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Home , 7th Heaven (season 8), Aaron (The Walking Dead), Alicia Clark, Daniel Salazar, Dave Erickson, Fear the Walking Dead

NO SAFE HARBOUR

™

SEASON TWO ® ® PRESS™ KIT 01 CONTENTS

03 SYNOPSIS 04 CAST & CHARACTERS 23 PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES 28 INTERVIEW: EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & SHOWRUNNER 31 PRODUCTION CREDITS

® ™ SYNOPSIS Last season, explored blended family who watched a burning, dead city as they traversed a devastated . In season two, the group aboard the ‘Abigail’ is unaware of the true breadth and depth of the apocalypse that surrounds ; they assume there is a chance that some city, state, or nation might be unaffected - some place that the Infection has not reached. But as Operation Cobalt goes into full effect, the military bombs the Southland to cleanse it of the Infected, driving the Dead toward the sea. As Madison, Travis, Daniel, and their grieving families head for ports unknown, they will discover that the water may be no safer than land.

® ™ 03 CAST & CHARACTERS

® ™ 04

In many ways, the Madison of season two is the same woman we met in the - a leader, a moral compass - but in a whole new devastated, apocalyptic world. As the season plays out, Madison will be faced with a world that often has no room for empathy or compassion. Forced to navigate a deceptive and manipulative chart of personalities, Madison’s success in this new world is predicated on understanding that, at the end of the world, lending a helping hand can often endanger those you love. She may maintain her maternal ferocity, but the apocalypse will force her to make decisions and sacrifices that could break even the strongest people.

® ™ 05 Madison

Kim Dickens has proven herself to be a versatile actress portraying a vast array of complex and powerful characters throughout her career in television and film. Dickens was born in Huntsville, Alabama and attended in Nashville, Tennessee, where she majored in communication. Soon graduation, she moved to New York City to continue her studies at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. She later graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Art’s two-year performing arts conservatory in New York City.

In 2001, Dickens starred opposite Gabriel Mann in ’s The Things Behind the Sun. Dickens’s role garnered her recognition with a 2002 Independent Spirit Award nomination. Dickens played a local rock singer in Florida whose band became increasingly popular, largely because of a controversial song.

From 2004 to 2006, Dickens was seen in HBO’s Golden Globe Award Winning drama series Deadwood. Starring Timothy Olyphant, the show was set in the late 1800s and revolved around the characters of Deadwood, South Dakota, which was fraught with corruption and crime. Dickens played the depressed and self-loathing Joanie Stubbs who, aside from being a madam, was Cy Tolliver’s (Powers Boothe) former lover.

In 2005, Dickens co-starred in the Golden Globe Award Nominated satirical comedy Thank You for Not Smoking. Dickens played Nick Naylor’s ( Eckhart) disgruntled ex-wife, who lobbies for the Academy of Tobacco Studios.

From 2006 to 2009, Dickens had a guest arc in ABC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series Lost. Dickens played a love interest to James “Sawyer” Ford (Josh Holloway).

® ™ 06 From 2008 to 2009, Dickens co-starred became the No. 1 rated cable series Dickens recently completed production in NBC’s smash hit Friday Night Lights, premiere on record with 10.1 million on ’s Miss Peregrine’s which depicted the trials and tribulations viewers. The series also smashed records for Peculiar Children. The 20th of a small-town football team, their internationally, premiering across more Century Fox film is an adaptation of the friends, family and coaching staff. Dickens than 125 territories for AMC Global, the classic novel and stars Eva Green, Asa played hair stylist Shelby Saracen, the largest ever day-and-date release for a Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney mother of Matt Saracen’s (Zach Gilford). series. Fear the Walking Dead didn’t and Samuel L. Jackson. Based on the disappoint and set global ratings records Ransom Riggs novel, the film follows a In 2009, she appeared in John Lee for AMC. By the season finale, Fear the teenager who finds himself transported Hancock’s Oscar® nominated The Blind Walking Dead averaged 11.2 million to an island where he must help protect Side. Dickens portrayed an insightful viewers, clocking in as the highest-rated a group of orphans with special powers. high school teacher who fights to allow first season in cable history. The film is set for release in December Michael (Quinton Aaron) into the school. of 2016. Vanity Fair writer Richard Lawson From 2010 to 2013, Dickens co-starred explained he was “intrigued by the terrible Dickens resides in Los Angeles. in HBO’s award winning drama Tremé. unfolding of doomsday, and further drawn Created by David , the series in by the show’s stellar cast.” He went on focused on life after Hurricane Katrina to describe Dickens as “one of the most as the residents of New Orleans tried reliably appealing actors working today.” to rebuild their lives, their homes and their unique culture in the aftermath of one of the worst natural disasters in the USA. Dickens portrayed a struggling chef, Janette Desautel, who tries to keep her restaurant open while waiting to pay for her losses. Dickens along with the cast of Tremé was nominated for a 2014 Primetime Emmy® Award in the “Outstanding Miniseries” category.

In 2014, Dickens co-starred in ’s critically-acclaimed psychological thriller , opposite Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike. Based on the bestselling novel by Gillian Flynn, the story follows a man’s quest to find his missing wife. Dickens played the tough, yet sometimes sympathetic Detective Rhonda Boney. The thriller was released by 20th Century Fox.

In 2015, Dickens became an Ambassador for the National Women’s History Museum. The National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), founded in 1996, is a nonpartisan, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and celebrating the diverse historic contributions of women and integrating this rich heritage fully into our nation’s history.

Dickens currently stars in AMC’s smash hit Fear the Walking Dead, the companion series to The Walking Dead. This critically- acclaimed series, set in Los Angeles,

® ™ 07

The weight of killing his ex-wife weighs on Travis as he tries to care for his son, who just lost his mother. Daniel urges Travis to what he did as a that not everyone is afforded in the apocalypse - but Travis is haunted, not just by the woman he killed but also the by the danger of becoming divorced from his humanity. He promised Liza that he would protect their son at all costs - but will the promise to protect one compromise his ability to defend many?

® ™ 08 CLIFF CURTIS TRAVIS

A successful film and television actor with a varied body of work, Cliff Curtis encompasses a wide range of compelling performances spanning more than two decades.

Cliff Curtis was born in Rotorua, New Zealand and is of Maori descent. He attended the New Zealand Drama School, and then the Teatro Dmitri Scoula in Switzerland. After returning to New Zealand from Europe, his first-ever role was in the Academy Award-winning film, The Piano. Subsequent roles in New Zealand include: the camp melodrama Desperate Remedies; the grueling urban drama Once Were Warriors; and the lighthearted comedy Jubilee.

In Hollywood, Curtis has played an array of diverse roles and ethnicities ranging from a Colombian in Blow opposite Johnny Depp, an Arab in Three Kings opposite George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, and a Latino in Training Day opposite Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. Other film credits include: The Insider alongside Al Pacino and Russell Crowe; Runaway Jury alongside John Cusack; Martin Scorsese’s Bringing Out the Dead; and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender. Curtis also played the role of Paikea’s father Porourangi in Whale Rider.

® ™ 09 In 2007, Curtis turned his hand to producing and among his credits are Taika Waititi’s debut feature, the geek comedy Eagle vs. Shark starring Jermaine Clement, and later another Waititi feature, Boy, which became the highest grossing local film in New Zealand history.

On television, Curtis appeared in Fox’s Gang Related as Javier Acosta and as FBI Agent Dax Miller on ABC’s Missing.

Curtis’s most recent releases include the Sony feature Risen, the epic Biblical story of the Resurrection, opposite Joseph Fiennes, and the upcoming The Dark Horse, an inspirational true story which Curtis also executive produced. In The Dark Horse, directed by James Napier Robertson, Curtis plays Maori chess prodigy Genesis Pontini, who coached underprivileged, at-risk youth while suffering from bipolar disorder. The Dark Horse won the Audience Best Picture Award at the San Francisco Film Festival and the Seattle Film Festival, as well as Best Actor for Curtis at the Seattle Film Festival.

® ™ 10

The new world surrounds and devours, yet it provides a strange comfort and fascination for Nick, who has found a sort of confidence and balance when we meet up with him in season two. Everyone is hell bent on survival, but Nick seems to embrace the chaos - a perfect child of the apocalypse. His moment of clarity in the finale of season one will be put to work in season two.

® ™ 11 Nick

Frank Dillane trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 2013.

As a child he played Christopher Henderson in Welcome to Sarajevo, directed by Michael Winterbottom (Channel 4//Dragon Pictures).

When he was sixteen he played Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and later Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Warner Bros).

During his first year at RADA, he filmed the role of James Papadopoulos in Papadopoulos & Sons (Double M Films).

Immediately upon graduating, he played Eugene Marchbanks in Candida (Theatre Royal Bath). He then filmed the role of Coffin in , directed by . (Articulated Productions Ltd). After this, he went on to film the role of Keyes in Viena and the Fantomes directed by Gerardo Naranjo and which will be released in 2016 (Lola Pictures).

For television, Dillane played Shugs in season one of Sense 8, directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski and was then cast in AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, playing the part of Nick. He then shot season one in 2015 and is currently shooting season 2. During the hiatus between seasons, he recently filmed the lead role of Alex in Astral, directed by Chris Mul.

Aside from acting, Dillane is part of the band Tinker Wright.

® ™ 12

Like her brother and her mother, Alicia is well connected to the fatalism inherent in their new lives. Ever present are memories of her long lost father, the suicide of a cherished neighbour, and the loss of her boyfriend, Matt. The only way to survive in a mad world is to embrace it - but what happens if you clutch at normality, and hold to the past so hard it breaks you?

® ™ 13 ALYCIA DEBNAM-CAREY Alicia

An Australian native who made her feature film debut in Rachel Ward’s Martha’s New Coat, Alycia Debnam-Carey recently starred alongside Rufus Sewell in the thriller Where the Devil Hides and in the action thriller Into the Storm with Richard Armitage. She has also appeared in such short films as Jigsaw Girl, At the Tattooist and The Branch. Debnam-Carey will star in the upcoming Warner Bros. German feature film Unfriend.

On the small screen, Debnam-Carey is currently starring in the AMC series Fear the Walking Dead, the official companion series to The Walking Dead. She portrayed in the second season of the CW’s THE 100 and will reprise her role in season three, which will air on the CW in January 2016. Among her TV credits are roles in the popular series McLeod’s Daughters and Dance Academy, and she appeared in the telefilm Dream Life. She also played the female lead in the AMC telefilm Galyntine.

Alycia was a runner up in the 2012 Heath Ledger Scholarship, touting Australia’s new young talent, and was recently named One of the Actors to Watch in the Australians in Film trade magazine. Debnam-Carey currently resides in Los Angeles.

® ™ 14 CHRISTOPHER MANAWA

The optimistic and idealist son in season one is on a different path this season. Chris was resentful of, and angry towards, his father, but he shared his father’s sense of hope and promise. The weight of his father killing his infected mother is a crushing reality. Rage and sorrow burn beneath his skin. How far will Chris go?

® ™ 15 LORENZO JAMES HENRIE Christopher

Lorenzo James Henrie has an impressive body of work alongside some of Hollywood’s most prestigious producers, directors and actors. His most recent role is on the AMC television series, Fear the Walking Dead, prequel to the megahit The Walking Dead. Lorenzo plays the series regular Chris, a 16-year old trying to balance his resentful feelings toward his father for divorcing his mother, while needing his guidance to survive the chaos of the apocalypse. Prior to that, Lorenzo was seen on the big screen in , Paul Blart: Mall Cops 2, starring Kevin James.

Lorenzo Henrie recently shot the lead role in the feature film Warrior Road about a young man’s journey for strength and courage in the face of a painful past. Other roles in feature films include the lead role in Riding ’79, where he plays an American teen who is sent off to live with his grandfather and grandmother in Puerto Rico after the death of his father.

Henrie started acting at the age of eight and had his first feature film debut in Arizona Summer. Playing the lead role of in this fun-filled, kids’ summer camp movie, Henrie won over the heart of the film as Jerry comes to terms with a father who has no time for him and a mother who abandoned the family.

Henrie went on to work on various roles in In 2009, Henrie was cast in JJ Abram’s little if any dialogue to convey a welter television including a recurring role on the Star Trek feature film as a Vulcan bully. of emotions he is going through when WB’s , as Jeffrey, the adopted At age 16, he landed the leading role of the full realization of his brother’s many son to Chandler (Jeremy London) and Ted Wheeler, in the film Almost Kings, betrayals becomes increasingly to girlfriend Kendall (Leighton Meester). alongside Portia Doubleday and Alex his character. Ramm also conveys much He would soon work alongside Meester Frost, which had its worldwide feature with looks or gestures. These two might again in a guest star role on CSI: MIAMI. debut at the 2010 LA Film Festival. be the real discoveries in the film.”

Other guest star roles include: NCIS, Cold ’s Kirk Honeycutt Case, Malcolm in the Middle, Wanted, wrote the following about Henrie and his LAX with Heather Locklear; and Ghost co-star’s performance in Almost Kings: Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt, “Henrie and Ramm stand out as the two where Henrie played the role of Rat, freshmen who must experience a sharp the leader of a pact of boys from the learning curve their first year, and that’s 1950’s, whose lost spirits perished in an not in the classroom. Henrie often needs orphanage fire.

® ™ 16

Daniel was forced into this situation because of his beloved wife Griselda’s generosity. Were it not for her kindness, he never would have let Travis and family into his shop; their story would have run a very different course. In Daniel’s mind, the sins of his past have been visited on his wife and his daughter. Daniel knows his relationship with Ofelia may never be as it was before, but that won’t stop him from doing everything he can to protect her. The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t.

® ™ 17 RUBEN BLADES Daniel

Ruben Blades is an unbelievably feature film Safe House, opposite Denzel distinguished artist whose work spans Washington and Ryan Reynolds. He was many mediums and arenas. He can be nominated for two Emmys for his work seen starring in Hands of Stone opposite in the television movies, The Josephine Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramirez and John Baker Story (1991) and Crazy from the Turturro. He recently appeared in Ridley Heart (1992). Scott’s The Counselor opposite Michael Fassbender. In addition to his film work, Blades is one of the most successful vocalists in the In film, Blades has played memorable history of Panamanian music. He has won roles at the helm of such acclaimed 12 GRAMMY® Awards, including one directors and talent as Robert Redford in the World Music category. He holds in The Milagro Beanfield War, Robert degrees in law and political science from Rodriguez in Once Upon a Time in the University of Panama and Harvard , Spike Lee in Mo’ Better Blues, Law School. He ran for President of the Alan Pakula in The Devil’s Own and Jack Republic of Panama in 1994, coming in Nicholson in The Two Jakes. He can third place with 18% of the vote. Blades also be seen in the epitomises a true Renaissance man.

® ™ 18

It is an odd thing to love the one you trust the least - even odder when it is your flesh and blood, your father. Ofelia had no idea who her parents really were; she wants to know . In season two, hardened by the death of her mother, Ofelia will grow stronger, more independent than ever before.

® ™ 19 Ofelia

Mercedes Mason portrays Ofelia Salazar on AMC’s hit series, Fear the Walking Dead.

Born into a multi-national family, Mason moved to the from at the age of 12. She was quickly discovered by Ford Modeling Agency, which launched her into an international modeling career while she was still attending high school. Following her years of modeling as a teen, Mason began acting at the age of 22, first appearing on the daytime soap opera .

Mason has appeared on over 20 network television series. She starred as the lead of the FOX’s Bones spin-off The Finder opposite Oscar®-nominated Michael Clarke Duncan and . Mason starred alongside Emmy® Award winner Terry O’Quinn and Emmy nominee Vanessa Williams on ABC’s mystery series 666 Park Ave. Mason has appeared on critically-acclaimed series such as HBO’s Entourage, The Closer, Castle, and in a recurring role on fan favorite series, Chuck. Additionally, Mason starred in a major arc in the final season of Showtime’s Californication. She continues to recur on CBS’s NCIS: LA as DEA Agent Talia Del Campo.

Additionally, Mason starred in the horror film Quarantine 2 and in the romantic comedy Ana Maria in Novela Land.

Mason resides in Los Angeles with her husband, .

® ™ 20 VICTOR STRAND

Strand starts at the helm - literally and figuratively in season two. Call him Victor because he never loses. As he did with Nick, Victor Strand is evaluating which of his newfound “crew” will serve him best in the New World. Strand is an expert in defining new currency. It’s his boat - but he needs labour and support. Will he share his end game with the rest of the group?

® ™ 21 Domingo’s theatre career took off when helmed August Wilson’s Seven Guitars he starred in the critically acclaimed for the Actors Theater of Louisville in the Strand rock musical Passing Strange. The fall of 2015. He also directed the critically- off-Broadway ensemble cast received acclaimed Off-Broadway productions of Colman Domingo is an award-winning an OBIE Award in 2008, and Domingo Exit Cuckoo and Single Black Female. actor, playwright, and director who is a reprised his roles in the film version of triple threat in 2016 with anticipated TV, Passing Strange, directed by Spike Additional film credits include Ava film and theatre projects. Lee, in 2009. He made his British and DuVernay’s Selma and Steven Spielberg’s Australian debuts with his self-penned Lincoln, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Joe Domingo will reprise his role as Victor solo play, A Boy and His Soul. This Roth’s Freedomland and ’s Strand on season two of AMC’s hit show production originated at New York City’s True Crime, Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Ana Fear the Walking Dead. Vineyard Theater and won him GLAAD and Red Hook Summer, and the first-ever and Lucille Lortel awards in 2010. screen adaptation of a Ralph Ellison story, Next up, Domingo joined an all-star cast Domingo will once again revive, and King of the Bingo Game, among others. in Nate Parker’s The Birth of a Nation, direct, A Boy and His Soul in August of His TV credits include: The Knick, Lucifer, opposite Armie Hammer, Gabrielle Union 2016 for the Guthrie Theatre. Law & Order, The Big Gay Sketch Show and Nate Parker. The film is a biopic of and Nash Bridges. slave-turned-revolutionary Nat Turner and In 2010, Domingo starred as Billy Flynn in premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Chicago, the longest revival on Broadway, Domingo is on the Board of the Directors Festival. and in the award-winning The Scottsboro of the Vineyard Theater in New York Boys, a role which he originated on and City. He is also on faculty at the National As an Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, and off Broadway. Domingo was nominated Theater Institute (Eugene O’Neill Theater Drama League Award-nominated actor for a Tony Award, Olivier Award, and a Center) and guest-lectured and mentored and OBIE and Lucille Lortel Award- Fred Astaire Award for his role in The in many colleges and universities winner, Domingo has solidified himself Scottsboro Boys. Additional theater around the country. Domingo directed as a Broadway veteran. Domingo’s credits include the Off-Broadway revival of for Berkeley Rep as well as the Lincoln newest play Dot premiered at the Blood Knot and Wild With Happy. Center Director’s Lab. Humana Festival in Louisville last year and premiered Off-Broadway at the Vineyard As a director, Domingo recently staged Theater in 2016, directed by Tony Award the Off-Broadway Alliance Award-winning winner Susan Stroman. production of A Band of Angels and

® ™ 22 PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

® ™ 23 DAVE ERICKSON In 2010, Robert saw an opportunity Showrunner/Executive Producer/ Executive Producer/Co-Creator to create a transmedia entertainment Co-Creator/Writer (Ep. 201) company that would nurture creators, Since entering the comics’ scene with and give them the resources to create Dave Erickson has written and produced his self-published cult-hit Battle Pope content while retaining creative control of long-form and series television since in 2000, the Kentucky native has risen their properties. Partnering with longtime leaving University of Southern ’s to fame as one of the most successful collaborator, and fellow executive School of Cinematic Arts in 1998. names in comics and entertainment. producer of The Walking Dead franchise Among his credits, Erickson has served He is the creator of many popular and Outcast, David Alpert, Skybound as executive producer on Marco Polo comic books, including the Eisner Entertainment was born. for and The Weinstein Company, Award- winning The Walking Dead, co-executive producer on FX’s hit series long-running , all-ages Super That same year, Kirkman continued to , and creator and Dinosaur, and the atmospheric exorcism expand his presence in the entertainment producer of the series Canterbury’s Law comic, Outcast, which was released industry, becoming a creator, executive for FOX. in June 2014 and recently received a producer and writer on The Walking Dead series pickup for CINEMAX with Fox television show. The show has become International. Kirkman will serve as the highest-rated basic cable drama of creator, writer and executive producer all time and to date is #1 on television of the series that is slated to release among the coveted 18-49 demographic. in Summer 2016. His success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at since the company’s inception twenty-four years ago.

® ™ 24 Executive Producer

In 1984, after working in various capacities for legendary Hurd has held numerous leadership positions at the Academy producer Roger Corman, Hurd produced and co-wrote her of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences where she has served first feature film, The . The film was a box office and on the Academy Board of Governors and chaired the Nicholl critical success, and has since become a genre classic. Screenwriting Fellowship, the Investment Committee, as well as the Executive Committee of the Producers Branch. Hurd This success was quickly followed by Aliens, which received currently serves on the Academy’s Investment and Festival seven nominations and two Academy Awards, and the Grants Committees and is an Officer of the Producers Guild of Academy Award-winning films , Terminator America. 2: Judgment Day and The Ghost and the Darkness. Hurd’s additional feature credits include the Academy In 2015, Hurd was awarded the prestigious David O. Selznick Award®¬nominated Armageddon, The Incredible Hulk, Award for Achievement in Motion Pictures by the Producers Tremors, Dante’s Peak, Æon Flux, The Punisher, Dick and Guild of America, joining past honourees Clint Eastwood, The Waterdance, which won the Independent Spirit Award Kathleen Kennedy, and Steven Spielberg. She is also the current for Best First Feature, and both the Audience and Screenplay recipient of the 2015 Jaeger-LeCoultre ‘Glory to the Filmmaker’ Awards at the . Award from the 21st Annual Los Angeles Film Festival. The National Women’s History Museum honoured Hurd at their Hurd is an executive producer of The Walking Dead, which annual 2015 ‘Women Making History’ event, along with Oscar currently reigns as the most-watched scripted drama, beating winner Viola Davis. She was inducted into the International all broadcast and cable series among adults 18-49. With 19.1 Women’s Forum Hall of Fame in 2014, which includes such million viewers tuning into the season six mid-season premiere, honourees as Rosa Parks, Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Audrey The Walking Dead will begin filming its seventh season this Hepburn. In 2013, she accepted the Cartier Award at the Spring. She is a consulting producer on AMC’s top-rated talk Deauville American Film Festival, along with and show, , which recently logged 7.5 million viewers Nicolas Cage, and was the 2013 recipient of the DiGamma and is the second highest rated cable show on Sunday nights, Kappa Award for Distinguished Service in Broadcasting behind only The Walking Dead. from Grady College at the University of Georgia, home of the Peabody Awards. In 2012, Gale received her star on the Hurd’s company, , has an overall deal Hollywood Walk of Fame. with Universal Cable Productions to develop new television and digital programs. Her newest series, Hunters, will premiere this April 11th on . She is also an Executive Producer of USA Network’s recently announced drama series, Falling Water.

® ™ 25 DAVID ALPERT Executive Producer

David Alpert is a prolific television and film producer. A few of his credits include: The Walking Dead, the Robert Kirkman–created Outcast; BBC America’s Dirk Gently; and features including: Air, starring and Djimon Hounsou, American Ultra, starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, and the George Lopez film Spare Parts.

David Alpert is also president of , the multiplatform entertainment company founded alongside long-time collaborator and creator of The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman. As president, David oversees operations and development of cross-platform properties at Skybound, including Samsung Milk VR’s Gone, the first ever, narrative virtual reality series, and YouTube Red’s Scare PewDiePie.

David is an honours graduate of Harvard University and New York University Law School.

® ™ 26 Executive Producer/Special Effects

Born in Pittsburgh, it was a hobby turned career that lured Greg Nicotero’s most recent work can be seen in Warner Brother’s Nicotero into the fascinating world of special effects. After seeing feature Suicide Squad, directed by David Ayers, and providing Jaws and later Dawn Of The Dead, he had no doubt about what effects for AMC’S Preacher, and of course, The he hoped would become a job in the effects field. Nicotero was Walking Dead. To date, Nicotero has directed 15 episodes of offered an apprentice job on Day of the Dead where he worked The Walking Dead, while executive producing and supervising with directing legend George A. Romero. He diverted from his its Emmy® Award-winning special make-up effects on location in then pre-med career to follow his path to Hollywood. .

KNB EFX GROUP was founded by Nicotero a few short years Nicotero shares these experiences with his wife of 15 years, after he moved to LA in 1985. Within two years, he was moving Shari, an assistant director, and their two children, Deven and from location to location, designing and supervising make-up Alyssa. effects films alongside the very filmmakers that inspired him, including Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter and Wes Craven. Nicotero pushed KNB into broadening their abilities by creating hyper-realistic cadavers, replica heads and articulated animals. As the company continued to grow, so did Nicotero’s love for movies and desire to collaborate with the best artists in the field, including , Sam Raimi, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. He provided second unit direction on several features, including Land of the Dead, The Faculty and The Mist, where he was able to refine his filmmaking skills even further.

® ™ 27 INTERVIEW WITH DAVE ERICKSON EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & SHOWRUNNER

How is Fear the Walking Dead For season one, we talked quite a lot they saw how things were falling apart in distinct from The Walking Dead and about the idea that we were covering such a profound way is it easy to become hooked on Fear the timeframe in which was if you’ve never seen The Walking in his coma at the very outset of The That’s what’s great about heading into Dead? Walking Dead. Viewers were getting a season two: the bubble has burst! window on what he missed. But if you They’ve had to flee from what they It’s definitely easy, and you don’t have to actually look at the breakdown of season initially thought was the safety of the know anything about The Walking Dead one of Fear, it wasn’t a case of ending military and they find themselves on to become hooked on Fear. Speaking on a final frame in the finale from which the coast with the desolation and the with lots of people - with the actors, you could have cut to Georgia just as disaster playing out around them. So, the producers and some viewers - they Rick was about to wake up. If you look what our blended family now has to do all agree that the way we approached at the timing, we’re actually still shy of is work out exactly how bad things are. the story means you don’t need any that point by a couple of weeks. So, How far has this spread? Is it something prior knowledge of the comics or the what’s interesting in how we structured that’s taking over the entire country? The other series. But we’ve structured it in the first season and as we head into entire world? That puts them in a really such a way that if you are a fan of the the second season, our family has been interesting position where they’ve learned original graphic novels and you watch relatively insulated. We’ve gone from their a lot about each other and their natures The Walking Dead, you’ll immediately realisation that things are falling apart and throughout season one and what they’re recognise the mythology and you’ll see that the world is changing in the first few prepared to do as things go from bad to how the stories are layered. But you’ll episodes to the arrival of the National worse – but how far will they go to put also appreciate the different approach Guard and essentially being stuck in an that into practice? that Fear takes; the different point of internment camp. They were trusting that view it has. things were being repaired in the world outside. So, it wasn’t until the finale that

® ™ 28 Each family in season one Strand said at the end of the season her life protecting her immigrant parents, experienced some tremendous loss. one: “The only way to survive a mad feeling that they were a bit backwards; Will this unite them in season two world is to embrace the madness.” that they were of ‘the old world’ and that and does it help them to figure So how does this actually play out in they struggled to assimilate into their lives out how to survive? season two? in the US.

Well, it’s interesting because one of the I think a big theme for season two of She’s really devoted a lot of energy and things that was important to Robert Fear is that once we’ve established that time trying to take care of them and now Kirkman when we started to develop the world is really gone, once we’ve she’s come to realise that they were far the drama was the theme of violence established that there’s no turning back, more capable than she ever thought. and how each of the characters would what kind of person will each of the She’s also come to realise that she really approach it. And that doesn’t just mean characters become? Will they be able to had no idea who her parents really were, the ‘deaths’ of the infected but how surrender to it? Will they be devoured and or who her father is now. She’s now would each of the characters react when consumed by the apocalypse or will they trying to understand who he is, while they had to put someone infected down? change their base nature? Can they really he’s looking to her for some kind of continue to fight against it and try to hold redemption and forgiveness. She looks By the end of season one, they’ve onto their humanity? at her dad and looks at what happened experienced a horde and most to her mom and really sees it as the sins of them (with the exception of Travis, That was something we began in season of the father having been visited upon Chris and Alycia) have had to fight one one, specifically with Travis, and I think the mother. Emotionally, there’s a huge of the infected and put one down. So it we’ll see it continue in season two. amount going on for that family in becomes a question of the effects of that One of the things that both Liza and season two. violence and about the morality of each Madison said about Travis was if he had person - how will they learn to process to put either one of them down, it would everything as we go into season two? break him. I think one of the interesting There is a revelation from Nick questions for this season is, did that act (played by Frank Dillane) in the They’ve also witnessed what is make him a broken man or will he be able season one finale that he admitted tantamount to the fall of Los Angeles. to hold it together, not just for himself but to living in his own apocalypse as The scenes in which they drive through for Chris, specifically, who’s just lost his a drug addict and that other people a desolate, abandoned, dead LA mean mother? were now starting to catch up. How that they’re leaving their home behind. important is this to his character They’ve lost their home, their friends, It’s a fragile but violent rebirth for each development in season two? their neighbours and it’s catastrophic. of the characters going into season two I think that initially they’re all quite shell- and I think you’ll see elements of that It’s a huge part of his development. At shocked by it and then it becomes more ‘madness’ in a number of characters – the end of last season, Nick essentially about the connections they develop Nick, Travis, Daniel. has a moment of clarity. He sees the and, of course, their relationships with world falling apart and, for the first time violence. he’s clean from drugs. He’s not going to Speaking of Daniel Salazar (played be able to score again. So, he realises Now, in season two, they’ve landed by Ruben Blades), there were some that he’s somebody who should have on Strand’s boat, on the ‘Abigail’, and very dark moments about his past died many times over in his previous I think what we’ll come to realise, very hinted at in season one. Will more life and now has to ask himself how and quickly as we move into the first couple of this be unveiled during season why he survived. of episodes, is that they were not the two and how will that affect his only people with this bright idea. They’re relationship with his daughter Ofelia I think he has a certain sense of awe not the only ones that have decided to (played by Mercedes Mason)? and fascination. He’s really intrigued by become refugees from Los Angeles and what’s now happening around him. He’s make a break for the water. That’s going In season one, we came to realise that really intrigued by the dead and by this to create additional conflicts. It’s going to Daniel was definitely not a humble barber. thought that he’s been given a second be twofold: what do they do when they’re The truth is, he’s committed atrocities; chance in this new world. Because confronted with the infected and what he’s committed some truly violent acts he’s more adept at living on the fringes, will they do when confronted with other in his past. His wife Griselda knew. She he feels more comfortable in this new survivors? How do they approach them didn’t necessarily know the details but world. So, it’s an opportunity for him to and where does the greater danger lie? she knew. But she was willing to support look at the apocalypse through a filter him and even offer him absolution but that we don’t see elsewhere. He’s had a now she’s gone. But his daughter Ofelia different experience of that pressure to has only just become aware of this side survive and now he has a very different of him and she’s looking upon him with vantage point. judgement. Ofelia has spent much of

® ™ 29 The infected in Fear are in much characters. Fundamentally, there needs Is there anything else that you’d less of a decayed state than the to be something going on emotionally. like to share with fans about the in The Walking Dead. How Whenever there’s any kind of interaction upcoming season? does this affect the way in which the with the dead, we want to make sure it’s characters react to them? serving a purpose or developing a theme I think the most intriguing question is for the character involved and driving the this: We all know that we’re going to be Well, we’re a little bit further along in narrative forward. The violence should do on a boat because we saw that at the season two so they’ll have decayed a bit as much injury to the characters who are end of season one but... where are the more and atrophied a little. And there are committing it as it does to the infected characters going to go? other factors and elements. We’re in salt that they’re putting down. water in the ocean and under a baking I think we’ll quickly realise that the ocean hot sun. So you’ll see a progression is no safer than land and that there’s a in their appearance but fundamentally What was it like to shoot in Mexico? very different level of adversity and threat they’ve recently become the infected on the water. It forces the characters and it’s very difficult to put one of them Well, shooting in Baja, we have a crew to set their sights on a destination. But down. That takes its toll emotionally. that is partly American alongside a lot where will that be? North to Vancouver We’re actually humanising the dead, and of technicians and artists who came out or south to Cabo? This is a boat that we want to continue to show the weight from Mexico City and a lot of folks who has a really incredible range and a full and pressure that puts on our characters are working locally in Baja. It was a giant tank of gas so, feasibly, they could head when they have dispatch these ‘people’. endeavour and, as far as I can recall, out across the Pacific for 3,000 miles or there really hasn’t been anything like this more and make it to Hawaii. We could Some of our characters still want to done for television before. It was new even end up doing zombies in paradise! recognise the infected as having some ground for all of us, for the writers, for [Laughs]. degree of humanity left and perhaps the directors, for all the producers and some intelligence or understanding. We for the network. That’s a really rewarding That’s the intriguing question for the first had our first zombie horde at the end of feeling and I think we’re going to give the few episodes of the new season: what last season and we’ll definitely have lots audience an experience that they haven’t harbour can the characters find and when more infected in this season. But we still had before. they get there, will it be safe or not? want to hold onto the idea that Robert established - we never want the dead to Fear is a really diverse show and that’s become just ‘cannon fodder’. I think that really important to us. When we were adds a real perspective to the storytelling shooting in Los Angeles, it was in that we can explore. So, even if they look LA, exploring neighbourhoods that more gross, we want to hold onto their don’t appear on TV or in films too often. human qualities. Working in Mexico has continued that theme. It’s been great to be able to work with Mexican directors, writers and Why is it important that the infected craftspeople and Bernardo Trujillo, our don’t become just “cannon fodder”? production designer, is based in Mexico City and he has been remarkable with Something that’s really interesting about his energy and his unique, invaluable the whole genre is that you can project perspective. any human anxiety, any phobia or any fear onto the undead. The thing about I think that diversity is deeply embedded the zombie genre is that you’re then within the entire show. We have an allowed to kill your fears. I do think there’s incredibly diverse cast and crew and I a certain catharsis to it: it allows you to think it gives us a very interesting edge take all the things you hate and all the and a different perspective. It makes for a things that keep you awake at night and really rich show. then put them down in a very permanent fashion.

I also think we want to avoid a situation where we just have wall upon wall of the infected and they’re being mowed down and there’s no real impact on the

® ™ 30 PRODUCTION CREDITS

DAVE ERICKSON MICHAEL MCDONOUGH TERE CHÁVEZ Showrunner / Executive Producer / Director of Photography 201, Key Hair Stylist Co-Creator / Writer 201 202, 204, 206 TRACEY ANDERSON ROBERT KIRKMAN PATRICK CADY Key Makeup Artist Executive Producer / Co-Creator Director of Photography 203, 205, 207 ISAAC PINEDA GONZÁLEZ GALE ANNE HURD KATE ERICKSON Location Manager Executive Producer Story Editor / Writer 204 MANUEL CAMPILLO DAVID ALPERT CARLA CHING Location Manager Executive Producer Staff Writer / Writer 205 MARK NORBY GREG NICOTERO BRIAN BUCKNER Stunt Coordinator Executive Producer / Special Effects Consulting Producer / Writer 206 Makeup Supervisor SANTIAGO NÚÑEZ ROJO VICTOR DUBOIS Production Sound Mixer ADAM DAVIDSON Editor 201, 204, 207, 210, 213 Co-Executive Producer / Director 201, BOYD SHERMIS 202 CHRIS MCCALEB VFX Supervisor Editor 202, 205, 208, 211, 214 ANDREW BERNSTEIN Co-Executive Producer / Director 207 TAD DENNIS Editor 203, 206, 209, 212, 215 DAVID WIENER Co-Executive Producer / Writer 207 BERNARDO TRUJILLO Production Designer KATE BARNOW Co-Executive Producer / Writer 202 MARY JANE FORT Costume Designer ALAN PAGE Producer / Writer 203 JAY B. AROESTY MIZRAHI Supervising Art Director FRANK HILDEBRAND Producer / UPM JORGE BARBA Set Decorator PABLO CRUZ Producer (Mexico) COLIN THURSTON Property Master ARTURO SAMPSON Producer (Mexico) JIMMY O’CONNELL Marine Coordinator BRETT C. LEONARD Creative Consultant / Writer 202

STEFAN SCHWARTZ Director 203

MICHAEL UPPENDAHL Director 204

CRAIG ZISK Director 205

KATE DENNIS Director 206

® ™ 31 Photographs in this Press Kit were produced by Richard Foreman Jr / AMC Frank Ockenfels 3 / AMC Justin Lubin / AMC

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