Three teens find themselves in a town over run with zombies. Deciding to fight back, they go on a punch you in the throat, action packed, non stop ride through the city, woods, and schools.

BD: You directed AUTOMATON before or after you graduated from Full Sail?

SM: I Directed AT a few months after I graduated full sail.

BD: When did you come up with the idea?

SM: The idea for AT was born in my brain several years before I actually had the means to make it. It was never anything concrete, just lots of ideas and scattered thoughts. It wasn't till I met William Clevinger and Mark Thalman that my ideas finally made it to paper and eventually the screen.

BD: Was the plan for this to be a student film?

SM: Yes my initial idea was to make this while i was still in school, but not enough time and the fact that my girlfriend at the moment became pregnant caused me to put the project on hold for some time.

BD: Did you know it would end up being this good or did you think it might end up like all those other no budget indie films?

SM: I honestly don't think its that good anyway. haha. In my head this film was larger than life. Trying to create that with the time and money we had was such a challenge that I had to settle for lots of things that otherwise I would never have allowed. But that is the fun of an indie project, improvising and using everything around you to come up with something fantastic.

BD: What do you think you did that added such a high level of professionalism to the film?

SM: I stayed away from wide shot theater and playing it safe. I wanted to take risks that normal indie films stay clear of because the challenge usually becomes too intense. Intensity is exactly what I wanted for my film and its something we strived for a on a daily basis. I don't believe you make kick ass films by playing it safe and that is something i will never do.

BD: How did you cast so many extras?!

SM: Myspace is a wonderful tool. We didn't know how many would actually show up. Luckily Florida is a zombie loving state.

BD: Who did your special FX, it looks incredible!

SM: Rick Gonzolas did all our FX work and YES he is incredible.

BD: Were you nervous about casting no names, how did you go about it?

SM: I was never nervous about my casting. I knew Florida harbored some fantastic talent and we were dead set on finding some gems. We cast for the film the week before shooting and used our good friend RITA MAYONETTE who was able to find us the best cast we could possibly get for our money.

BD: This is a planned trilogy right? Any progress on it moving forward?

SM: It is a trilogy and yes we are moving forward. The script for the sequel is being reworked and Im waiting to be able to do this one the RIGHT way.

BD: What are you working on now? Anything you can spill the beans on?

SM: Im working over at BENDERSPINK pretty heavily on one of my next films called AREA 52, which is based on the Image Comic Book series. Im also in full swing on my Werewolf flick called BAD MOON RISING.

BD: If you were to tell the viewers one thing before they watch AUTOMATON what would it be?

SM: Take it for what it is- Blood, Mayhem, and Action- My favorite things in cinema

BD: Did you enjoy working on such a low budget, would you do it again?

SM: I enjoyed it because it was an experience. I would never do it on that low of a budget again.

BD: What movies inspired the film?

SM: Romero Films, Dead Alive, Zombie, Dawn of the dead remake, 28 days later, and back to the future.

BD: What filmmakers inspired you?

SM: Romero, Kubrick, Jackson, and Snyder

BD: What is your dream project?

SM: At the moment- Gears Of War

AUTOMATON TRANSFUSION is available on DVD March 4 from Dimension Extreme