On Sunday May 2nd 2010 we went to Surfside Jenny’s, a local restaurant located at 1013 Glenns Bay Rd. Surfside Beach, SC to film a scene for our up coming film ZOMBIE ROAD. The location had been secured for two weeks.
We arrive thrilled to be filming yet another scene.
Our hearts sunk when we pull in. The 5 or 6 under age kids perched on the porch, drinking alcohol, were not of our approval. We do not condone underage drinking, for starters. The owner stepped out of the door to tell us to go on ahead inside. Upon his queue we did go in and start to set up the scene. Dwayne King started applying zombie makeup on one of our actress’s Michele Edge, also known as Betty Bombshell; one of the local Roller Derby team members.
After about 50 minutes the entire crews’ lives were suddenly in danger.
The owners son stormed into the restaurant (intoxicated) grabbed Dwayne’s tripod and hurled it out the front door and proceeded to tell everyone “Get the fuck out“. He exited the restaurant, grabbed a .22 rifle and fired into the restaurant. Our cast & crew consisted of about 14 people, to include a 2year old baby. One of our makeup and special effects artists (Jeff Bracey) was assaulted as he was exiting to leave the premises. After Bracey was hit on back of the head with the rifle another kid, brandishing a .9 mm, was there pointing it at us to ensure we were leaving.
Once the cops arrived; and exited their patrol cars with their guns drawn, they discovered that the shooters were just children. One of which is the owners son. The owner, who happens to be an ex police officer, informed us that unless they find a shell casing, the legal system could do nothing. No one went to jail. Yes we’re fucking freaked out!!!
If any one knows anyone has a small restaurant that we can use to film this scene we would be more than grateful for the privilege to use it.
We are a civil group of people who like to make movies and create art. All we are asking for is a safe and secure location which we can create our art and do what we love to do. We are all good people who would not hurt a living soul.
To the cast and crew that were there today we do apologize that this happened.
We are formulating a plan to ensure that nothing like this will ever happen again. This is a first for us. Never, in the 11 years of filmmaking, have we had our lives put in danger or assaulted while filming.
Find more about Dwayne King Here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1643283669
Find more about Michele Edge Here:
http://www.myspace.com/bettybombshell
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1114935457
Find more about Jeff Bracey here:
http://bracey100.deviantart.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1576418435&ref=ts
OMG!!! That is outrageous! The owner is completely at fault! He had to know those kids were drinking and who supplied it. I’m sorry for ya’ll I would have been scared to death! These cops are condoning underage drinking, are they getting kickbacks?? Can’t belive this has happened with no one going to jail!