Icons of Fright News and Updates: EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: Babylon Fields, Upcoming CBS Zombie Series.

Icons of Fright stumbled upon the final day of shooting for the pilot episode of "Babylon Fields", the upcoming zombie horror series that will be airing on CBS.

(Welcome Ain't It Cool News visitors, thanks for coming by, be sure to check out the rest of Icons of Fright while you're here!)

Today as I was crawling out of bed my brother called me. "Mike. There's a bunch of zombies and cops at the cemetery up the street". What? Could it be? The end of the world, right at my doorstep? I grabbed my cameras and jumped into my car to check it out.

Right at the end of my block at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale, NY there was indeed a mass infestation of the living dead. I couldn't believe my eyes. Zombies. And cops. And...production assistants?! I immediately put on my reporter hat (it's green, kind of houndstooth/plaid pattern, looks good, great stuff) and searched for anyone who might look like they were in charge. I approached one zombie who told me he was just with the casting agency and he pointed me to a P.A.

The P.A ended up being a nice young woman named Sara, a location manager. She told me this was the final day of shooting on the pilot of "Babylon Fields". It's being directed by Michael Cuesta (who has directed episodes of the cable series "Dexter" and "Six Feet Under" and wrote and directed the feature "L.I.E."). The series will star Ray Stevenson ("Rome") and Amber Tamblyn ("The Grudge 2").

I noticed that the zombies looked very old-school, and I mean old-old school like "Night of the Living Dead". The extras I saw all were in suits and funeral clothing with a smattering of gray and white makeup. There didn't appear to be any big prosthetic zombies. The scene they were shooting seemed to involve the zombies making their way out of the cemetery gate, as the extras filed in and out of it several times over the course of 2 hours. There was heavy use of fog machine and big water trucks coming around several times to make sure the cemetery streets were kept wet at all times. I didn't see any of the major stars of the show, just a lot of extras doing the zombie shuffle, or hanging out and sitting on the street or tombstones waiting for the director to call them back in. I also thought it was pretty funny that the production's only bathroom was in the back office of a Christian book store right next to the cemetary. Watching zombies go in and out of the bookstore, that's comedy.

The PA I spoke with said the mood and atmosphere they appear to be going for was kind of tongue-in-cheek. I could believe that, based on how the zombie extras looked, but I suppose we'll have to wait for the series to air to find out. I mean, Cuesta's other work on "Dexter" certainly shows he's got a penchant for the darkly humorous. So, anyway, here's the pictures I managed to get. It's mostly pictures of zombie extras, sorry about that, it was tough getting closer because they were making heavy use of the edge of the cemetery. Also, the quality is a bit tough, these are mostly screen grabs from my camcorder. I was very unprepared for class, with just my cell phone and camcorder, but dude, when someone says you've got zombies at the end of your block you grab and run. Run right toward them!

On the set of Babylon Fields

Camera operator following a black car (unseen) into the cemetery gate with zombie extra emerging.

Zombie extras leaving cemetary on the set of Babylon Fields

Zombie extras leaving the cemetery on the set of Babylon Fields.

Zombie extras leaving the cemetary on the set of Babylon Fields

More zombie extras shuffling out of the cemetery.

Camera following car into cemetary on the set of Babylon Fields

Same deal, zombie extras.

Zombie extra on the set of Babylon Fields

This zombie extra looked a little like Denholm Elliot.

Zombie extras heading off the to bathroom.

Here's a few zombies heading over to the Christian bookstore to use the bathroom.

Location manager and cop stopping traffic. Not that you need a cop to stop traffic when you've got a cemetary full of zombies.

Cop and location manager stopping traffic. Not that you need a cop to stop traffic when the living dead are running around the cemetery. I almost saw 2 car accidents happen while people hit the brakes to do double-takes.

A dreaded sunny day, so I'll meet you at the cemetary gates...on the set of Babylon Fields

A dreaded sunny day, so I'll meet you at the cemetery gates. Elenore Roosevelt-looking zombie.

So, Murray, what'd you have for lunch, brains? Zombies chillin' on the set of Babylon Fields.

The zombies do look a like like homeless people for this series. I wonder if they'll use scarier makeup in other scenes?

Zombie moustasch rides. On the set of Babylon Fields

Free zombie mustache rides.

Zombie extra on the set of Babylon Fields

This guy's chewed off ear was the most elaborate makeup I saw on the set. Hope they're saving the big stuff for the show.

Warming up the living dead on the set of Babylon Fields

She's cold because she's dead. Or homeless.

This zombie extra looked like Denholm Elliot. On the set of Babylon Fields This guy wasn't getting a lot of attention. Neat costume. Babylon Fields set.

This guy was sitting there all day. I never got close enough to see if he was maybe just a puppet.

Keeping the streets wet on the set of Babylon Fields

They kept the streets wet and shiny.

Nice zombie extra. Yea, they look a little homeless. Set of Babylon Fields

Comments

I loved the Pilot! If only CBS picked it up...

Posted by: Jon | December 15, 2007 11:03 AM

Hi Mike, please contact me right away at gary@rue-morgue.com. We're running a story on this un-aired show and I need pics. I'm hoping you can help us. Great post and thanks!

Posted by: gary | November 27, 2007 04:13 PM

there will be no show, the network didn't order it.

Posted by: winnie | October 9, 2007 08:41 AM

I'd lik to say that i am one of the extra's from babylon fields. I am in the 2nd photo. I'm the guy who is looking down to the side wearing a bright brown sweater jacket. I'll just say that it is one of my favorite jobs yet. And FYI-We are not zombies. We are the living dead. Zombies go around feeding on other people. We as living dead do not. Find out more when you watch the show.

Posted by: Max Robkoff | September 30, 2007 04:07 AM

Yes, I caught the Smith's reference also, well done! While I'm looking forward to some prime time zombie drama just as much as the next fellow, I hope that the convential conceptions of zombies as shambling husks barely uttering gutteral lamentations is not absoulty discarded. From what I'm getting so far, these zombies will be rather verbose and yearning for more than just brains, but unrequieted love and lost expectations. OK I'll buy that, but will it be enough to keep me coming back? Whining zombies complaining about how much they miss being alive or how it is such a inconveience to be amongst the living dead? I'll be watching. Thanks

Posted by: Patrick Wheeler | September 13, 2007 05:09 PM

Posted by: Patrick Wheeler | September 13, 2007 05:05 PM

I was also one of the Greenfield Cemetery Zombies. The original air date was suposed to be June 1st but I can find nothing on the CBS web site. Does anybody know the planned air date?

Posted by: Beak | May 23, 2007 02:35 PM

susan the guy in the picture is most definitely not ray stevenson. i propped the show and the guy's jacket was his, he is NASSAU COUNTY POLICE.

Posted by: C Diddy | May 21, 2007 05:16 PM

I worked as an extra in the cemetery scene, too. Super nice crew and we had a good lunch! If you're working as a zombie in the future, get yourself a bottle of hospital shampoo... doesn't need water to wash the hair. And you will definitely want to wash it!

Posted by: notdeadyet | May 11, 2007 10:29 AM

An independent zombie pilot is being created in Utah. Click here for details, photos and video: http://www.sltrib.com/features/ci_5681761

Posted by: waffles34 | May 2, 2007 11:50 AM

I just saw the pilot at a scrfeening in Las Vegas. It is awesome. These set pics don't do it justice and the big effects were saved for the main parts of the show. It's a spooky, funny, thought provoking show. It's like TWIN PEAKS meets Buffy, meets Desperate Housewives. I'm hard to please when it comes to tv shows, but this one will definately be one to watch!

Posted by: Anonymous | May 1, 2007 08:43 PM

I PLAYED ONE OF THE LIVING DEAD. IT WAS AWESOME - IT WAS A 16 HOUR WORK DAY- - HOPE THE SHOW GETS PICKED UP- AND I GET TO WORK ON IT AGAIN.

Posted by: HLR | April 27, 2007 03:45 PM

I really hope this show does well because I had so much fun working on it. -Nicole 3-27-07

Posted by: Nicole | April 27, 2007 03:00 PM

I believe the French film called "They Came Back" is what drengy is talking about. If so, the people who came back to life in the film were not zombies but not altogether human. It was like they were a shell of their themselves before their previous demise.

Posted by: Nightshade N. Darko | April 17, 2007 05:46 PM

i was there on the sets in baldwin when the zombies break windows and stuff trying to get food and other things.I think it looks really good i hope it gets picked up for a show but only if they shoot it in ny. ON LONG ISLAND. it brings tons of money into our towns and work for alot of people besides the film crews hope they dont try to shoot it in california its about Babylon,L.I. new york. Hope the writers fight to keep it here!!! Ill be there biggest fan otherwise I wont watch it at all.

Posted by: mayeyes57 | April 17, 2007 12:49 PM

My mom's company was the company you see with the head stones out in front it was pretty neat to watch them tape the show I was talking to the zombie in the orange coat and she was just getting over a cold the man sitting on the railing on the side was real and it was weird to see the zombies wip out there cell phones between takes and chat it up with friends :)

Posted by: Lauren | April 10, 2007 01:18 PM

This was fun!! I was a zombie on set and enjoyed every second. The staff, film crew, and the town officers were great and look foward with working with them again. This is set up for TV and will be a good show. The zombies were mostly set up like.. What is going on? Where am I? What just happened? Enjoy it!

Posted by: Jason CanneLongo | April 7, 2007 10:49 AM

Yes, I'm sure it is Ray that jacket he is wearing says Bkjyyh0abylon police and I was there.

Posted by: susan | April 7, 2007 10:15 AM

The show is supposed to be a "dramedy" The zombies I saw were not at all scary looking. There are a few storlines going on all at once. Ray's wife comes back from the dead while he is in a relationship with Leila. Jaimee comes back and asks Ray to help him solve a homicide...his. Looks cool to me.

Posted by: Zombie Love | April 6, 2007 10:28 AM

Ray Stevenson plays a Detective on the show. Amber Tamblyn is in it, so is Jaimie Sheridan and Leila Arcieri. They were on Long Island shooting for about two weeks. Hempstead, Freeport, Baldwin, West Hempstead and Uniondale. The cemetery scene was the best day

Posted by: Zombie Love | April 6, 2007 10:24 AM

that guy was NASSAU COUNTY PD, not Ray.

Posted by: C Diddy | April 5, 2007 06:52 PM

Yea? You sure that's Ray? I was pretty sure that guy was just with the Nassau County Police, he kept moving the traffic cones around when they were going to shoot. --Mike

Posted by: Mike-cons of Fright | April 5, 2007 03:52 PM

HEY YOU DID SEE A STAR THE COP PICTURE WITH LOCATION MANAGER.YOUR 7TH IN THE SERIES OF ZOMIE PHOTOS IS RAY STEVENSON (ROME) HE PLAYS A COP AND IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT

Posted by: SUSAN | April 5, 2007 03:28 PM

Posted by: SUSAN | April 5, 2007 03:27 PM

For those who are let down by the zombie make-up. My guess is they'll probably add some on to them with CGI. The plot sumary is "The dead return to earth in an attempt to restore old wounds." The 'old wounds' suggests tradgedy of some kind, maybe revenge.

Posted by: House Gamer | April 5, 2007 08:29 AM

SORRY DEVON FOR MY FIRST MESSAGE: MY APOLOGIES. THE MESSAGE IS NOT FOR YOU, BUT FOR A RETARDED, "hiding in NJ"

Posted by: Covenant | April 4, 2007 03:50 PM

X Devon McShane: YOU ARE VERY, VERY STUPID!!! FUCK OFF!! THE WALKING DEAD IS THE BEST COMIC IN THE WORLD. I HOPE THAT SOMEONE MAKE A GOOD TV SHOWS WITH THIS COMIC. IN BABYLON FIELDS ARE NOT "REAL ZOMBIE'S". WHY A COMEDY DRAMA??? WHIT NOT A NORMAL HORROR SERIE'S??

Posted by: Covenant | April 4, 2007 03:46 PM

I pity the fool above who "detests" Walking Dead, the best zombie comic to ever hit the planet. Poor sap.

Posted by: hiding in your mom | April 4, 2007 01:30 PM

There are several zombie books in which corpses reanimate and attempt to resume their normal lives, but they don't make movies or TV shows out of those books for a reason. BORING! Hope this isn't that. I detest Walking Dead, but it would make a much more interesting show.

Posted by: hiding in NJ | April 4, 2007 12:16 PM

As a homeless guy I take offense to that, I'll have you know that I have my clothes cleaned and neatly pressed and I bathe regularly! I hope you don't stop at my corner because I'll clean your windows and leave streaks!

Posted by: Devon McShane | April 4, 2007 12:14 PM

i would have loved to be the guy to get the phone call that said, "hey, um...you know that cemetery right by our house? Yeah, there are a bunch of zombies walking around it right now."

Posted by: Techno Weenie | April 4, 2007 11:15 AM

Your constant digs at homeless people are lame and unimaginative. Grow the hell up. Why don't you criticize how pathetic the zombies looked, no sign of decay on corpses a hundred years old? No, all you can do is say, "Derrrr, lookie, they look dirty and homeless. Ha Ha." Asshat.

Posted by: Tim Caldwell | April 4, 2007 11:06 AM

From what I've heard this is a take off of a French show. The zombies aren't your typical brain eaters but simply reanimated people. They try to return to their lives as before but find that much has changed since they died. It's more of a weird drama than anything else.

Posted by: Proteinstar | April 4, 2007 10:28 AM

My guess is that because it's a primetime network show, they can't get too graphic with the makeup. Also, it might be too expensive to do all that zombie makeup every week for 22 weeks (if they get picked-up). I bet that there's one or two really scary zombies every so often though - kinda like how the CSI shows have a gruesome corpse now and again.

Posted by: drengy | April 4, 2007 07:43 AM

I for one relish the idea of a zombie show. Seeing how the survivors deal with the situation over a longer period of time (like the comic The Walking Dead) is all I want right now. Regarding the zombie design - since this is only the pilot, presumably the zombies have only just 'risen from the dead' - hence not much make up. As time goes by and flesh decays, perhaps the make up will become more scary...

Posted by: Paul | April 4, 2007 04:54 AM

I wonder how many people caught The Smiths reference... Honestly I'm skeptical about a zombie televsion show. Let alone one on CBS. Plus it's common knowledge that zombies don't congregate around cemetaries. I mean they can't escape from coffins if that's what the show is trying to convey. It's 6 feet underground and they're way too weak. It's just not happening.

Posted by: Pazuzu | April 3, 2007 09:44 PM

Yes!!! Zombies! Can't wait!Thanks for the sneak picks!!!

Posted by: connie | April 3, 2007 08:38 PM

The News Department of Icons of Fright.com, featuring your WIOF Die-Witness News Team

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES: Babylon Fields, Upcoming CBS Zombie Series.

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