Local business featured in Banbury Zombie Apocalypse short film

Banbury Zombie Apocalypse is a community project run by Flashbuzz, a local video marketing company, designed to support local businesses, our town and the lovely people that live there.

Rob Hutt, the writer and director of the film, said: "We created a completely different narrative where Banbury was overrun by Zombies."

They filmed and released the first episode last month, which featured a local town centre business called Strummer Room Records. Rob also stars in the film as part of a documentary film crew who heads to a local business to interview its owner about some unusual activity in town.

The short film can be watched through following YouTube link: https://youtu.be/VgmoWb6muqQRob added: "We had over 15,000 views on the first episode so it was really well received. I didn't know there were so many zombie fanatics in Banbury. I feel like there's been an emotional response to it.

"At the heart of it, it's escapism. It's a scary world out there right now. There's very little good news or escapism out there unless you go to Netflix, but nothing local. I think it gives people a bit of breathing space.

"A zombie apocalypse is an excuse to step out of your own shoes with a different perspective because it's a bit tongue and cheek too.

"I think it represents the alternatives in life for people. At the moment your social circle is diminishing and you can't go on holiday so you need that escapism. It's providing a very human connection when that's something that's really needed right now."

The start of auditions and filming for the second episode were delayed due to the second lockdown. But they hope to start auditions and filming next month after the second lockdown.

Rob added: "We've got a long list of businesses, and we plan to work our way through them. We've currently got hair dressers, pubs, plumbers and Banbury college has said we can use their laboratory. The plan is to kind of put a spotlight on each business.

"It's an alternative way of showcasing businesses and putting Banbury on the map too."

Flash Buzz is running the Banbury Zombie Apocalypse as a not for profit project. Although, they will likely organise some crowdfunding in the future to help fund the filming. As popularity for the series grows producers hope to attract some celebrities to the series.

Rob said: "The idea is to make it bigger and better for the betterment of the town."

Anyone interested in being a zombie in the one of the upcoming episodes can join the Banbury Zombie Apocalypse (BZA) casting group's Facebook page through the following web link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/326601842049941Anyone interested in their business featured in one of the upcoming episodes can join the BZA business Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/680687682530865Anyone interested in helping with any element of production in one of the upcoming episodes can join the BZA Production Facebook Group through the following web link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/332780434566513For more information about the Banbury Zombie Apocalypse (BZA) see the following web link: https://flashbuzz.co.uk/banbury-zombie-apocalypse/