Local filmmakers surprised by ‘Undead’ success, to hit big screen

If you ask who Ben Gregersen’s buddy is, he’ll start introducing his friends, without realizing he’s still holding-up the pants of the grotesque skeleton under his other arm.

“Oh, this is ‘Bonesy,'” Gregersen said. “I mean, when your flesh has been eaten off, there’s nothing there to hold them up.”

Gregersen is talking about his upcoming film “Undead Silence” that started as a YouTube series before catching the eye of big-name YouTube star Shay Carl Butler, whose channel was later bought-out by Disney. Later, Roku contacted the group to stream the show on its system.

“Disney had a competition to see who could help them come up with the next idea for a future possible show, and that’s who funded our filming equipment,” Gregersen said.

Now, the group who calls themselves the Scare Squad, were able to put the entire series together into a 90 minute movie which will be shown at the Reel Theater in Pocatello on Saturday, October 7th at 10:35 p.m.

“The theater said now there’s such a big demand for it, they need to close both theater rooms to show it,” Gregersen added.

But the whole thing started with Gregersen’s brother Ross, who filmed a music video with zombies to the Disturbed cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” just for fun. That’s when the brothers’ buddy Cody Dykes thought they should expand that, and a YouTube series was born.

“I don’t have any acting experience, but this is unreal,” Dykes said. “It’s kind of crazy to think our faces are going to be on a big screen here pretty soon and will be seen all over Pocatello.”

Gregersen said he hopes to continue making these movies with his brother and hopes to one day make it onto the big screen in theaters across the country.

“It’s exciting to see that this is something that actually is successful and that it’s taking off,” Gregersen said.

Although admission is free, the filmmakers are asking people to purchase concessions at the Reel Theater to help support the local facility.

Gregersen said casting is open to anyone who wants to get involved and have a fun time. You can visit the Scene Splice Facebook page to find out when and where filming will take place HERE.