What do puppets, marshmallows, and bread have in common? They are all features in our #ZeroLife video projects and trailers for forthcoming works. We have a handful of video projects lined up and already out, so here is a quick recap of this month’s goodies. We have a trailer for our upcoming puppetry film “The Mattress”, a #ZeroLife of the gang eating gross marshmallows, and an upcoming Christmas song that will be posted soon.

As promised, “Banana But Bread”:

Check out “The Mattress” trailer here (viewable on YouTube):

Check out “#ZeroLife Marshmallow Roulette” (viewable on YouTube):

Trailer #1:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQjVHnC5mNk

Trailer #2 “Car Trailer”:

in[SOMNIA] flyer by Merideth Harvey

in[SOMNIA] flyer by Merideth Harvey, EC version

Under the direction of Katherine Orozco-Verderber and Michael Verderber, the trailer pays homage to a horror classic.

Trailer #3 “We All Are” –

Some incriminating videos of the Zero Untitled gang have popped up recently, so we turned them into #ZeroLife videos. For those not in the know, #ZeroLife is our short work series of random behind-the-scenes, short works, video mini projects, music covers, and other assorted goodies that don’t fit into our Main Stage season nor into Textual Overture.

The two recently released videos, both filmed by Rebekah Ramos, are out now. The first, “And Then There Were FUN!” is a rehearsal outtake in which actor O’Ryan White improvises his final speech to the enjoyment of the cast in our 2016 production of “And Then There Were None”. You can see the video at the bottom of this post.

The second, “Basketball Diaries” is a narrated by Ramos and Katherine Orozco-Verderber. While we were doing productions at The Elks Lodge, the Elks asked us to help out with a basketball event for some local kids. Having arrived early, the gang decide to TRY to shoot some hoops.

UPDATE (Sept 26). A demo of an acoustic rock song called “My Eyes Met Yours” by Michael Verderber!

UPDATE (Nov 4). “How ‘Bout Them Apples?” (The ZU crew failing at the Apple Splitting Challenge).

Our experimental science fiction short has been released on YouTube! Check it out below!

“Zellen” is a sci-fi silent film developed around the score. The music came first and then the film was conceptualized from the music and sound effects. In essence, it was scored in reverse more like a music video. The primary purpose of the film is to experiment with the score, audio SFX, and the aural qualities developed from a bounty of synthesizers and experimental music equipment.

Our bi-annual Outdoor Rehearsal has wrapped up for the week! We got to meet a LOT of really cool people and even had a several folks come all 4 nights! Not only did we shake the dust off, but got to introduce folks to what we do in our experimental theater company!

We played improv games like CATball, How Did You Do It?, dabbled in improvisational dramatic monologues and scenes, and even had a frisbee duel! Here are some pics of all of the random stuff we did! More pics have been posted on our Facebook pages.

 For those interested in seeing what we are cooking for this coming season, we are having our annual “Outdoor Rehearsal” series on the TAMUK campus. Like last year, we will be outside of the Main Dining Hall / Cafeteria area (for the convenience of our student-actors) for two days. For the latter two days, we will be by the infamous Javelina statues.

We will be performing/rehearsing for everyone. We will present both comedic improv games with our Premature Punchline crew, some angst-ridden scene work with our Dramatica Team, and trying some new stuff to get the dust off, and more, all with the hopes that you will join us, hang out, see what we do, and just have a good time! This is a FREE event and there is no obligation to participate (but you would have more fun if you did!). All events start at 6:00.

Aug 20 @ 6:00 – Main Dining Hall / Cafeteria

Aug 21 @ 6:00 – Main Dining Hall / Cafeteria

Aug 22 @ 6:00 – Javelina Statues

Aug 23 @ 6:00 – Javelina Statues

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Some photos from previous years! (See the “Outdoor Rehearsals” page for more!)

Although not a new branch, OBJECT-ionable Puppetry will be a new series of short works featuring puppets. At the moment, we will be constructing and designing projects with rod puppets instead of the more popular sock and marionette.

Primarily dealing with found objects (hence the name) as puppets, the projects will be quirky, experimental and done through various mediums. Although no specific puppet project is slated for release, we are looking at filming some of our homemade puppets for commercial use, skits, plays, or short film teasers. Here is a photo of the first puppets that are in development.

 As a special and fun little treat, ZU head Katherine Orozco-Verderber put together an album of Christmas covers just in time for the holidays!

“All is Calm, All is Bright” is a YouTube-exclusive release so head over to our YouTube page to give it a listen. The album was released Dec 14, 2018.

The album has two exclusive original tracks taken from our 2016 film “Christmas Off The Shelf”.

 At about 2 months development time for filming, writing, and music composing, the experimental dystopian film, “Zellen: A Soundscape” has been officially completed. The film has already been submitted to one local festival, one US festival, and two international festivals.

Should the film not make it into any of these festivals, we will be having our very own screening of the film. More information on that as it comes.

Cast and crew information is below.

Writer/Director/Score: Michael Verderber

Cast:

RIGGS – Kylie McIntosh

EMMA – Liz Gribbon McCoullough

PATROL LEADER – Mike McCoullough,

PATROL GUARD – Katherine Orozco-Verderber

SVENJA – Ryann Haese

CHILD –  Addison Akin

LEOPOLD – O’Ryan White

Director of Photography: Katherine Orozco-Verderber

Senior Editor: Josue Villarreal

Crew: Amber Badger, Liz Gribbon McCoullough, Josue Villarreal, Gabriel Ruiz, Julio Martinez, Zulema Villarreal, Robert Trujillo, Andrea Lorin