“Little Dead Riding Hood” Accepted into Two Film Festivals!

See “Little Dead Riding Hood” at Bellingham or Lynnwood next Friday — or watch it on YouTube!

Film showing at Lynwwod and Bellingham on Nov. 22,  for tickets, go to wssnetwork.org/2013/tickets/

Orcas Zombie Movie Gains Acclaim for Wrobel and Bosley

by Cara Russell

This last summer, local filmmakers Conrad Wrobel and Bruce H. Bosley completed their second and third summer sessions  of the popular film class, “How to Make a Zombie Movie.” Through the Funhouse Commons, the class was developed for kids ranging from 8–12 years old. Not only did the kids successfully work together by writing, storyboarding, and then making two short zombie films, each film was done from start to finish in the course of two weeks.

The first session birthed the creation of “Little Dead Riding Hood” (Riding Hood); where the big bad wolf was replaced by a grandmother-eating zombie. Then came “Escape from Zombie Tower” (Zombi Tower); while stuck inside the Funhouse on a rainy day, the kids let their imaginations run wild.

Wrobel, Bosley, and the young aspiring filmmakers walked away from the summer classes, satisfied with their accomplishments. And they should be, because shortly thereafter Riding Hood was accepted into two Washington State film festivals. First, it made the official selection at the Bleedingham Film Festival, which specializes in iconic horror.

After the Bleedingham screening, Wrobel received a phone call from the curator of the Washington State Studio Network (WSSN). The curator had seen “Little Dead Riding Hood” and asked that Wrobel submit it to WSSN for their fall showcase.

Wrobel did just that, and again it made the official selection, which is no easy task as the competition is always stiff. “Two is huge. It’s hard to get a film into one festival, let alone two!” said Wrobel with his trademark magnetic enthusiasm. “This is the first time this has happened to me, and it is really special.”

WSSN is a traveling film festival, and this year they are holding their showcase in both in Bellingham and Lynnwood. WSSN provides an opportunity for filmmakers to showcase their films produced in Washington State. In addition, the Showcase also offers filmmakers the opportunity to preview trailers for projects that are currently seeking funding.

By audience vote, the winner receives a $1,500 prize to be put towards studio time, equipment rental, use of a green screen studio, or a professional crew from the WSSN. It all adds up to about six hours of free studio work, which can mean a lot to independent filmmakers like Wrobel and Bosley.

Conrad Wrobel and Bruce Bosley, creative geniuses behind Funhouse Commons Zombie movies. Photo by Cara Russell

Both men have chosen to attend the showing in Lynnwood, and they are hoping many supporters of LDRH will come out to vote and support their film. “I’m proud of this summer. Especially since we got such amazing material, amazing work from the kids, and so much support from the parents who stuck around and even played zombies in the film,” said Wrobel.

The showing will be at 7 p.m. on Friday November 22 at the Edmonds Community College Black Box Theatre located at 20310 68th Ave West in Lynnwood, a five-minute drive from Lynwood exits south of Everett on I-5. To buy tickets, go to https://www.wssnetwork.org/2013/tickets/

The film is also showing at 9 p.m. on Friday Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. at the Pickford Film Center at 1318 Bay St. in Bellingham WA. To buy tickets, go to: https://www.wssnetwork.org/2013/tickets/

Eric Youngren, Funhouse Commons Board Director, has invited Wrobel to host the class for the third year in a row next summer 2014. Wrobel hopes to turn “How to Make a Zombie Movie” into an annual summer class and a regular feature at the Funhouse Commons. He plans to lock in the plans for next summer’s sessions before the spring.

“It’s my goal to improve on the amount of education of arts available in the community. This class teaches something that children can do with partners, or on their own at home, simply by using their iPhone or other devices,” he said.

Wrobel believes that Orcas Island is special. “With its countless scenic and amazing surroundings, it would be nothing more than a shame if more filming isn’t being done here.”

The WSSN fall showcase will be at the Black Box Theatre and the Pickford Film Center. For more information about WSSN, or if you would like to join Wrobel and Bosley, and the kids and families of the Funhouse Commons, at the Showcase; visit the WSSN website at www.wssnetwork.org . Or on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/223860271107496/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

Want to watch “Little Dead Riding Hood” the movie? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTwrINICOw4