Instead of the usual hack-bite gross, "Z*Con" is about four teens that are trapped inside a comic convention when the zombie outbreak begins, and how they use social media to survive. Dougherty is marrying "The Goonies" and zombie fan fave, "Shaun of the Dead,"to create a family friendly take on the zompoc.
What gives "Z*Con" yet another edge, is the fact that Big Damn Films will be donating 100% of the net proceeds to charity. The charities that will benefit from this project include the American Red Cross, Kids Need to Read and Dougherty's own nonprofit, Big Damn Films, to cover the costs of promotion and production. With this gesture, Dougherty hopes to change how indie films are marketed and distributed, and to also create a greater impact within the community.
The Indiegogo campaign for Z*Con is running now through November 9, with full information here. You can catch Dougherty and FX makeup artist, Vince Collura will be at the NYCC (October 11-13) so be sure to chat them up on this new project!
-Nowal Massari