Contest open to get the first audition in zombie movie ahead of Wednesday's open call

There are only a few days left until an open background casting call for the zombie film “HERD” comes to Poplar Bluff and Doniphan, but residents will have a chance to win a chance to be on the producers’ shortlist for casting before that.

The casting call will take place Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Tinnin Center auditorium on the campus of Three Rivers College. A contest taking place now on the Daily American Republic’s Facebook page will give the winner a guaranteed first audition by getting the most likes on their audition video before noon Tuesday. The Daily American Republic has partnered with Framework Productions and Poplar Bluff Realty to offer this early opportunity to area residents.

The filmmakers are seeking local people to be background actors in Poplar Bluff and Doniphan. Some of the characters they seek include militia, farmers, hunters, college students — and of course, zombies.

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Poplar Bluff native Steven Pierce is the film’s director and executive producer, and he has some advice for those interested in playing zombies. Unlike traditional zombie movies and TV shows like “The Walking Dead,” the zombies in “HERD” are not the re-animated dead. They are infected with a deadly virus — a premise slightly reminiscent of the movie “28 Days Later.”

“The first distinction for our (zombies) are they are not the undead, but infected people,” Pierce said. “(They have) a fast-moving disease that causes extreme brain fever and drives people out of their minds with unbearable headache-like pain. They have two different paces and movement styles. They wander around moaning in the agony from the disease until they attack. And then they are like vicious animals — think rabies mixed with Ebola.

“What would be fun to see is people wander, slowly in pain, then (do) their most vicious feral attack.”

Pierce said the filmmakers are not looking for “full Halloween costumes” in their auditions.

“Our zombies are wandering around and get dirty, scratched up (and have) tattered clothes,” Pierce said. “So showing something you might bring in that vein would be cool.”

Pierce wants prospective actors to have fun with what they’re doing.

“We are playing pretend, so allow yourself to have fun first and know everyone doing this will be looking and feeling quite a bit silly,” Pierce said. “That feeling means you’re doing it right.”

Pierce also encourages prospective auditioners to not overthink things.

“Have fun,” Pierce said. “Turn off the self-editor and just have a good time.”

Entering is the Facebook contest is easy. Just post a 60-second clip of your best zombie impression to the post pinned to the top of the DAR’s Facebook page. The post with the most likes by noon Tuesday will win the audition.

Not only will the winner get the first chance to audition Wednesday, they will also instantly move to the producers’ shortlist to be considered for casting.

Filming begins April 2 and concludes April 28. Filmmakers will need the background actors for 1 to 2 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.

Prospective actors are required to have proof of vaccination, and rapid COVID tests will be administered upon arrival on set. Filmmakers have said they prefer to maintain an 18 and up age for background performers for ease of production logistics unless they call out an age range specifically.

For more information, contact TRC instructor Steve Lewis at slewis@trcc.edu with any questions.

Producers have also released the following filming details:

(background days & numbers note all are subject to change)

4/4 - Warehouse Stairs Flashback / Old Family Photo, Poplar Bluff, FEATURED BACKGROUND - Faceless Woman (recurring so seeking a person that can do multiple days), Mid-late 40’s, Caucasian, Will be styled in a 90s-ish fashion, FEATURED BACKGROUND - Young Jamie (recurring so seeking a person that can do multiple days), 5-13-year-old, Caucasian, Brunette, Morning filming time

4/5 - Catholic Church, Doniphan (location TBC), FEATURED BACKGROUND - Faceless Woman (same as above), FEATURED BACKGROUND - Young Jamie (same as above)

4/5 - College House Party, Poplar Bluff or Doniphan (TBC), 10-12 Background, College Age, nondescript clothing but normal, Evening - Night filming time

4/10 (4/9 Backup dates for rain) - Hospital waiting room, Doniphan, 6 background, all ages and genders, normal clothing, Filming daytime, likely morning or midday

4/13 & 14 - Dinner scene, Poplar Bluff, 8 background, farmers and blue-collar workers of all genders and ages, Filming daytime, TBD on exact hours

4/16 & 17 & 18 - Vet Office, Poplar Bluff, FEATURED BACKGROUND - Vet Office Hep, Large, imposing, Any gender/Age, Physical role so good movement skills required, Will have prosthetics used & likely contact lenses so making sure they are comfortable, 2 background - Supplemental Vet Office Heps, Any gender/age, Overnight shoot all nights

4/19 - Warehouse Ext Battle, Poplar Bluff, 6 Gruber Militia, farmers, hunters, shop keepers, etc, All genders and ages, 5 Sterling Militia

police, military, clean-cut, All genders, 25-50 years preferred, Overnight filming; Seeking 2 hair and make up assistants for this night

4/20 - Downtown Showdown, Poplar Bluff, 6 Gruber Militia (can be same as last time, but not required), farmers, hunters, shop keepers, etc, All genders and ages, 6 Sterling Militia (can be same as last time, but not required) police, military, clean-cut, All genders, 25-50 years preferred; Seeking 2 hair and make up assistants for this night; Overnight filming

4/21 - Alleyway - (Hep crazy night) - Rain backup 4/23; Poplar Bluff; FEATURED BACKGROUND - Long-haired Hep, Any age/gender

Physical role so good movement skills required, Will have prosthetics used & likely contact lenses so making sure they are comfortable, 30 background Heps for a hoard, stagger down an alleyway so no major physical requirements other than being comfortable on your feet for long periods of time; Seeking Hair and Makeup assistants on this day as well. 3-4 people, Overnight filming

4/27 - Catholic Church / Mourning man / Playground, around Poplar Bluff, FEATURED BACKGROUND - Faceless Woman (same as above), FEATURED BACKGROUND - Young Jamie (same as above), Daytime Filming

Editor’s note: The original working title for the film was, “It Came From Within.” The current title is “HERD.”