UNIVERSAL DEAD was written and produced by original feoamante.com alumni and producer of my short film, LAST CALL, Kelly Parks. It was directed and produced by my editor for LAST CALL, Vernon E. Mortensen. I served as Production Designer overseeing Art Direction and SFX MUA.
The cast for Webisode Two, released on June 2, 2010, said goodbye to the roles played by Michael Broderick and Cade Courtley and welcomed actor Doug Jones to the group.
Webseries: Universal Dead Starring Doug Jones, D. B. Sweeney, Gary Graham Soon to Be a Major Motion Picture – in 3-D!
Universal Dead turned out to be one of the highlights at this year's San Diego Comic-Con International, where Paramount Pictures announced that it would be the first webseries to become a full-length major motion picture. Writer/producer Kelly Parks told me that he and director/producer Vernon Mortensen have been busy in pre-production for the 3-D feature version.
Universal Dead – Episode 3
The powerful final episode of Universal Dead will leave your head spinning with it's amazing new take on the Zombie experience. Can you say "inter-dimensional hungry parasites"?
DB Sweeney talks 'Two Tickets to Paradise' and punk rock
I did this thing called Universal Dead because a friend of mine, Vernon Mortensen who served eight years in the United States Navy, wanted to be a movie director and I thought, you can support the troops in a lot of different ways and one way would be to help him get a job in a business I have some pull in. That was really my reason for getting interested and then I read the script by Kelly Parks and he is actually a trained scientist. So it was a zombie movie, written by a scientist, directed by a military guy, that's a good new stint so I jumped in. And it turns out Paramount is going to make it into a movie so maybe it will be the first web series to graduate to moviehood.
Indie Spotlight: Vernon Mortenson (Universal Dead and Unconventional Films)
It's not everyday that you see a totally original idea for a zombie film. Today I had that day! Vernon Mortensen is Director and Producer of Universal Dead. He is also a former U.S Navy SWCC. It is a real pleasure to sit down with an American Hero and one hell of a Director. With only three short webisodes, this film has me wanting more. So without delay, I present an interview on behalf of From Dusk Till Con preformed by yours truly...
A CONVERSATION WITH LOCAL FILMMAKER VERNON MORTENSEN
"Then we have this zombie movie," referring to Universal Dead, an upcoming adaptation of Unconventional Film's successful web series, which was shot entirely in East County. "We recently signed a contract with a Paramount Studio lot producer to make Universal Dead into a 3D action/horror movie. It's going to be our big break."
Universal Dead Takes on Zombies, Gets a Feature Deal
(gigaom.com) -- Oh, zombies. No matter how many times people say that the genre is dead, it comes back to life again. (Sorry.) But tales of the undead keep coming, not because of some virus-like infection, but because people keep finding new approaches to telling these stories: storytelling innovation that transcends medium.
The independently created web series Universal Dead, created by Kelly Parks, Vernon Mortensen and Neil Trusso, is just one example of this.
Universal Dead
Release Date: TBA 2011
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Vernon Mortensen
Screenwriter: Kelly Parks
Starring: Not Available
Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
MPAA Rating: Not Available
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Universal Dead Writer Kelly Parks
We took notice of the zombie web series Universal Dead because of the strong production value and cast. When Universal Dead announced they were going to be turned into into a feature film with Paramount distributing, we had to talk with screenwriter Kelly Parks, who describes himself as "America's only ex-CIA rocket scientist stand-up comic screenwriter."
Kelly was kind enough to answer some of our questions via email.
HAZ: How did this project start and what was your background before Universal Dead?
UNIVERSAL DEAD Makes 3D Leap To Big Screen
A few months ago HOH ran an article introducing you to UNIVERSAL DEAD, a zombie horror web-series starring DB Sweeney, Doug Jones and Gary Graham about a strange disease that changes people from mild-mannered citizens to mindless murderers.
The biggest winners and losers of Comic Con 2010
And you'll notice that Tron Legacy isn't on the list — in its third year at SDCC, Tron Legacy maintained the high level of buzz it already had among the SDCC crowd. There's a big difference between "buzz maintenance" and generating new buzz. Ditto for a lot of other Comic Con favorites that continued to be Comic Con favorites, but didn't really gain or lose new buzz.
So with that said, here goes, in no particular order:
The buzz winners of SDCC 2010:
Universal Dead
This zombie webseries, which co-stars our personal favorite monster Doug Jones, was a big hit of the Celebrate The Web event — and then it was announced that Paramount has optioned it as a full-length movie.
FEARNET.com
Actor Doug Jones (Legion, Pan's Labyrinth) reveals that his zombie web series is about to make the leap to a feature-length 3D movie.
July 25, 2010
SDCC10: 'Celebrate the Web' Event Wows Fans
Some of the creators at the event who showed footage or trailers from their projects included Shawna Trpcic from Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, Melanie Merkosky from Continuum, Kelly Parks from Universal Dead, Christopher Preksta and Curt Wootton from The Mercury Men and The Bui Brothers from Pryce.
San Diego 6 The CW
Television video of Director Vernon Mortensen along with Valerie Perez and Doug Jones. They're interviewed for their appearance with UNIVERSAL DEAD at Comic-Con on San Diego CW 6.
July 23, 2010
We get interviewed by Fangoria!
Kelly Parks
Vernon Mortensen and Neil Trusso.
Universal Dead – Web Series Turns Feature Length Movie
Just read that Universal Dead, a popular online Web Series about zombies, has been optioned by paramount to be turned into a feature length movie. The news comes from Comic-Con, and was announced by the lead writer/producer Kelly Parks.
Zombie Web series 'Universal Dead' to have panel at Comic-con
Comic-con takes a huge step into the future of entertainment by hosting a panel for the web series 'Universal Dead'.
Stan Lee in San Diego and the rest of the best events this week
The Marvel man Stan Lee is featured in an art show, Jim Mahfood makes a stop at a local bar and the rest of our picks of San Diego events
Special Events
Comic Iconic: With Comic-Con comes an onslaught of awesome events, and Icons, a pop-culture extravaganza featuring film, music, art and fashion, is among them. The event happens Saturday, July 24, at the Horton Plaza Event Center (the space where Steve & Barry's used to be). Highlights during the day include a musical performance by oddballs Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra, an art show of movie and music icons and a meetand-greet with the cast of the Universal Dead web series.
A Zombie's Guide to Comic-Con 2010
5) "UNIVERSAL DEAD" signing – also at the rockin' X-Sanguin booth the cast (Doug Jones, Gary Graham and Valerie Perez), screenwriter (Kelly Parks) and director (Vernon Mortensen) of "Universal Dead" (Friday 1:30pm)
ZombieChatter Universal Dead – Web Series Turns Feature Length Movie
Just read that Universal Dead, a popular online Web Series about zombies, has been optioned by paramount to be turned into a feature length movie. The news comes from Comic-Con, and was announced by the lead writer/producer Kelly Parks.
Universal Dead is old school zombie horror. The setting is five years after a zombie apocalypse has all but destroyed civilization -- a setting I wanted to explore because most zombie moves are set during the zombie outbreak itself.
UNIVERSAL DEAD will be at the San Diego Comic-Con!
We will have a presence (as in we'll be hanging out a lot but without any set times) at the Twin Suns booth (#5624). We will have Universal Dead posters up at their booth and will even provide Universal Dead showings to small groups.
Friday, July 23
Time: 1:30pm - 2:00pm
Location: X-Sanguin Booth (#433) at Comic Con
Doug Jones (Dr. Vataber), Gary Graham (Dr. Macavoy) and Valerie Perez (Angela) will be available to sign Universal Dead posters. Vernon Mortensen (director), Kelly Parks (writer) and Neil Trusso (producer) and a variety of other cast members will be on hand as well. Stop by and say hey!
Time: 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: Autograph Area (AA#18), Comic Con
Come and meet Doug Jones (Dr. Vataber), Gary Graham (Dr. Macavoy) and Valerie Perez (Angela) from UNIVERSAL DEAD, along with the writer (Kelly Parks) and the director (Vernon Mortensen)!
Saturday, July 24
Time: 1pm--2pm,
Location:
ICONS Event at Horton Plaza, Screening of Universal Dead followed by panel/Q&A. (Gary Graham, Valerie Perez, Vernon Mortensen, Neil Trusso, Kelly Parks)
Time: 4pm--5:30pm,
Location:
Celebrate the Web Event (Bristol Hotel), Sci-Fi Panel (Kelly Parks)
Time: 5pm--7pm,
Location:
Autograph Area #AA20, Universal Dead cast signing (Gary Graham, Doug Jones, Valerie Perez, Vernon Mortensen, Neil Trusso, Eddie "Feo Amante" McMullen)
Time: 9:30pm--10:30pm,
Location:
ICONS Event at Horton Plaza, Screening of Universal Dead followed by panel/Q&A. (Doug Jones, Valerie Perez, Gary Graham, Vernon Mortensen, Neil Trusso, Kelly Parks)
Time: 10:30pm--late, ICONS party
Sunday, July 25
Last Minute UPDATE!
Time: 3:00pm--5:00pm,
Location: Famous Monsters of Filmland, Booth 1503. D.B. Sweeney and Valerie Perez will be available to sign Universal Dead posters. Writer Kelly Parks, Director Vernon Mortensen, Art Director and poster designer, Eddie "Feo Amante" McMullen will be on hand.
ApniCommunity Universal Dead — Episode 3
Planet Earth is ravaged by a strange disease that turns people into mindless murderers.
July 1, 2010
3min Who's the Scientist? Universal Dead
Ehrensenf ist DIE preisgekrönte Web TV Show. Der Titel ist ein Anagramm von Fernsehen. Denn Ehrensenf ist Fernsehen – nur etwas anders. Professionell produziert liefert die Show bissige Kommentare zu Tagespolitik und wichtigen gesellschaftlichen Ereignissen.
June 30, 2010
Universal Dead Creators in Talks With Paramount Unconventional Films – creator of UNIVERSAL DEAD – is completing discussions w/ Paramount Pictures lot producers, Fishman Productions, Ltd., on a Full Length Feature version of their highly successful horror web series. An official announcement is anticipated during Comic Con where UD will be the featured Project at ICON's Saturday July 24, 2010 Event. UD Talent will be at Comic Con for signings and to meet their avid fans. - Horror-Movies
June 28, 2010
From Kelly Parks UNIVERSAL DEAD AT THE SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON
Unconventional Films – creator of UNIVERSAL DEAD – is completing discussions with Paramount Lot Producers, Fishman Productions, Ltd., on a Full Length Feature version of their highly successful horror web series. An official announcement is anticipated during the San Diego Comic Con where UD will be the featured Project at ICON’s Saturday July 24, 2010 Event. UD Talent including feoamante.com alumni, Kelly Parks and E.C.McMullen Jr., will be at Comic Con for signings and to meet their avid fans.
UD writer Kelly Parks indicates "I can't wait for fans to see the whole story!" Director Vernon Mortensen said, "Fishman Productions has the highest integrity and has really earned our respect." FPL Executive Producer, Jeff Fishman, admits being "blown away by the connection fans feel for "Universal Dead" and the Full Length Feature Script Kelly has written". The Full Length Feature script is still under wraps and Fans are hoping for some teasers during Comic Con.
UNIVERSAL DEAD PRESS RELEASE Unconventional Films – creator of UNIVERSAL DEAD – is completing discussions w/ Paramount Lot Producers, Fishman Productions, Ltd., on a Full Length Feature version of their highly successful horror web series. An official announcement is anticipated during Comic Con where UD will be the featured Project at ICON's Saturday July 24, 2010 Event.
June 25th, 2010
Tubefilter.tv 'Universal Dead': What An Ex-CIA Rocket Scientist's Web Series Would Look Like
Web series are often the passion projects of those who create them and can become a reflection of their backgrounds and talents. After all, the adage is "write what you know". So imagine what kind of web series would come out of someone whose short bio is "I am America's only ex-CIA, rocket scientist, stand-up-comic screenwriter. No, really."
June 22, 2010
SpookyDan New Zombie Web Series!
Check out the "The Universal Dead" awesome new zombie web series
Yesterday I was turned on to this pretty impressive web series called The Universal Dead!
I thought you might dig it as much as I do.
June 21, 2010
NewsODrome Watch Universal Dead Episode 2
Watch episode 2 from the web series “Universal Dead” by director Vernon Mortensen from writer Kelly Parks and starring DB Sweeney, Gary Graham and Doug Jones (Hellboy, Pan’s Labyrinth).
June 16, 2010
Tk69's Blog DOUG JONES at DARK DELICACIES
Last Friday, character actor DOUG JONES did a signing at the Dark Delicacies Book Store at its new location on Magnolia Blvd in Burbank.
Hug-A-Zombie Episode Two of Universal Dead
Web series Universal Dead has released episode 2, and finally starts to get to the root of the problem: the argument between whether the zombies are "undead" or "infected."
June 14, 2010
BlogTalkRadio Shorts & Spirits Showcase
Shorts & Spirits is a year-round, quarterly, multi-city event, which means they are always taking submissions! Craig Wilson and Mel Huffman of the Shorts and Spirits Showcase join us to talk about this awesome screening series. Kelly Parks, who has screened his web series Universal Dead at Shorts and Spirits, joins us as well.
Beyond Hollywood Zombies Invade the Web in Universal Dead
Death is universal. And so are zombies, apparently, and they’re currently everywhere, including the Interwebs. Check out the first two episodes of Kelly Parks’s ongoing web series “Universal Dead”, directed by Vernon Mortensen and starring Doug Jones (“Hellboy”), D.B. Sweeney (“24), Gary Graham (“Alien Nation”), and a bunch of badass former Navy SEALs playing badass Navy SEALs.
Univision Universal Dead — Episode 2
As civilization struggles to survive, a small team of US Navy SEALs must protect a doctor from the Center for Disease Control on a mission to evaluate the claims of an erratic scientist who may have discovered the secret to mankind?s salvation. Starring DB Sweeney, Gary Graham and Doug Jones.
June 9th, 2010
Topic: Universal Dead
UNIVERSAL DEAD was written and produced by Kelly Parks. My friend Feo Amante was the Production Designer and also played the part of the Zombie in the black "Cruel Satyr" T-shirt. - Smartest Person You Know
June 8, 2010
Horror Doug Jones Special Signing, Burbank, CA
Actor Doug Jones will be doing a signing at the new Dark Delicacies Bookstore location on Friday, June 11. He'll be signing DVDs of Hellboy 1/2, Pan's Labyrinth, and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, plus his brand new poster for UNIVERSAL DEAD. [click pic to enlarge, image (c) Feo Amante]
TheWorldInTheSatinBag
The web has proven to be a great place for amateur and accomplished filmmakers to showcase their talent. Joss Whedon gave us Dr. Horrible; Felicia Day and her pals gave us The Guild; and Sandeep Parikh gave us The Legend of Neil. Now comes Vernon Mortenson's Universal Dead, a novel attempt at a zombie-apocalypse webshow featuring D. B. Sweeney (Fire in the Sky, Jericho), Gary Graham (Alien Nation, Star Trek Enterprise), Doug Jones (Fantastic Four 2, Hellboy 2), and a crew of real life military men (one Marine and four Navy SEALs).
This is the future of entertainment! Example – Universal Dead
Reality TV has eroded Television and unfortunately through it the creative process of getting new and inventive Television series is almost a thing of the past.
COMING SOON Doug Jones, DB Sweeney Topline Universal Dead
A morsel of production value goes a long way as evident in Universal Dead, a new web series from Kelly Parks and his Unconventional Films banner.
Witty Sparks Universal Dead — Episode 2
Planet Earth is ravaged by a strange disease that turns people into mindless murderers.
Zombies: Shambling Perspectives
This post has been in the works for quite awhile. I decided it was high time to put it out there. I started watching the zombie-themed web series Universal Dead and within two episodes touches on a theme I had in mind. - Angery Panda
Doug Jones, DB Sweeney Topline Universal Dead
A morsel of production value goes a long way as evident in Universal Dead, a new web series from Kelly Parks and his Unconventional Films banner.
MindsDelight.de (Germany) Universal Dead - Episode 2
Falls ihr die erste Folge noch nicht gesehen habt, könnt ihr das zum Beispiel hier nachholen.
ZombieUnion
The title is pretty self explanatory but just encase you’re still left wondering, the second episode of the new web-series ‘Universal Dead’ is here, and it’s a day early even!
Universal Dead…Best new webseries, bar none!
They talk about physics being the basis for everything, there is a love triangle and they have Zombies, people – ZOMBIES! - Anguished Repose
June 2, 2010
TheDougJonesExperience.com Episode 2
The second episode of the web series UNIVERSAL DEAD is now live!
Zombie love triangle episode of "Universal Dead"
If you weren't already watching web series Universal Dead, this freaky new episode starring Doug Jones as a jilted mad scientist will suck you in. Zombie science soap opera WTF! - io9.com
E.C. McMullen Jr. WILLOW BLUE "'Willow Blue' will burrow under your skin and stay there long after you've put the book down."
- Jeffrey Reddick, Creator of FINAL DESTINATION
In Other Books E.C. McMullen Jr.'s
short story
CEDO LOOKED LIKE PEOPLE
in the anthology FEAR THE REAPER "This Ray Bradbury-esque is one of the most memorable and one of the more original stories I've read in a long time."
- Steve Isaak, Good Reads.
E.C. McMullen Jr.
Author page at Amazon
(Amazon.com)
Listed at GoodReads
Internet Movie Database resume (IMDb.com),
Stage 32 listing (stage32.com),
Listed at Academia.edu and is a
19 year member of the San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC).
Wikipedia 1, 2, 3, 4 Starbucks Cup #118
E.C. McMullen Jr. / Feo Amante is quoted throughout the Internet and print as a resource on,