Vampire Zombies…From Space!:
Inside Mike Stasko’s Homage to 1950s B-Movies
In advance of its screening at the Calgary Underground Film Festival, I spoke with director Mike Stasko by Zoom about Vampire Zombies…From Space!, his loving black-and-white tribute to 1950s drive-in horror. Stasko joked that he was “wearing a tuxedo” for our chat — a detail he made sure I knew even though the conversation was audio-only.
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Origins of Vampire Zombies…From Space!
The film grew out of a long-running collaboration. Writers Jakob Skrzypa and Alex Forman first drafted a crude version of the story in high school, assembling homemade segments on VHS and Super 8. Much of the tone, many of the characters, and a lot of the gags existed even then, Stasko says, but the pieces lacked a strong through-line. Turning those sketches into a feature required structural pruning and recombination—some characters were merged, others removed—to give the protagonist more coherence. What began as three separate heroine-types became one more fully formed character by the final draft.
Film Influences and Genre Nods
The finished film wears its influences on its sleeve. Stasko points to Plan 9 from Outer Space as an obvious touchstone, but it was Young Frankenstein that most shaped the film’s aesthetic approach. He admires how that film was beautifully lit and designed yet allowed comedy to arise naturally from a lovingly crafted world. Stasko adopted a similar strategy here: lean into the clichés and broad gags, but keep the film’s internal logic intact so the laughter comes from both affection and craft.
The humor in Vampire Zombies…From Space! is often broad and intentional; the tropes are deliberate and obvious. That directness is part of the joke, Stasko explains—audiences will recognize the homage and respond to the affectionate absurdity. Maintaining a believable world, even within a spoof, was essential to prevent the film from tipping into throwaway parody.
The Cinematography of Vampire Zombies…From Space!
Despite the chaos on screen, the movie is often visually striking. Shot on an ARRI Alexa Mini, the production relied primarily on three prime lenses—28mm, 50mm, and 85mm—which helped give the black-and-white imagery a cinematic clarity. Stasko praised his Windsor-based cinematographer, Ken, for his commitment and craftsmanship. The team invested heavily in preparation: four days of camera tests, meticulous Sunday shot-planning sessions, and long sixteen-hour production days. Stasko admits to being specific about shot selection, averaging many setups per day, while crediting Ken for creating many of the film’s memorable lighting moments, like light cutting through trees to create atmosphere.
A Canadian Production, Performances, and The Score
Filming in Windsor, Ontario, made practical and creative sense. Stasko returned to Windsor after years away for school and work, and he found the local filmmaking community both supportive and resourceful. Using local talent and services allowed the production to stretch its budget: one third-act sequence required 180 extras in full zombie makeup, something Stasko says would have been prohibitively expensive in Toronto. Access to a quality post-production house in the area was also a key advantage.
For performances, Stasko favored spontaneity. He often used actors’ first takes to capture a slightly campy, off-kilter delivery, then requested alternate versions to build options during editing. That approach preserves the film’s rough charm and keeps the comedic moments fresh. The score follows the same principle: composer Ian Smith created a sweeping, sincere orchestral soundtrack rather than ironic or gimmicky cues. Played straight—think lush strings under bat-filled nights—the music amplifies the comedy by treating the material seriously, which, paradoxically, heightens the humor.
The Festival Success of Vampire Zombies…From Space!
On the festival circuit the film has gained momentum, earning more than thirty-five selections to date. Stasko believes part of the appeal is rarity: a black-and-white spoof that blends vampire and zombie tropes with a 1950s drive-in sensibility is uncommon, even at genre festivals. That distinct identity, combined with the film’s evident craft, has helped it stand out.
Ultimately, Vampire Zombies…From Space! is both affectionate send-up and serious piece of filmmaking. Beneath the foam, blood, and fireworks are moments of genuine beauty and careful design—testimony to a team that understands both the mechanics of genre and the pleasures of camp. The result is a film that can make you laugh at the gag while admiring the workmanship that makes the gag work.
Vampire Zombies…From Space! Trailer
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