Here comes the apocalypse ... - The Stratford Observer

Here comes the apocalypse ...

Stratford Editorial 23rd Jul, 2016 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

A ZOMBIE outbreak has been confirmed in Alcester.

While two artisan markets were taking place on the High Street last October, the other side of the road was a scene of apocalyptic chaos while Ben Atkinson shot his short film Patient Zero, which has now been released.

The Stratford filmmaker is now hoping to turn the horror film – which tells the story of a Russian scientist who unwittingly infects the UK with a deadly virus – into a series if he gets enough funding.

The 30-year-old says he was ‘delighted’ the Alcester community jumped on board – even getting full zombie makeovers to take part in the shoot.




Ben – whose day job is making wedding and corporate films with his company ATS films – told the Observer: “I had permission to film on the closed road as the market only took up half of it.

“It was such a great experience and what feels like the whole of the Alcester community turned up and even allowed us to park their cars in random places to simulate them being abandoned. They let us smear fake blood over them and were willing to do anything to help.”


The film team advertised on their Facebook page for people to take part, and in just a few hours the slots were full – some people even had to be turned away.

Ben added: “A lot of crew and cast are local and they are really dedicated to the cause. Everyone was on set in Alcester for 6am on a cold morning and stayed on set until 7pm without complaining. They just got on with it and you can’t ask for more than that.”

Ben came up with the idea for the film with fellow film lover Marc Gordge.

They are now hoping to show the film at a number of festivals to try and secure funding and are also planning to shoot even more scenes later this year in Alcester if they can get permission from the town council.

Ben said: “Alcester and the community really came out for me and helped deliver my dream.

“I am now looking for funding to help further this dream and make it a reality. Anyone who donates is more than welcome to join us on set and take part and any businesses which want to donate, we would be more than happy to promote them in the film somehow.

“Getting this film made would be the absolute best thing to happen to me ever.”

Auditions to take part in the next part of filming will take place on Sunday (July 17) at 1pm at the Hollybush Inn, Alcester.

Visit www.gofundme.com/2bxkvy4 to watch the short film or to donate.

Visit www.facebook.com/pathogenfilms to find out more about auditions.

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