Production crew to bring zombie film to Poplar Bluff - needs extras

Wednesday, March 9, 2022
Film producers have applied to have portions of Second Street near the Daily American Republic closed for filming in April.
DAR/Donna Farley

Some Poplar Bluff streets will be closed in April — for zombies.

A feature film is going to be shot in portions of Poplar Bluff, according to a press release today from Framework Productions of New York City.

Local residents can even try out to serve as background characters, including militia, farmers, hunters, college students and zombies.

The production company will hold a casting call for background actors from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 21 at the Rust Center for Media in Cape Girardeau and at 7 p.m. March 23 at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff.

“The feature length zombie film is seeking local people (18 years or older) to be background actors in Poplar Bluff, where the film will begin production during the first week of April,” according to Framework Productions, which is coordinating with the Mass Media department at Southeast Missouri University.

Steven Pierce, a Poplar Bluff High School graduate, is leading production on the film. He said several actors from the east and west coasts will be in Poplar Bluff for the movie’s production.

“I really want to make sure we show them a very warm welcome from my hometown,” Pierce said, “so if any local artisans or businesses would be willing to help us with assembling some gift baskets for the cast and crew, we would greatly appreciate it.”

Pierce said anyone interested in helping in that fashion should contact lori@frameworkproductions.tv.

Filming begins on April 2 and concludes on April 28, they said. The background actors will work for one to two days during that time. Dates and times will be given to selected groups and a brief “zombie school” lesson will be presented to those chosen for the film.

Production crews for the film, “It Came From Within,” have also filed permit requests with the city to close local streets.

This would include Cedar Street, between the entrances of South Broadway and South Second Street, and Poplar Street, between the entrances at South Broadway (alley) and South Second Street.

They have requested to close the streets from 5 p.m. April 20 to 6 a.m. April 21 and for 5 p.m. April 21 to 6 a.m. April 22.

Poplar Bluff city manager Matt Winters is excited to see the film be produced in Poplar Bluff.

“The City of Poplar Bluff is excited to be involved in this film project and to have been chosen as a location for the filming,” Winters said. “We are also proud that Mr. Pierce has chosen to come back home to Poplar Bluff and include his hometown in this project.”

A concept teaser at www.herd.film, shows a small group of survivors trapped in a store attempting to fight off a group of thieves seeking their food supplies.

“Now is the time to have faith, faith in your neighbors,” a narrator says in a short clip over. “We are family. Because it is up to us to do what is necessary to keep safe.”

Framework Productions from New York City is producing the film and hosting the casting call. Steven Pierce, is the executive producer and director for the film. The website for the film is www.herd.film.

For further information for the local casting dates please contact Dr. Jim Dufek, department of Mass Media, SEMO at jdufek@semo.edu or 573-651-2484.

Staff writer Mike Buhler contributed information to this story.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: