‘Zombieland’

In the post-apocalyptic zombie road trip comedy “Zombieland,” most of the world’s population has turned into zombies, and four survivors of a viral pandemic are locked in an ongoing battle with the hungry undead.

The seemingly mismatched central characters — Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) journey toward an alleged safe haven in Los Angles, following a strict set of survival rules and zombie-killing strategies as they travel.

Written and produced by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, “Zombieland” concludes season 9 of the Script to Screen series presented by the Carsey-Wolf Center’s Pollock Theater. Following a viewing of the film, Reese and Wernick will take part in a virtual question-and-answer conversation moderated by Pollock Theater Director Matt Ryan.

Slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 16, the event will take place via Zoom. It is free and open to the public, though prior registration is required.

“When it was released in 2009, ‘Zombieland’ was applauded for the way it seamlessly blended comedy and horror genre conventions,” said Ryan. “In many ways, it subverted the traditional zombie film and set a precedent for unique interpretations moving forward. During my conversation with screenwriters/executive producers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, I hope audiences learn how to craft this type of story from the screenwriting perspective and understand the importance of simultaneously following and breaking genre rules during the writing process.”

Script to Screen features contemporary screenwriters sharing and discussing their work, is the longest-running series at the Pollock Theater, noted Patrice Petro, director of the Carsey-Wolf Center and a professor of film and media studies.

“We have innovated several other series at the Center, including CWC Classics, CWC Docs, CWC Global, CWC TV, and CWC Presents,” Petro said. “We are planning a series for fall and winter on the topic of ‘Subversives.’”

More information about “Script to Screen: Zombieland,” including a link to register for the virtual Q&A conversation, can be found at https://www.carseywolf.ucsb.edu/pollock-events/zombieland/.