Photo provided by the Arts Council of Kern.

The Baker Street Library hosted several days of shooting. Here, Director Joey Travolta watches the scene unfold from the monitor. Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Kern

Actors Michael Breazzeal (left) and Matthew Faith (right) go to their zombie happy place prior to shooting their scene. Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Kern

Actor Braxton Miller gets final zombie touches from makeup crew member Marnie Clark. Photo courtesy of Arts Council of Kern

By Lisa Pinson

This time a year ago, Hollywood was cashing in on vampires with films such as “Twilight.” By fusing horror and romance, producers were able to create a hybrid genre that appealed to both genders.

This year, zombie flicks are making a revival. By melding comedy and horror, “Zombieland” (in theaters now) proves movie-goers are anything but dead. Locally, a unique group of Bakersfield filmmakers are hoping to capture a lively, undead audience with its very own “Zombie High.”

The Arts Council of Kern and the Kern Regional Center teamed up with Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films to offer a creative arts workshop for Kern citizens with disabilities. As a result, disabled filmmakers have written and directed a 30-minute feature that will premiere at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Fox Theater.

For several months, students prepared for the production of “Zombie High” in the basement of a Goodwill Store. They divided the roles among themselves, such as screenwriting, casting, directing and make-up.

Those involved with the production have chosen not to disclose too much information regarding the plot in order to keep audiences surprised. However, what can be noted is that “Zombie High” is not a close adaptation of the 1987 cult favorite that holds the same title. It is, however, inspired loosely by “The Breakfast Club” in that a female student is given detention. Jill Egland of the Arts Council also discloses there is a “co-opted evil scheme to take over the world.”

The genesis of this project began when Egland saw room for more visual arts services in Kern County. When she had heard of Joey Travolta’s involvement with Inclusion Films, a cinematic workshop devoted to the disabled, she e-mailed him suggesting a collaboration. Travolta responded favorably, and made a trek from Burbank to meet with Egland. Through their shared vision, Kern County would produce its own vision of arts enterprise. (Joey Travolta is the brother of actor John Travolta.)

Egland and Travolta are next anticipating a full-length feature. Egland would like to further expand Kern County’s involvement in upcoming projects and is hoping to pull in partners in the business community. “Can it be sustained in Bakersfield? Is Kern County big enough? How big can we serve?” she asks.

Shooting “Zombie High” proved to be beneficial to the participants’ professional growth and skills – which can be translated to any business.  Says Travolta, “It gave them more confidence. It gave them a voice that gives an under-served population a place to express themselves and everyone should be entitled to that.”

“Zombie High” will provide many laughs and free entertainment for the whole community to enjoy, but more importantly, it will bring forth awareness and the opportunity to serve. Egland aspires, “Everyone has a vital role in community. People need to figure out what that is.” Unlike the zombies portrayed in the film, Bakersfield citizens are anything but lifeless.

“Zombie High” premieres at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Fox Theater, 2001 H St. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free.