Forget everything you think you know about zombies on television because Z Nation is about to change all of that. I had the pleasure of chatting with showrunner and executive producer, Karl Schaefer about what to expect from the show. Schaefer's many credits include Eureka, Ghost Whisperer, Eerie, Indiana, and Monk, so you know Z Nation is not going to be your average zombie show. Schaefer’s mission is to put the fun back into zombies. The show comes from The Asylum – the people behind Sharknado. While the show isn’t Sharknado, it’s also not The Walking Dead. Z Nation premieres this Friday, September 12 at 10/9c on Syfy. (10pm on Space in Canada)
Highlights of our interview follow – a detailed, full transcript should follow in a few days.
Q = question and KS = Karl Schaefer.
Q: How is the show different from the other zombie shows on television?
KS: Our mission is to go where they don’t. We have a sense of hope and humor, and put the fun back into zombies. Our characters are travelling every week. They aren’t just hunkering down – they take the fight to the zombies. They aren’t afraid of them. There is a lot of black humor and social satire. The characters have somewhere to go and something to do.
Q: What challenges did you face?
KS: We’re a reasonably low budget show, and the bar has been set pretty high for zombies. We have really interesting storylines. We shot in Spokane, Washington. There are so many looks there – mountains, rolling wheat fields, deserts.
Q: What was Harold Perrineau like to work with?
KS: He was fantastic to work with. He was totally committed to the role. He was a big influence on the rest of the actors, and brought up every scene he was in. He was great with the entire cast, especially the young, less experienced actors. He was a blast to work with.
Q: Who did you use for make-up artists?
KS: Cinax is great. We got them through The Asylum. They have the ability to do a lot for a little money. We wanted a really specific look, and they had to get the make-up to look right. They are a small team but cranked out 25 zombies a day. Corrinne Foster and her team are terrific. She was a Face Off contestant last year and she’s a trooper and a real pro.
Q: What are the fundamental differences between “Z’s” and “Walkers”?
KS: The Walking Dead take a very realistic approach. But they never call them zombies. In our universe people know about zombies. They’ve seen the movies! We have all kinds of zombies. Fast zombies, slow zombies, dog zombies, bear zombies. The character Murphy is evolving into a hybrid human/zombie. Our zombies are evolving. Our goal is to put the fun back in zombies. We wanted to be the show that said, Yeah. We’ll do that!
Q: How do you keep from being too silly? Is there a line you won’t cross?
KS: It’s not campy. It’s not a mock-buster like Sharknado. We wanted to make a real show. There is black humor in the most serious moments in life. It’s more M*A*S*H than Sharknado. If you didn’t have a sense of humor in the Apocalypse, you’d just curl up and die.
Q: What was your casting process?
KS: We didn’t have a big budget. We’re shooting in Washington and in order to take advantage of the tax credits, we needed to cast a lot of local actors. Russell Hodgkinson is great. Nat Zang who plays 10k is 18, and this was his first professional audition. He’s going to be a big star.
We don’t have a big budget, and we’re all working for less than we normally would, but it’s for the love of the project. Once it came together, it was better than anyone thought it would be! Keith Allen who T plays Murphy is an actor who was working as Asylum’s office manager. He auditioned and made it through to the three who were sent to the Network. They picked him without ever knowing he was the office manager.
Q: The DJ Qualls character, Citizen Z, seems a lot like Good Morning, Vietnam. Is that an echo you were looking for?
KS: The idea was to have the character stuck in the Arctic where no zombies can get to him. He has an overview of the situation but there is little he can do directly. He’s in every episode, and some even revolve directly around him. He focuses the social satire. He’s our narrator – he’s the Wolfman Jack of our story.
Q: Will they get to California this season? Do you have a long term plan/goal in mind?
KS: I have a five year story arc. They won’t get to California this season, and California won’t be the end of the line. I may adjust the story, but nothing ever goes according to plan. There are many, many surprises along the way. Hopefully in every episode.
Q: Will there be love interests?
KS: Yes! Absolutely. There will be relationships among those we know but also relationships will spring up with some they meet along the way. Like life, there is tragedy, humor, romance. It’s just not as serious and dark as some other shows. The characters will have the full experience going forward.
Q: What’s your favorite scene or moment?
KS: Coming up? I have one in every episode! In episode 2 we have flaming zombies. In 3, insane cannibals. Citizen Z gets a new friend with a dark and twisted story. Somebody makes their way to the North Pole. I hope everyone will develop favorite moments. There are lots of surprises. Something gruesome, dark, violent, funny, and emotional in every episode.
Q: Will there be a mystery of the week in addition to the overreaching arc of getting to California?
KS: The overall mission is to get to California and every episode there is some new challenge. Episode 2 is all about getting gas, but Citizen Z is dealing with a zombie sled dog.
Q: Is this season’s arc written in stone?
KS: The show has evolved. I wrote all the episodes before we began filming, but re-wrote to fit locations and cast. It evolved as we went. I’m a very collaborative and open filmmaker. I ask actors for input, and I give directors a green light to let things happen on set. The show is the sum of everyone involved. Everyone on set is encouraged to contribute. Everyone got into the tone – funny but real. Costumers, effects, camera people all contributed to make it edgy, different, and funny.
Q: Why are zombies so popular?
KS: I’ve given it a lot of thought. They’re way more popular than they should be. When we looked for extras, we had 800 people show up! Our collective unconscious knows something bad is going to happen in the world, but we don’t know what. Zombies are a way to fill that void.
Q: Are there any great guest stars coming on that you want to tease?
KS: Not any “stars” but some great characters: a Russian cosmonaut, leader of a cannibal cult, a zombie resurrection cult, and all female compound. Actually Kelly McGillis is leading the women. Each week they find a new pocket of humanity that’s trying to rebuild society. How it works or doesn’t work is the story.
Q: What can you tell us about the music?
KS: We are limited by our budget, so not a lot of needle drops. Jason Gallagher is a first time composer and we will be using a lot of new, unsigned bands.
Schaefer also mentioned that the show settled into the tone as it progressed, so it’s likely worth it to give the show a few episodes to really find its footing. It certainly sounds like it became a passion project for all involved. Don’t forget to check the show out this Friday, September 12 at 10/9c on Syfy (10pm on Space in Canada). Are you excited about this show? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
