Vampire Zombies... from Space!

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. 2001:1970:5D5E:C100:0:0:0:C3B2 (talk) 20:30, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

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Vampire Zombies... from Space!

Overview

Vampire Zombies... from Space! is a 2024 Canadian independent comedy feature film written by Jakob Skrzypa & Alex Forman and Mike Stasko, directed by Mike Stasko. The film is a parody of 1950s horror and sci-fi B-movies that blends satire, crude humour, and slapstick with practical effects, miniatures and classic horror tropes.

It features an ensemble cast of comedically cliché characters, and appearances by cult and horror icons including Judith O'Dea (Night of the Living Dead), Lloyd Kaufman of Troma Entertainment, Simon Reynolds (SAW IV) and David Liebe Hart (Tim & Eric).

To date the film has played in over 40 festivals, across 19 countries.

Plot

From the depths of space, Dracula has devised his most dastardly plan yet: turning the residents of Marlow into his personal army of vampire zombies. Terror grips the town as a full-blown zombie outbreak erupts, and a motley crew consisting of a grizzled detective, a sceptical rookie cop, a chain-smoking greaser, and a determined young woman band together to save the world from — (see title).

Cast

The film stars Andrew Bee, Rashaun Baldeo, Jessica Antovski, Oliver Georgiou, Craig Gloster, Robert Kemeny, and Erik Helle.

It co-stars Judith O'Dea, Lloyd Kaufman, David Liebe Hart, and Simon Reynolds.

It also features filmmaker Gavin Michael Booth, Mark Lefebvre, Jakob Skrzypa, Alex Forman, Tyler Colley, Nick Shields, Cheri Scratch, Anthony Bonnano, Curtis Coleman, Bridget Opfer, Shane Nelson, Aidan Coutts, Ed Hooft, Bob Mero, Jim Walls and former Essex Mayor Ron McDermott.

History

Origins & Inspiration

Vampire Zombies... from Space! was first conceived in 2010 by Jakob Skrzypa, who wrote and began to shoot an early version of the film while he was a high school student at Cardinal Carter Catholic Secondary school.

Skrzypa, a massive fan of Mel Brooks, was inspired to write the script after seeing Ed Wood's Plan 9 from Outer Space, and realizing that b-horror films were ripe for parody. Only a few scenes remain from the 2010 version, shot on Mini-DV tapes, because most of the footage was accidentally deleted by the film's cameraman. The original script was also considered lost.

In 2017, Skrzypa found a hard copy of the 2010 script, which he brought to his writing partner Alex Forman to review, the two became excited about the project, and re-wrote the script throughout 2017 - 2018, meeting weekly in the Essex Tim Hortons.

Skrzypa and Forman's new version, retained much of the 2010 source material, while drawing from inspirations like South Park, Monty Python, the films of Robert Rodriguez, The Blob, and Forbidden Planet.

The 2018 script was brought to University of Windsor professor Mike Stasko, who loved the concept, and decided to come on board the project as director and producer. Stasko co-wrote the final draft with Skrzypa and Forman, and the plan was to shoot the film summer 2020. This plan was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Production

The film was shot primarily in Windsor, Ontario, and Essex, Ontario, in the summer of 2022. Stasko directed, Skrzypa and Forman co-produced alongside Stasko, Ted Bezaire, and Gerry Lattmann of The Dot Film co.

Ken Amlin served as director of photography, with production design by Greg Maxwell, costumes by Emily Eansor, make-up by Stephanie Johnston, hair by Angela Bell, and special effects by Mitchell Branget and Sebastien Gaspar-Woods.

Tyler Colley acted as picture car supervisor, and miniatures were made by Aaron Fauteux.

The production relied heavily on local talent, and community support; some scenes requiring over 100 extras, and 15-20 period correct vehicles. Large portions of the finished film were shot in 2023 as second unit directed by Jakob Skrzypa.

Notable locations used in the film include the Low-Martin Mansion, used as Mayor Douglas' house. The historic Essex Railway Station, used as the Marlow Police station, and The Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village, where the Jack Miner House, serves as the MacDowell house, and the village jail serve's as Wayne's cell.

Post-Production

The film was edited by Jakob Skrzypa, and Mike Stasko. As a tribute to classic cinema and in the spirit of Ed Wood, the film incorporates numerous homages to earlier works that inspired its creators. Notably, it features and modifies footage from the public domain works Night of the Living Dead, The Brain That Wouldn't Die, Wings, White Zombie, and War of the Colossal Beast, alongside various pieces of stock and archival footage.

On the auditory front, in the spirit of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Jakob Skrzypa and Alex Forman served as all extra voices for crowd scenes, often simply saying the words "chatter", "whisper" and "mutter" on repeat.

The sound design includes audio elements sourced from Star Wars, Spaceballs, and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, further enhancing the film's referential and parodic tone.

The film's score was composed by Ian McGregor Smith, and the final sound mix was done at Toronto's Image & Sound. Windsor's Suede Productions handled digital VFX, colour grade, and final output. The film's trailer was conceived, written and cut by Jakob Skrzypa.

Reception & Release

The film has received positive reviews from critics and genre fans, praised for its clever homage to retro sci-fi and horror, humorous writing, and standout performances by its cult film cast. Reviewers highlighted its balance of loving tribute and sharp parody, and it has been covered in major publications like Rue Morgue, and Screen Anarchy.

Black Mandala currently holds the worldwide distribution sales rights, excluding Canada. The filmmakers hope to release a physical media VHS or BluRay of the film, as well as play a limited theatrical run.

Festivals & Screenings

The film had its world premiere at the 2024 Eerie Horror Festival, and continues on a successful festival run at festivals including: a sold-out 1,500 person screening at the Windsor International Film Festival, Mexico's Mórbido Fest, Belgium's Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival, Brazil's Fantaspoa, Calgary Underground Film Festival, Toronto's Canadian Film Festival, San Francisco Independent Film Festival, Argentina's Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre, The Moscow International Film Festival, Estonia's Haapsalu Horror and Fantasy Film Festival where it was presented by Chainsaws were Singing writer-director Sander Maran, and the South African Horrorfest where it was awarded best film by guest juror Gala Avary.

Awards & Nominations

• South African Horrorfest 2024 – Best Film
• Buried Alive Film Festival 2024 - Best Film
• Fright Nights Austria Film Festival 2024 - Best Film
• Terror in the Bay Film Festival 2024 - Best Film
• Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival 2024 – Audience Choice
• Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival 2024 – Best of Festival
• New York City Horror Film Festival 2024 - Best Sci-fi Film
• Melbourne Underground Film Festival 2024 - Best Horror / Thriller Film
• Buried Alive Film Festival 2024 - Best Directing
• Hellifax Horror Fest 2024 - Best Directing
• Orlando Film Festival 2024 - Best Directing (nom.)
• Orlando Film Festival 2024 - Best Feature (nom.)
• Terror in the Bay Film Festival 2024 - Best Ensemble
• Buried Alive Film Festival 2024 - Best Production Design
• South African Horrorfest 2024 - Best Makeup FX (nom.)
• South African Horrorfest 2024 - Best Soundtrack (nom.)
• South African Horrorfest 2024 - Best Production Design (nom.)
• South African Horrorfest 2024 - Cinematography (nom.)
• Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival 2024 - Audience Choice Award
• Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival 2024 - Student Jury Prize
• Hellifax Horror Fest 2024 - Audience Choice Award
• Morbido Fest 2024 - Best Feature Film (nom.)
• Buenos Aires Rojo Sangre 2024 - Competencia Bizarra Best Film (nom.)