Zombie Online

Dance of the Dead is a 2008 American independent zombie comedy, directed by Gregg Bishop and written by Joe Ballarini. The film featured Jared Kusnitz, Greyson Chadwick, Chandler Darby, and Carissa Capobianco. The plot revolves around the mysterious reanimation of the dead and the efforts of Jimmy, Lindsey, Stephen, and Kyle to save their local high school prom from attack.

The film had a limited theatrical release at Mann’s Chinese 6 Theatres on 13 October 2008, one day before being released on DVD. Originally finished in 2007, the film premiered at a number of film festivals throughout 2008 to mostly positive reviews. Notable premieres include the South by Southwest Film Festival and the Atlanta Film Festival.

Production

The low-budget independent feature film was based on a script written in the late 1990s. It was filmed in Rome and North Georgia.

Casting

The cast of Dance of the Dead marked the debut of relatively unknown Georgian natives—including Greyson Chadwick, Chandler Darby, and Carissa Capobianco—and the return of sophomore actors Jared Kusnitz (Doll Graveyard) and Randy McDowell (Good Intentions).According to director-producer Greg Bishop, they “searched for months for the right kids, ones who were good at improv, and ended up casting more kids in Georgia…They were more natural. [The] casting director would throw them curveballs and the ones who could hang and go along ended up in the movie.”

Distribution

Dance of the Dead will be distributed in October 2008 by Lions Gate Entertainment in a deal with Sam Raimi’s new partnership Ghost House Underground. The film is expected to be part of Ghost House’s inaugural slate of offerings dubbed “October Horror”.

Following the Cannes Film Festival, German distributor Splendid Film bought the rights to the high school zombie film for German release.

Reception

Dance of the Dead premiered at the 15th annual South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas, March 7-15 2008 along side a lineup of 113 feature films, including 64 world premieres, high school-themed features and rock documentaries. It was a ‘Round Midnight selection.

The film was screened at the 32nd annual Atlanta Film Festival in April 2008, and considered a “must see.” Three separate showings of the film were sellouts at the Atlanta Film Festival. Bleiberg Entertainment marketed the film at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in May 2008. Subsequent screenings included the International Fantastic Film Festival at Neuchâtel, Switzerland, on 3 July 2008, the Fantasy Film Fest in Germany on 15 August 2008, the ninth Film4 FrightFest in London, UK, on 23 August 2008, and the Rome International Film Festival in North Georgia, USA, on 7 September 2008.