Vacant is a short film by William McKnight, made while attending Vancouver Film School. The film is about a couple trying to survive in a post apocalyptic zombie world. They manage to find comfort in each other as they make the best of things. Their relationship will be put to the test for temptation has also managed to survive.

Vacant was an excellent short film. It was shot well, the acting was good, and had an interesting story. The zombies were few and far between, but compared to some of the films we've watched this would be considered overflowing with zombies. This was a good take on the struggles a relationship would have during the apocalypse as it would be tempting to create an issue just to give you a problem to solve.

Your role was?
I wrote and directed it but the entire crew was very small and we all did everything as a team, including the cast.

How did this film come about?
I originally wrote a zombie script about 5 years ago. Then, when I went to film school in 2008-2009 our class of 30 had to have a script writing competition where 6 scripts would be chosen. One policy at the school was no zombie films so I originally was working on two other ideas but as those fell through, I decided to pitch the concept of a dramatic period piece based in a post-apocalyptic, zombie setting. Intentionally, the word zombie is never said on screen nor was it ever mentioned in the script. Before seeing the makeup the script may have been interpreted as a non-zombie film (I don't think I fooled anyone). Although the original script from 5 years ago was basically edited out scene by scene, those were the begins of the idea.

What is next for you? What will your next movie be?
I'm in Hong Kong where my roommate and I, who just so happens to be the producer of Vacant, have started a Graphic Design/Motion Graphics company that we plan to move to Vancouver in December and heavily incorporate film production.
We are also currently in post-production for a 20 minute short film called "Armadillo". We have 3 shorts in planned for February which should be complete, after post-production, by mid-to-late 2011 for festival release.  I'm also writing a feature length zombie film in Hong Kong at the moment.

Which do you prefer Fast or Slow Zombies?
Definitely fast but I love both. It's great that both situations bring different types of problems.

What is your weapon of choice for taking on Zombies?
This may sound corny but I think the ultimate weapon is cardio - just RUN! If you want an actual weapon I would say, not necessarily for practicality, the machete. There are definitely better weapons out there and I would fear anything that may get lodged in, like a machete, but they just look cool.

What is your favourite Zombie Film?
28 Days Later, but honourable mention to Dead Alive (Brain Dead), Evil Dead 1 and 2, Dawn of the Dead (new and old), Bad Taste (if you count it), and I feel like I'm forgetting some really important ones.
 
Worst Zombie Film?
Re-animator 2 was pretty awful... but I think films like that might be funny under different circumstances one day. I need a re-watch.

Favourite Zombie Book or Game?
I have never played or read any! I should, but just films so far.

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