Archive for the ‘“Maternal”’ Category

Downsizing Development

Posted: 6th May 2011 by Phoebe Richards
Categories: "Maternal", Behind-the-Scenes Photos, Concepts & Development
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On how the story of “Maternal” developed from a big picture to a defining moment.

I had wanted to write and direct a vignette for NIGHT ZERO since I started working as assistant director on the project. Last winter, when we were shooting the “Three Speeches” with the military, messengers, and skullhunters, we brought in so many talented people to play extras, and we realized some of them could star in vignettes that would broaden and enrich the core NIGHT ZERO story.

My friend Chris Allen, a very talented improviser, came in for the Military Speech shoot and I decided I wanted to write my first NIGHT ZERO script with him at the center. Originaly I planned on writing it for the big battle coming up in episode six, when the city has collapsed and the soldiers and messengers are trying to evacuate the civilians to safety among scratchers and skullhunters. The idea I had was that Chris’s character (eventually named Darren) had become haunted by the memory of his sister after he killed her when she became infected on night zero.

A Director’s Break

Posted: 29th April 2011 by Anthony van Winkle
Categories: "Maternal", Behind-the-Scenes Photos, On Location
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On the production of the “Maternal” vignette, from the perspective of the non-directing director.

It was a unique experience for me to be on the set of “Maternal” as assistant director, while Phoebe stepped up to direct the vignette she wrote. Over the three and a half years of Night Zero’s production, only twice before have I not been the director: for the Untitled vignette in early 2009, which was directed by our photographer Forest Gibson, and for the general “crowd/battle” sequences in the protest shoot in late 2009, which were directed by the 2nd A.D. Gale Benning.

As the creator and producer of Night Zero, these rare opportunities to step away from the driver’s seat are simply wonderful. Being able to watch the Night Zero project roll along is, in many respects, a greater accomplishment than when I’m leading it myself, and an opportunity I hope to have a few more times before the year is out.
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