The Walking Dead is the hit US TV series created by AMC, it is the most watched drama in basic cable history. Having already ran four successful seasons of the popular show a fifth season has been confirmed much to fans delight.
Genre- The genre of the show is horror and also falls into to sci-fi and action/adventure genres. Primarily horror due to its graphic scenes.
Form- The form of The Walking Dead is a on going series of episodes. There have so far been 4 seasons consisting of a total of 51 episodes. Season 5 is set to premier October 2014.
Origins
The American horror drama is based on the comic book series of the same name and was developed by Frank Darabont who has directed many famous films (The Shawshank Redemption and The Green mile for example). Frank found himself intrigued with the original comic book series created by Robert Kirkman and first initiated a deal with NBC (The National Broadcasting Company) to own copyrights of the show, but they declined and so Darabont took his idea to AMC Networks. Darabont wrote and directed the pilot episode and was executive producer for the first season, this happened between 2010 and 2011. After this first season Darabont was fired from position as show runner due to the low budget and strained relationship with the AMC executives. (Source- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Darabont)
Content/Plot
The story tells us of how the police Sheriff wakes up from a coma (in which he slipped into when shot on duty) in a trashed hospital completely alone. He quickly discovers something is deadly wrong when the area is littered with dead bodies and violent scenes. Rick must find his wife and son but when he does more secrets and troubles are unraveled.
Success
The Walking Dead's pilot episode aired on October 31st 2010 in the US, it's halloween release date caused a large buzz that won the pilot episode 5.35 million viewers. The episode entitled, 'Days Gone Bye' focused on the shows main character, Rick Grimes played by Andrew Lincoln and shown above in the promo picture. The TV show has now more than doubled in viewers in the fourth season which hasn't even been finished airing yet. Viewers have increased with each season, two having a highest of 8.99 million, three seeing 12.40 million and finally the current season having 16.11 million in just the first episode. All of these statistics were found at http://walkingdead.wikia.com/wiki/The_Walking_Dead_(TV_Series).
Awards and Nominations
The Walking Dead has been nominated for many awards as a show and for individual actors due to it's high quality in plot, graphics and acting. It was nominated for 'Best New Series for 2011 Writers Guiled of America Awards' and also 'Best Television Drama' at the 68th Golden Globe Awards. At the American Film institute Awards 2010 it was named one of the top 10 television programs of 2010. At the 2011 Saturn Awards the show received six nominations; for Best Television Presentation, Andrew lincoln for Best Actor in Television, Sarah Wayne Callies for Best Actress on Television, Steven Yeun for Best Supporting Actor in Television, Laurie Holden for Best Supporting Actress in Television and Noah Emmerich for Best Guest Starring Role in Television. The pilot episode was nominated three times for the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series and won for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series.
Production Process-
The Walking Dead is filmed at Riverwood Studios in Gerogia, USA. Several other iconic locations in the show were filmed in Georgia, just a couple to name are a character, Hershel Greene's, farm where a group of survivors seek refuge before the farm is overrun with zombies and the Prison, where the characters found themselves next for two seasons. These settings are Lone Oak Dr Senoia and the West central Prison, Zebulon respectively.
(Source- http://www.omg-facts.com/Fun+Facts/The-Walking-Dead-Has-A-2-8-Million-Dolla/56246 )
Content/Cast-
- Rick Grimes - Andrew Lincoln (Plays 'Mark' in Love Actually)
- Carl Grimes - Chandler Riggs
- Glen Rhee - Steven Yeun
- Daryl Dixon - Norman Reedus (Seen as 'Scud' in Blade 2)
- Carol Peletier - Melissa McBride (Dr Rachel Woods in Walker Texas Ranger)
- Maggie Green - Lauren Cohan (Also known as Rose in The Vampire Diaries)
- Michonne - Danai Gurira
The Walking Dead at Universal Horror Nights
Every halloween Universal Studios theme parks host an elaborate and terrifying event known as 'halloween horror nights'. This includes 8 haunted houses that are modelled after famous horror movies or in the case of The Walking Dead TV show. As the AMC show is so hugely popular Universal decided to make it the theme of the 2013 horror nights and have also already confirmed they are bringing the walking dead haunted house back for 2014. As it was the theme, a street experience for during the day was created so that visitors to the park could walk between attractions and be chased by zombies and witness recreated scenes straight from the show. The was called, 'The Walking Dead: The Undead Streets'.
By doing this universal were able to market and publicise the amazing show and give fans an opportunity to feel as though they are actually in the walking dead world.
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