Geneva filmmaker Jose Gomez is hoping to make it big.
Shot in Kane County, his latest film, “Bled White,” premiered at the Clearwater Theatre in West Dundee Oct. 30.
Producer Kelli Tidmore approached Gomez with an idea for a zombie movie set in the winter. It was budgeted at less than $30,000.
“It was one of those opportunities knocking at my door,” Gomez said.
Gomez began shooting the film during weekends in January last year to eventually produce the 85-minute feature. The cast and crew closed downtown Hampshire for three days of filming. Other scenes were shot in St. Charles and Maple Park.
The film features six people caught in an Apocalyptic zombie-laden frozen wasteland with a “Pulp Fiction” vibe.
Gomez said the movie explores the blurring line between living people and zombies as both are reduced to killing for food.
“The question is are people better than zombies,” Gomez said.
The movie recently won three awards from the Tabloid Witch Awards film festival in Los Angles for best supporting actress, best musical score and overall honorable mention.
Last year, Gomez won the People’s Choice Award at the Geneva Film Festival for “Muchachos Fresos,” after previously receiving the honor in 2007. He also won the Audience Choice Award this year at the Muskegon Film Festival in Michigan.
Check out Gomez’s Web site at wwww.skibofilms.com and the Web site for the movie at www.bledwhitemovie.com.
Years in town
10
Family
Wife, Pamela; children, Victor, 11, Mirella, 9, Carlos, 7
Notable
As Gomez becomes more established in the independent film industry, he is building connections with other professionals, such as Jason Patfield who is known for his work on the “Welcome to Dreadville” series, as well as indie filmmaker Juan Frausto from Los Angeles.
& quotable
“I’m more centered on people stories. Explosions are cool too.”
Philosophy
“I treat my audience with respect as the intelligent crowd they are. I want to make movies that make you think.”
Favorites
FILMS “No Country for Old Men,” “There will be Blood”
DIRECTOR Stanley Kubrick
MOVIES TO SHOOT “I really enjoy human interest dramas.”
