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| Anna and the Apocalypse poster ©2019 Festival in LA |
When British co-writer Ryan McHenry worked in the seventeen-minute short film “Zombie Musical,” he never imagined a few years later, it will turn into a coming-of-age, high school musical “Anna and the Apocalypse.”
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| Anna and the Apocalypse display at the Arclight, Hollywood. Photo: José Alberto Hermosillo. |
The director of this terrific film is the young and talented John McPhail, who placed all the elements together to make this fun-to-watch, vibrant flick. "Anna and the Apocalypse" appeals to a new generation of film-goers.
To upgrade the short into a feature film, they added a few more novelty elements and characters making the story more vivid and fluidly entertaining.
They shot the movie in twenty-eight days, averaging a record of seventeen sets a day in a non-sequential order.
They shot the movie in twenty-eight days, averaging a record of seventeen sets a day in a non-sequential order.
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| Anna and the Apocalypse. Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
At that time of the year in England, the weather conditions were challenging. During the production, the filmmakers had plenty of rain, wind, fog, and snow.
Having only six hours of daylight, they worked from dawn-to-dark. For that reason, pre-production was essential for the well-being of the film.
They also spent a week planning the climactic song “Hollywood Ending.”
Having only six hours of daylight, they worked from dawn-to-dark. For that reason, pre-production was essential for the well-being of the film.
They also spent a week planning the climactic song “Hollywood Ending.”
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| Anna and the Apocalypse. Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
During the shooting, director of photography Sara Deane always looked for that emotional beat to drag the viewer's attention to a focal point. Miss Deane created an electrifying and colorful world through her lenses. With the convenient help of the seasonal Christmas decorations made out of this zombie musical, a genre film worth watching.
She added that working in the hallways was more challenging because space was limited and harder to light.
"Anna and the Apocalypse" combined the zombie assaults with gaudy and well-choreographed musical numbers.
She added that working in the hallways was more challenging because space was limited and harder to light.
"Anna and the Apocalypse" combined the zombie assaults with gaudy and well-choreographed musical numbers.
The filmmakers mixed the romantic comedy with horror to help break the structure - beginning with the desires, goals, and dreams of every character, and foreshadow the story's outcome.
For the central characters, the loss of a good friend gives real meaning to fight the Zombies.
The representation of zombies becomes personal as the symbol of the undead, and depression-like Santa Claus is for happiness.
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| John McPhail, director. Anna and the Apocalypse. Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
McPhail firmly believes that actors are people, not kids. In the character's bios, he has to know where they are coming from and where they are going.
In McPhail's own words: “‘Jaws’ has the same structure of ‘Ghostbusters,’ and still are two different movies.”
Director is a huge fan of Musicals: “West Side Story,” “Cabaret,” “Moulin Rouge,” “Legally Blonde” on stage.
He worked with three other composers who had never done a musical before. They were making sure they were on the same page and used a comparable terminology that included respect for everyone and everything - honor the female characters, respect the zombies, and the bullies too.
The memorable music includes the terrific songs “Christmas Means Nothing Without You,” “Break Away,” “Soldier at war,” “Turning My Life Around,” “What a Time to Be Alive,” "Human Voice," and, of course, “Hollywood Ending.”
This film is not for the British only. Even though it was made in England, “Anna and the Apocalypse” music is Universal. American and worldwide audiences can identify with the songs, the comedy, and the amazing dead and alive characters.
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| John McPhail, director. Anna and the Apocalypse. Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
The magic of cinema comes when a movie like this appeals to everyone.
The director said, “The comedy has a sparkle, and it comes from something real.” He added, “What America has brought to Grand Britain, now we want to give back, like this pleasing and surprisingly original film.”
The director said, “The comedy has a sparkle, and it comes from something real.” He added, “What America has brought to Grand Britain, now we want to give back, like this pleasing and surprisingly original film.”
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| Jose Alberto Hermosillo, John McPhail, director. Anna and the Apocalypse. Photo Jose Hermosillo ©2019 Festival in LA |
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