2013 Update

A very special thank you to ALL of the thousands of people who tuned in, showed up at our events, and helped us make CvsRZ a big success!

We're currently assessing the next step for us. While we enjoyed making the series the first time around, it was lacking in the kind of production values we think it deserves - it was a learning experience for a relatively green cast and crew, and it did suffer as a result. So, if we return to this project we would likely begin anew. At this phase, the best format for the concept may be a feature or short film, which would free us of the constraints imposed by online distribution.

All I can say is - stay tuned. I believe CvsRZ will come back in some form other another. In the meantime, check out some of the other exciting projects Art Aperitif is currently producing.

Thank you everyone!

Episode 3 Halloween Night - LIVE Chat with Cast!

We've got an extra-awesome, super-fun night planned for the Halloween broadcast of Episode 3: Watch episodes 1 & 2 from 7:40PM EST, then watch the Episode 3 premiere at 8:00PM EST, followed by voting online for the winner of the walk-on role in the series! And the best part is you can join members of the cast LIVE on our website to chat, ask questions about the show, and share your reactions to the big finale! So grab a bucket of candy, a bag of popcorn, and some ghoulish friends and join us! 

To access the Live Chat, find the Skysa bar at the bottom of this page and register to sign in!

DATE CHANGE for Haunted Acres

Fans - please note that the time and date for the cast appearance at Haunted Acres has changed to Friday, OCTOBER 26TH 2012 at 7:30PM.

Six Flags and Haunted Acres!

Press Roundup

Series writer/director Jason Bachand was featured in the October Halloween edition of The Venue, New England's Premiere Arts and Entertainment journal.

Not one but three of our actresses recently had coverage in The New Hampshire Union Leader. Taylor Kudalis, Savannah Reinitzer, and Kallie Tabor talk about how they landed their roles, what other projects they're working on, and much more.

New England Hollywood News has great interviews with actresses Meredith Prunty and Ashley Tramonte, as well as series' producer Suzanne Prunty. Go check them out!

Speaking of Meredith Prunty, she's going to be in an episode of MTV's "Made" this fall! For the scoop, head over to Meredith's website.

Premiere News Roundup

Premiere Event at Six Flags New England

 

As previously announced in the series' press release, the first episode of CvsRZ will be broadcast on our Youtube channel on October 17, 2012 at 8:00PM EST. Episodes 2 and 3 will follow on October 24 and 31, respectively.

But prior to the broadcast of the show, a special all-day premiere event will be held at Six Flags New England on October 13, 2012.  Special discount tickets are available to all of our fans through the Six Flags website. Join the cast and crew of the show for a "Zombie Run" race, a fully catered lunch, access to all the rides and park attractions all day and a post-premiere VIP Party at JB's Pub where you can meet cast members, get autographs and photos, and celebrate the launch of the show!  

Here's the link to buy tickets: http://www.sixflags.com/newEngland/tickets/index.aspx#. Make sure to click the link to buy tickets for "Fright Fest" and then click "Promotional Code" on the top right. Enter "Redneck" to get the discounted ticket rate of just $32.00, then pick October 13 as your date. It's so easy even a zombie could do it!

After you buy your tickets, do make sure to head over to the Six Flags New England Facebook page and say "thank you" to them for premiering our show and giving us an exciting launch.

Cast Appearances at Field of Screams and Haunted Acres

 

If you can't make the big party at Six Flags, there's still plenty of chances for you to celebrate Halloween in style with the cast of your favorite zom-com.

On October 21, we'll be at Haunted Acres in New Hampshire. These guys have one heck of a great park with tons of thrills and amazing production values, so don't miss it! 

Field of Screams is Rhode Island's best Halloween theme event and one heck of a scary show. We'll be there tentatively on Saturday October 27.

We'll be having a fun contest for a walk-on part in the show, at both events. Stay tuned here for more information!

 

Media Appearances by Cast Members

 

A few of cast members have been in local press lately, talking about their careers and the show. Ashley Tramonte talks about acting on New England Hollywood, while Emmy March is in the Marblehead Reporter where she discusses modeling, beauty, and pranks.

Premiere Announcement

The announcement of the official premiere date for Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies was made today! The text of the press release follows.

Art Aperitif Announces Premiere of Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Putnam, CT – Art Aperitif Productions is proud to announce the premiere of the new web series Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies, a horror-comedy starring Meredith Prunty, Brian Farmer, Jimmy Folco, Savannah Reinitzer, Elizabeth Percy, and Kallie Tabor. The series is written and directed by Jason Bachand.

Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies is a new entry in rapidly growing film sub-genre – the “zom-com,” or zombie comedy. The series' plot revolves around a high school cheer squad on a weekend getaway. They find themselves facing off against the hillbilly “Po'Dunk” clan who have turned themselves undead by way of a barrel of toxic chemicals. The cheerleaders must work together to survive a deadly game of cat and mouse deep in the woods of rural Connecticut.

Meredith Prunty, who just completed filming on Jason Reitman's Labor Day with Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet, stars as cheer squad captain Candie. Prunty is joined by an ensemble of rising stars on the New England film scene including Kallie Tabor, who appeared with Anne Hathaway in Bride Wars, Jimmy Folco who can be seen later this year in Marcus Nispel's Backmask, and Miss Teen New Hampshire runner-up Taylor Kudalis.

Director Jason Bachand says the series was inspired by campy but creepy films like Scream and Shaun of the Dead. “The zombies provide the scares, of course,” says Bachand. “And for the laughs, we poke fun at the dubious quality of some parts of American culture. We're lampooning two stereotypes in fact, the Jeff Foxworthy hillbilly and the persistent image of the cheerleader as vacuous and inartistic. I think ultimately we want to satirize both.” And why would redneck zombies have it in for a group of hapless cheerleaders? “It's an expression of class differences,” Bachand explains. “The cheerleaders - educated, carefree, and middle class - represent everything the rednecks dislike. These two groups are opposite poles on a continuum.” 
 

The cast unanimously praised the script and congenial atmosphere on the production. “I am thrilled to be a part of such an amazing group of people,” said Taylor Kudalis. “I cannot wait for the series premiere.” Brian Farmer, who plays Po'dunk patriarch Dwight, was lured by the chance to play a redneck zombie. “This project gave me the chance to create a unique character and explore things within myself that I never knew were there.” It was a challenge, he admits, but well worth it. “This series is without a doubt something you should see. It's new, cutting edge, and will have you hanging on by the edge of your seat.” “When I get a script, I look for any cool ways I might kill or be killed. Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies scored on all aspects for me,” said zombie performer A.F. Grant. Added Ashley Tramonte, who plays cheerleader Alexa Bell: “You will be hooked in the first few seconds!”

Other members of the cast highlighted the merits of the series as a new and exciting entry into the genre. Actress Emmy March called it “exhilarating” and hoped the audience experiences the “the energy and excitement that everyone put into it.” Jimmy Folco, meanwhile, who plays one half of the stars (and bars)-crossed couple Jed and Roseasharn (Savannah Reinitzer), said “I am happy and excited to be part of a fun and thrilling experience with a web series that I have complete confidence will succeed beyond our entire cast and crew’s wildest expectation.” Folco is hot off the set of Marcus Nispel's (Friday The 13th) Backmask. That movie was filmed at the former Ladd Institute in Exeter Rhode Island, and Folco was pleased to be called back to the same location in late August to do press and publicity for Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies. “I want everyone to watch and enjoy this crazy zombie horror story with a funny southern fried twist that I guarantee will have you’ll screaming and laughing,” he said.

Cheerleaders vs. Redneck Zombies will premiere on its own Youtube channel (http://www.youtube.com/cvsrz) on Thursday, October 17 at 8:00PM. For more information on the series, see http://www.cvsrz.blogspot.com.