Trivia

In 1992 Robert Rodriguez made el Mariachi, his first film, for the unheard of low budget of only $7,000.00. In 2010, 18 years later, Ace the Zombie, producer/ director Giles Shepherd's first film, was made for the princely sum of only $6,000. Rodriguez shot on 16mm so most of his budget went to film and processing. Ace was shot on HD so most of the budget appears on screen in the form of costumes, props, makeup and one location, Bill Ireland Youth Detention Center, which cost $650.00 to use for one 3 day weekend.

The production team was comprised of professionals, all volunteers, from In Our Image Productions led by veteran film maker Richard Hempton. The cast consisted of 40 named characters, mostly Atlanta based professional actors, also volunteers, and over a hundred zombie and human extras. Special Makeup and Effects were provided by 9COP FX and Promotions led by Ondie Daniel. There was very little money left over for catering so most days cast and crew brought their own lunches. Some of the cast, crew and extras drove 100 miles or more one way, some several times, to participate in the movie.

The film was shot in 31 days, mostly weekends beginning mid June 2010 until shooting wrapped on November 14, 2010.

To raise the $6,000.00 budget producer/director Giles Shepherd sold his car, a classic Mercury, his gun collection, jewelry and most of his antique furniture.

The Zombie Control Facility scenes were shot at Bill Ireland Youth Detention Center in Milledgeville, GA. After trying unsuccessfully for three months to secure the location, they had pretty much written it off. Meanwhile four other potential locations had fallen through. Three days before the scheduled shoot they received permission to film at the YDC. Shooting took place in shifts for 30 1/2 hours straight from Saturday at 5:00 pm until Sunday at 11:30 pm. Four members of the team stayed awake the entire time. The tunnel escape scene was saved for last as a reward. Ace is the first project to film at Bill Ireland Youth Detention Center.