narrative comedy. She wrote and directed the award winning short film Hold Up, produced and directed multiple comedy shorts and shows for her YouTube Channel Laugh Stash TV totaling in over 16 million views, worked as a cinematographer and director for LinkedIn Learning, and edited several season of the reality TV show, Full Custom Garage. In 2016 she also traveled the world shooting a documentary series for the International Olympic Committee entitled Design Focus.
ROSE MEZA is a creative content producer for LinkedIn Learning. She has a heart for educational content that's reachable anywhere, for anyone. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in Radio, TV, Film in 2007 and is currently on the path to obtaining a certificate in Learning Design and Technology through Harvard’s Extension Program. Rose is passionate about filmmaking, instructional design, photography, socially conscious art, ethical leadership, and community welfare. Zombie Debt is her debut as a film writer, she hopes to create more short films like this in the future.
Key cast: Brittany Joyner (Stacey Jones), Ryan Stroud (Damien The “Loan” Ranger), Dalex Miller (Zombie Brian Renner)
Looking for: film festival directors
Facebook: Laugh Stash TV
Twitter: @LaughStashTV
Instagram: @zombiedebtfilm
Website: http://www.laughstash.tv/zombie-debt/
Other: YouTube
Made in association with: Laugh Stash TV
Funders: Self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Santa Barbara International Film Festival/The Arlington Theatre - February 6th 2019 at 8:00pm