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.
