My first film was a zombie short. And I'm actually pretty proud of it, as long as I chop off the last minute. But every time I watch it, I can't help but wonder; why are the characters yelling at each other in the beginning? I wish I could travel back in time and not let myself fall into that trope.

It seems every low budget zombie film begins with at least one character hysterically yelling through their inability to act. Assuredly, in a zombie apocalypse, there will be people yelling everywhere you turn. But if they start yelling in the middle of your small, vacant, safe-room, you're doomed. And I wouldn't invite someone in the throes of hysteria to join my group of survivors. In the same vein, I don't want them speaking for longer than a sentence in my films.

The trope is generally so: bad-ass guy who's willing to do whatever it takes to survive and very much wants to speak his mind, makes his presence known. Kind-hearted girl unable to come to grips with the situation and only wanting everyone to be okay confronts the bad-ass' lack of morals. They banter until something terrible happens.

I'll make another zombie movie one day and it will begin with the group of survivors having a very civil chat over tea.