K.J. Kleefeld Interview

Inquests Of The Dead
(Or “Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Zombies, But Didn’t Have The Brains To Ask”)

This past September I had the opportunity to be a zombie extra in the film “The Dead Mile”. I obtained permission from the Calgary Flames Hockey Club to wear one of their jerseys for the shoot, and became “a Calgary Flames Zombie”. This allowed me to not only cross that experience off my bucket list, but gave me the opportunity to get to know the cast and crew of the film.

I have had the good fortune to become friends with K.J. Kleefeld. K.J. is a Canadian born Filmmaker and screenwriter who has been actively participating in the creation of films for the past twenty years, making quite a name for himself. Awarded a grant to attend the esteemed American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in Los Angeles, his talent and passion for the visual and creative arts is unsurpassed. The short film, “Blooming Dahlia”, starring Dita Von Teese was selected as one of the top ten films of 2004 on iFilm.com.

K.J. resides in Calgary, Alberta where the film was shot. He wrote, directed, and is now busy in post production on the film. We chatted recently.

1). Tell me in your own words what The Dead Mile is about.

The Dead Mile is about community, survival, friendship, love and Calgary. And most importantly, Zombies!

2). Where did the idea for the film come from?

I was doing a photo shoot in 2010 on 17th Ave and stumbled across a number of people dressed as zombies. I stopped a few of them and asked what was going on and was told it was a zombie walk. I’d never heard of a zombie walk before. I did some research and started thinking what it would be like if a zombie outbreak occurred during a zombie walk. It would be difficult to tell who was who in the early hours of the out break.

3). What were some of the zombie films that inspired you, and what are some of your favourites?

Early Romero films, Zack Snyder’s remake of “Dawn of the Dead”, the French film “The Horde”, “28 Days Later”, the“Resident Evil” series, the “Evil Dead” series, , I thought “Zombieland” was fun, and “Zombie Strippers” (sort of).

4). Do you prefer fast or slow zombies? What will we see in “The Dead Mile”?

I think they’re both equally scary. The slow ones seem to keep coming, they’re quiet and come out of nowhere. You know it’s going to last awhile when the zombies are slow, whereas the fast ones have an immediate scare. They jump out of the darkness and fight. You need to be I great shape to take on fast zombies. As far as the zombies in The Dead Mile, people will need to wait and see.

5). When did you become interested in film work?

When I was four or five years old. My family had a super 8 camera and a 16mm projector that we’d watch movies on. It was before video tape back in the 70’s. We’d also go to the Old Spaghetti Factory on 9th Ave, and upstairs they’d play silent movies. I’d always end up there watching them. Once our family got a video camera, I would make movies with friends. I also started acting in commercials when I was four.

6). What can you tell us about the casting of the film?

Casting was a lot of fun. I was able to meet a lot of great actors. I looked locally for many of the actors, but since I wrote specific parts for people I know that don’t live in Calgary, I was able to bring them here.

7). What can you tell our readers about the special effects for the film.

Much of the effects work was done on set; blood, guts, wounds, all the good stuff. There’ll be some computer effects put in during post production.

8). What were some of the advantages/obstacles you faced filming in Calgary?

The main advantage is that the city has a lot of untapped talent. Movies and television have shot here but nothing here has been overexposed. The film commission in Calgary was fantastic! They’ve helped me every step of the way. I guess the main obstacle would have been the weather. We got very lucky with good weather, but I was always nervous that it was either going to pour rain or even start snowing.

9). You wear many hats on the film: writer, director, what for you is the most satisfying?

Being a filmmaker.

10). When can we realistically expect to see the final product, and where?

Not sure where yet, but I’d say around September/October 2012. We’re looking into where the film will show at the moment.

11). What can you tell me about your next project.

It’s going to be a hockey movie.

12). Finally, will there be a “Dead Mile 2”, and will the “Calgary Flames” zombie have a more prominent role?

I hope there’s a Dead Mile 2. The story’s there. And of course the Calgary Flames Zombie will have a more prominent role. He’s got to take out fans with Oilers and Canucks jerseys on.

More on “The Dead Mile” may be found here: www.thedeadmile.com.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedeadmile
Twitter: @TheDeadMile