live on location

Photographic novels vary in the depths to which they use visual effects technology, ranging from all-natural to fully composited CGI. Night Zero is opposed to the use of green-screen technology and other computer-generated malarkey, insisting instead on the authentic photoshoot experience. Every shot in a Night Zero photo comic is done on-location, complete with props, set decorations, and lighting.

From across the theater, improv, film, and student communities of Seattle, the cast of Night Zero is a diverse and welcoming family. Open casting calls, online submissions, and local networking together build a portfolio of talent available for various photo projects, from serial adventures to one-day vignettes. To date, more than fifty identifiable characters have been cast in Night Zero, in addition to over a hundred others as extras and zombies.

Making it all possible is the Night Zero production crew, who works tirelessly behind the scenes to keep the comic alive. On set, the director is responsible for instructing the cast but the assistant director is the real one in charge: supervising the shoot, maintaining the schedule, and being responsible for the production as a whole. She ensures everyone is where they need to be and that each department is working on schedule, and tracks the progress of the shoot against the shot list and production schedule.

The director of photography coordinates with the camera operator on the framing, focus, and camera position of each shot, while working with the gaffer on the proper lighting configurations for each production segment. The makeup artist handles the lipstick and eyeliner, the artificial fatigue and sweat, the cuts, gashes, bruises and blood, the gaunt faces and rotting flesh, and everything in between. Most importantly, the production assistants fill out dozens of other tasks throughout the day, whether helping actors into costume or running to grab the pizza and coffee.

Sisters Shoot Pt 3: Production Schedule

• Crew unloads at 7:30am
• Doors open at 8am
• Alix called at 7:45am
• Alicia called at 7:50am
• Doug called at 8:25am
• David called at 9:00am
• Lauren, Ben, Flynn, Nick called at 11:30am