'Risen': Waco born, raised Posted On: Friday, Jun. 26 2009 05:30 AM By Iuliana Petre
Killeen Daily Herald

It's Waco as you know it, except overrun by zombies.

Such is the premise of the independent film "Risen," which was shot in the Waco-area, including locations in Woodway, Lacy Lakeview and Bellmead, using a 90 percent Central Texas cast and crew.

"Risen" will premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Waco Hippodrome Theater at 724 Austin Avenue in Waco.

"Risen" is the story of Jenny and Sam Mills, who go in search of their infant daughter when Waco is overtaken by the living dead. Along the way, Jenny and Sam fight to prove that a parent's love for a child is a force not even the undead can stop.

"Risen" is the creation of zombie-lover David Talbot, the screenplay's writer and visionary, who first approached film director Damon Crump, with the idea several years ago.

"David Talbot approached me with a script a few years ago. Coincidentally he lived in the Waco area. He's a huge zombie lover, that's his genre," Crump said. "He's a guy that had an idea, he had a script and he was smart enough not to star in it or direct it. He knew he had to get experts. He'd been looking for directors all over the country using the Internet. Someone gave him my name. I live in Waco, too."

Talbot's screenplay required minor editing and his vision was executable as a low-budget, independent movie, a first for Crump who made a living in the film industry for the last 22 years directing short films, commercials and corporate videos.

"I've done everything but direct a feature film. My goal was to direct the movie and to do it right here in town," Crump said.

In about 45 days and using a primarily Central Texas cast and crew – many of which were volunteers – Crump and others turned Talbot's vision into reality.

"Talbot wanted to do a story that is more realistic. Where the characters are true to themselves. The search is for their daughter and they're fighting off these zombies, who are not bad people, but victims of whatever happened to them. It's not just a slasher, blood-and-guts thing. It does not have the typical Hollywood wrap-up," Crump said, adding that although he had total creative freedom to do what he wanted with the film, he chose to stay within Talbot's vision.

"Everybody thinks you shot a film and that's great, but the biggest acoutrament is getting it bought by a distributor. A lot of Hollywood films are sitting on a shelf somewhere because no one will buy them or distribute them," said Stephen Lee, an actor from Copperas Cove who stars in the film as Ranger Jack Hayes, a Texas Ranger in charge of a safe house to which the citizens of Waco are directed after the zombies overrun the city. "We shot 'Risen' four years ago. With all the editing and post production work – that took a good 18 months – and then we had to get it sold. It finally sold five to six months ago to Quantum Entertainment who will distribute it to theaters. After a while it will go to DVD like any film does."

And without giving too much away, Lee explained that the plot allows for a sequel.

Although "Risen" was released on Nov. 21, the movie has not been distributed nationwide.

Saturday's premiere is an expansion of the movie's original theatrical release, Crump said, adding that the movie has already won two awards: Best picture and best make-up effects at the Chicago Horror Film Festival in 2007 and a Remi award at the World Fest Houston Film Festival in 2008.

"It was a great experience and we're hoping to do more of these movies around here," Crump said. "Part of the reason I stay (in Central Texas) is the willingness of the people to help you. The potential to do things is a lot easier, there are less headaches and red tape."

"It was a lot of work when you have a day job, but it was a lot of fun," Lee said about his experience with "Risen."

Tickets for the "Risen" movie premiere cost $7 per person and can be purchased at the Waco Hippodrome box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or by calling 752-9797.

For more information, go to risenthemovie.com

Contact Iuliana Petre at ipetre@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7469.