Living Dead Weekend With Joe Shelby

The floorboards of horror history creak a little louder when Joe Shelby pulls up a chair. We’re recording from Living Dead Weekend 2024, surrounded by friends, fans, and the kind of stories that only happen when a cult classic like Dawn of the Dead becomes a lifelong passport. Joe opens up about working within George Romero’s orbit and why that spirit of resourceful, human filmmaking still guides the way we write, cast, and shoot today.We trade neighborhood hellos for set secrets, then dig into the art of homage without the handcuffs. You’ll hear how a battered writing desk once owned by Romero turned into a ritual for screenplays, contest wins, and a published zombie rom-com that winks at horror canon while building its own world. Joe walks us through Green Man, a scrappy indie that flips an urban legend from threat to guardian, repurposes road closures into story stakes, and fills the frame with living dead alumni playing against type. It’s a masterclass in practical effects, quick pivots, and the magic that happens when your poster star is you, sprinting to the tunnel for the perfect shot.Then we turn the screws on fear itself. Inspired by Creepshow’s final segment, we dive into why cockroaches haunt the collective gut more than spiders ever could, and how sound, scale, and suggestion make small creatures feel apocalyptic. Along the way, we swap con-floor lore, celebrate generous fans who bring rare discs and red coats, and underline a simple rule: horror thrives when the community does. If you love Romero, indie filmmaking, practical effects, or the strange warmth of a genre family that remembers your name, this conversation hits home.If this sparked an idea—or a shiver—follow the show, share it with a horror friend, and leave a quick review. Your notes help us keep the lights low and the stories sharp.Send us Fin-mail!Support the show