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A film with bite: NM-based director Daniel Zubiate wears many hats on production of 'Vampire Lake'
Daniel Zubiate doesn鈥檛 know how to slow down.
The New Mexico-based filmmaker finds himself always creating.
Which is why in September, he began principal photography on his latest project, 鈥淰ampire Lake.鈥�
鈥淚 started shooting b-roll as early as July,鈥� Zubiate says. 鈥淚 needed the creeks to be full and I needed the foliage to look a certain way.鈥�
Principal photography began in Los Alamos over the course of four days. The rest of the film was shot on the road or in the woods.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very much a road movie,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about a journey to the lake and then the journey home.鈥�
鈥淰ampire Lake鈥� follows a woman who journeys to a secluded lake to summon a vampire.
鈥淭his girl goes to the lake and there鈥檚 a legend that she can summon a vampire,鈥� Zubiate says. 鈥淪he does it and makes a deal with him. Then he begins to start killing her companions.鈥�
Zubiate says the film is female-led.
The cast is made up of Celeste Lee, KayLynda McCune, MyKayla McCune and Chelcie Sword. Albuquerque-based actor Addison Foskey plays the vampire and Alan Humphrey plays the hitchhiker.
Zubiate has filmed dozens of film projects 鈥� this one stands out.
鈥淭his was the best filming experience I had,鈥� he says. 鈥淭his was because my entire cast was completely off book. We were able to move and create bigger scenes. Everyone was extremely professional and the weather was very cooperative. The stars aligned for this project.鈥�
Zubiate was not only at the helm as director. He wrote and produced, as well as served as the cinematographer and editor.
鈥淚 was my own director of photography,鈥� he says.
A film with bite: NM-based director Daniel Zubiate wears many hats on production of 'Vampire Lake'
Although the stars aligned for the project, there were a few challenges.
鈥淲hen you are filming outdoors, you are racing the sun,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat was one aspect I decided to embrace. I worked with the natural light to create the feel of the movie.鈥�
Zubiate also worked with Foskey for the first time and was impressed by his range.
鈥淎ddison has to be one of the best actors in New Mexico right now,鈥� he says. 鈥淗e took the role of the vampire and made it his. I didn鈥檛 have to explain anything to him. He can act.鈥�
Zubiate is planning a screening in Santa Fe or Albuquerque in January and then will send the film off for distribution.
SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.
