Did you write a song specifically for "Dawn of the Dead?"
No, it’s actually a lounge version of “Down With The Sickness.” And the film closes, I think, with the original version of the song.
What do you think of the lounge version?
It’s awesome. It’s a really campy, tongue-in-cheek moment in the movie and it seems to be very, very appropriate. At first I didn’t know how I was going to feel about it but after seeing it in context of the film, it fits.
Were you a fan of the original “Dawn of the Dead?”
Yeah, the George A. Romero version.
Were you apprehensive when you heard they were doing a remake?
No, I thought with the current technology and current methods of filmmaking, I thought they would probably do it justice. I really think they have.
Have you done other songs for other soundtracks?
I have - many.
Why allow one of your songs to be used in a movie?
It’s always nice to have a song associated with something visual, so whether it’s this film or a music video or anything else, it’s always important to have that visual connection going on so that the minute you hear something, you remember what it is you saw.
Have you ever been disappointed with the way one of your songs was used in a film?
Yeah (laughing). You kind of throw caution to the wind a little because you give the director and the producers a little bit of license to do what they will with it. Sometimes it’s not exactly in the spirit that you meant it to be. But, that’s kind of what you get. You take a chance.
Have you ever composed a song directly for a film?
No, not yet. We were in the process of doing it once or twice and then the project ended up going elsewhere. I’m still looking forward to the opportunity of writing an original piece for a film. I would love to do it at some point.
Maybe for the horror genre?
Not necessarily. I’m not genre-specific when it comes to that. There’s way too much of a stereotype with metal being cast in horror films to begin with. It’s okay – I don’t mind the stereotype, but I don’t necessarily want to be bound by it either.
In keeping with the spirit of “Dawn of the Dead,” what scares you?
Clowns. Clowns scare me.
Have you had any bad clown experiences?
Yeah, my 8 year-old birthday party. My parents got a clown and he had one of these little mini-guillotine things that you put your finger into and it’s supposed to chop your finger. And I didn’t want him to do it – it was like the magic trick – and he kept insisting that he wanted to do it over and over again. When I wasn’t looking, he grabbed my finger, put it in the thing and chopped it down. It scared the sh*t out of me. I screamed and I punched him in the nose. I knocked his little rubber nose off. His nose was bleeding. He wanted to get paid and leave. It kind of ended the party on a bad note. I don’t like clowns very much. What the hell are they smiling about?
SCOTT REINIGER (From the Original "Dawn of the Dead"):
When you found out they were remaking this film, how quickly did you say you wanted to be a part of it?
I thought it would be fun, literally. Then when I found out who was directing it and Eric Newman was producing it, we talked on the phone, and they seemed like they were people with a great sense of humor – and that proved to be true when we were actually shooting it.
A sense of humor is important to you?
Oh yeah, huge. They were real sweet people, obviously having a great time making the movie. That was very apparent on the set.
What’s your role in this 2004 version?
I do a short cameo. I play a National Guard General who is lying to the media, basically, that it’s really not as bad as it appears to be. It appears actually on these televisions screens in the appliance store.
What do you think it is about zombies that holds such a fascination to people?
You know, that’s a great question. I’m not sure I can answer. It’s really remarkable to me that “Dawn of the Dead” keeps going on and on and on and on and on. That’s the last thing we thought about when we made it. To be very honest, I’m not sure I fully understand it. I know I appreciate it, but I’m not sure I fully understand it.
What's next for you?
I’m a director, so I’m directing a new play in town. I also direct television occasionally and I work with a lot of writers doing development. I’ve been doing that for years.
How much fun was it to get back in front of the camera?
Oh, it’s great fun. We had a great time.
Did you get bit by the acting bug again?
Not really. I mean, I would like to do it, I’ve been asked by a couple of casting people to audition from time to time, but I don’t pursue it because I really enjoy directing. It uses more of you.
ADDITIONAL "DAWN OF THE DEAD" RESOURCES:
Sarah Polley and Ving Rhames Interviews
Interview with Director Zack Snyder
Jake Weber and Kevin Zegers Interviews
"Dawn of the Dead" Photo Gallery
"Dawn of the Dead" Trailer, Credits and Movie News
