Journal Zero

Last month the Night Zero team took some time away from the zombie photographic comic book (check it out if you haven’t yet, here’s the first page!)–and produced a special homage to a new zombie video game, “Left 4 Dead“. Produced by the incredible team at Valve, the folks responsible for Half-Life, Counterstrike, Team Fortress, and Portal, this newest team-based shooter pits four survivors against hordes of the undead, in what is possibly the most brilliant execution of a zombie apocalypse game to date.

Unlike most modern games, where players can create their characters from a wide range of bodies, clothings, faces, and personalities, in Left 4 Dead there are only (and always the same) four survivors. This unusual design choice creates a unique play experience, as all players around the world become intimately familiar with these four characters—their voices, their mannerisms, they way they laugh and they way they panic. By forcing the millions of gamers to live as these four survivors, Valve has created a set of universal heroes, instantly recognizable to anyone who’s sat down with Left 4 Dead. Heroes that the team of Night Zero would sit down with as well, in our own special way.

Thanks to the wide networks of the Night Zero production team, getting a cast together that resembled the four characters was challenging but successful. Each of the survivors is very idiosyncratic and different, but none is beyond the everyday person, so pulling together costumes and props was no more difficult than any other Night Zero shoot. For a location with a range of backdrops and settings, we returned to the warehouse where the middle of Episode One was shot, and to match the game’s selection, we pulled together all the weaponry we could get our hands on.

If you’re not familiar with Left 4 Dead, I encourage you to first watch the opening cinematic, a delightful zombie flick in its own right, and a flawless introduction to every character and game element that makes Left 4 Dead so wonderful. Then, click on the image below to visit the Flickr gallery with our first batch of “fan art” photos.

These ten photos are just the first round, so keep your eyes out for another set in the next few weeks. Of course, this wouldn’t be a proper blog post without some behind the scenes photos, and boy have we got some great ones. Enjoy!

The greenroom, where guns and zombies and snacks collide

Francis getting psyched up

The witch getting her nails done

Zoey and Bill meet the witch

See how the hunter flies through the air...

...with a little help from the crew.

Even zombies need to a shoulder to lean on.

Startling the witch

Heading to the roof, where a safe room is being setup

Forest and Eli frame the shot

Like our stuff? Be sure to check out our post-apocalyptic zombie comic, done in the same style!

UPDATE: More behind-the-scenes info and photos are available on our second Left 5 Dead blog post.

As the publicist for Night Zero, I get the pleasure of introducing the book to many different people, and get to work with creators of podcasts, comic store owners, and editors and writers of various publications. It’s a blast to get to market a product that is so unique- not just a website, not just a comic book, not just photos, Night Zero: Volume One appeals to a wide range of people, and it’s been my job to find that audience and put the book in their hands.

Finding and advertising a product to an unknown audience is a difficult task, and I’ve gotten to be really creative with our marketing approaches, which has been a lot of fun. We’ve done various forms of online marketing, some guerilla and some more professional. I’ve also personally walked into all of the comic shops and bookstores that carry our book, Night Zero “Survivor Pack” slung over my shoulder.

We’ve received positive reviews in two different podcasts so far, and you can check out those episodes here:

The Webcomic Beacon

Seattle Geekly

We’ve also received positive feedback and support from a number of local comic and bookstores. If you would like to see Night Zero: Volume One in your favorite store, have the owner or manager email me (publicity at nightzero.com), and we’ll make sure we get some copies in there.

But one of my favorite marketing techniques is free stuff and branded merchandise. From the beginning, I knew I wanted us to get Night Zero shot glasses. The characters need alcohol to survive, so clearly it would be the perfect giveaway or trinket to sell! Thanks to my persistence, those of you who attended the launch party received a branded shotglass in the survivor pack. Those of you who missed out can purchase one at the Emerald City Comic-con. They’re big. And awesome. Another product I’ve been wanting to make for a while are Night Zero t-shirts. I specifically want one that says “Scratcher? I hardly know her!”, but I’m not sure how the rest of the production team feels about that design. If you’d be interested in a Night Zero t-shirt, send us an email, let us know. If you have an idea for a design for a Night Zero shirt- send it our way. If we use it, we’ll send you a couple of free shirts!

My focuses lately have been on two upcoming activities. The first is Emerald City Comic-con. Night Zero will be there both Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5. You can purchase your tickets at http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/tickets.php or at many of the comic shops that stock our book. We will have the coolest booth there, complete with free gore makeup and a chance to get your own HDR photo taken!

The second activity is a bit more on-going. Night Zero is currently looking to recruit a Marketing Intern. This intern will be in charge of a Night Zero street team, as well as other marketing projects that he/she and I see fit. If you are a college student who would be interested in earning some credits by working with the Night Zero team, send your resume to publicity at nightzero.com. We’ve already had some interested students apply, so get the resumes in quickly if you would like to be considered!

Overall, I’m excited to get to market a product that I enjoy so much, and hope that you enjoy it as well. Be on the lookout for some new marketing campaigns in the future- we’ve got some great stuff planned!