HORROR MOVIES Hubbard filmmaker signs deal for distribution of zombie flick

The zombie film will be available for rental and sale in the United States in January.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- William Victor Schotten has never been to Indonesia or Thailand, but his movie will make the trip.
Schotten, head of Schotten Filmworks and director of the zombie movie "Dead Life," recently inked a deal with Brain Damage, a movie distribution company in Tempe, Ariz.
"We got international distribution first, then they took a look at the movie again and agreed to distribute domestically, too," he said.
The story of a virus that runs rampant in the Midwest, killing the living and revising the dead, "Dead Life" is the first full-length feature from Schotten Filmworks. The feature was filmed entirely in the Mahoning Valley, using local residents as cast and crew.
Other languages
Schotten is already working on transcribing the movie for actors to dub the lines into various languages as the film is sold in different countries.
"It's almost harder than when I wrote it the first time," he said with a laugh.
Brain Damage has already received offers to sell the DVDs in Germany, and in October it plans to market the film in Italy and the United Kingdom.
But the real thrill for Schotten will be when "Dead Life" hits shelves in the U.S. starting in January.
"The plans are to have it available for rental and sale in stores like Best Buy and Blockbuster," the Hubbard native explains.
Schotten, a fan of horror films his entire life, always wanted to make the type of zombie film he as a fan of the genre wanted to see. Drafting the script and casting the movie himself, it took four years for his dream to become a reality. But he's not ready to sit back and relax just yet.
New project
Already, his film company has started its next project, preproduction work for a thriller drama titled "Hide and Seek."
Schotten has already sent the script to colleagues in California for rewrites, is working on securing shooting locations throughout Trumbull County and is preparing to start casting. One role, however, is already locked up -- Hollywood veteran Joe Estevez will appear as one of the main characters.
Schotten said he contacted Estevez, brother of Martin Sheen, after seeing him in other low-budget films.
"He's just perfect for the part," Schotten said. "And it's scary how much he looks like his brother."
Written by Campbell native Dominic Koulianous, "Hide and Seek" is more of a ghost story, which is a different area for Schotten.
"It's almost something that could be shown on the Lifetime network," he says. "It's still pretty creepy, but much more toned in the violence and horror departments than 'Dead Life' was."
It's going to be a challenge, since Schotten admits he's more of a fan of "comic book-style horror," but he thinks he can make it work.
"Every film has to change you and challenge you," he explains. "With every project you take on, you have to move forward. If you find yourself taking steps backward or just staying the same, it's not worth doing it."
"Hide and Seek" will still have the signature look of Schotten Filmworks, however, Schotten adds.
"There will be some unnatural moves with the camera, some spooky photography and so on," he said. "But I guarantee it will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up."
slshaulis@vindy.com