You know I love it when I can truly say I love something that someone else is doing with a hearty ‘FUCK YEAH- that’s AWESOME’ … and I love it even MORE when I ask for an interview and I get the response ‘Rock on let’s do it’… I have a feeling that besides our mutual love for Star Wars and Zombies (you remember THESE and THESE don’t you?) that I’m gonna end up a fan of more of Matt Busch’s work… Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr Matt Busch!
ZK: Heya Matt, great to have you here on Zombieinfo.com, tell us a bit about your whole Artist, Writer, Filmmaker deal…
MB: Hey Zombie King! I’m a fan of the site, so it’s an honor to be here! I’m an artist, mostly known for the Star Wars work I do, as you mentioned, but I’ve also been lucky enough to break out into aspects of writing and even filmmaking. In terms of Zombies, folks here would know the nearly 20 covers I’ve illustrated for Night of the Living Dead comic books, and of course the Star Wars / Zombie parody posters I did a few months back seemed to be a pretty big hit. (We fucking LOVED it!-ZK) I’ve also done some other miscellaneous zombie stuff here and there, like some work with Gene Simmons on House of Horrors.
ZK: Let’s get this one out of the way early- How do you like your zombies, fast or slow?
MB: You know, I hate to be PC, especially on zombies, but I sit in the middle. I can appreciate both, but at the same time can see what bugs people about each. Slow zombies are sometimes so slow that it becomes unintentionally funny. Fast zombies can be ‘too fast’ and kind of defeat the purpose of what a zombie is. We need a new middle-ground.
ZK: You really run the gambit on what you like to draw- kind of like a creative ADD… I love it because it offers people a wide variety, if they hate your Zombies (they better not!) Then they can dig on your KISS stuff, or your pin ups (rawr!)… What drives you to be so eclectic? Essentially I’m asking you… What the fuck is wrong with you?
MB: Ya know, Creative A.D.D. is a great way to put it! As much as I love the variety of working on so many different genres, I would likely be bored if I had to pick just one. I think crossing over into writing and filmmaking has also been an extension of that. It means I spend less time at the drawing board, but every time I site back at it, it’s fresh and exciting. The day I’m bored or am not having fun with this is the day I retire. I just don’t see it happening.
ZK: Now, the Zombies… oh how we love them here… What zombie or horror works have influenced you?
I know some people don’t consider these zombie movies per se, but too bad, I do. The Evil Dead movies really are the quintessential undead movies for me. And what I love about the trilogy is the variety in genre. While they all tell the saga of Ash, the first movie is actually quite scary, in my opinion. The second hams it up to the point of being a comedy. And the third is almost more of an action movie, though certainly has elements of horror and comedy as well.
ZK: You’ve made some films (and books) teaching others to draw… tell us a bit about it. (Check out his YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE)
MB: You Can Draw Star Wars is the book that most peeps are familiar with. Doing nearly 400 drawings and illustrations for that led to the videos Online and the DVDs. I’ve written and illustrated other tutorial books like How To Draw Peanuts (The Charlie Brown kind) and countless magazine articles on such subjects. I also teach at Macomb College near Detroit. I just love teaching and inspiring others to go for their dreams. They say when you love something, all you want to do is share it with others. Totally true.
ZK: You have been involved with a lot of films and television in various roles (see his CREDITS HERE) : actor, art department, Director, Writer… Do you have a favourite job on a set? (I loved the infomercial for your book by the way…)
MB: Again, with the creative A.D.D., I enjoy it all. I think with filmmaking, though, the one thing I’m continually fascinated with is editing. For me that’s where the (hopeful) magic really comes together. Good editing can save an otherwise bad movie, or change the tone entirely from what was originally intended.
The Worlds of Matt Busch – Infomercial
MATT BUSCH | MySpace Video
ZK: So…what’s next for you, Matt?
MB: More of the same, but always trying to evolve and step up the game. I have four more of the How to Draw Star Wars videos and then I’ll be done with the series… I have a new giant-sized sketchbook coming out this year… Planet of the Apes stuff… Star Wars trading cards… New pin-up drum sticks… And some new movie stuff is coming down the pipeline, too.
Listen man, we really appreciate your time and hope the time you took to chat to us didn’t stop you from painting 3 pieces while writing 2 films and directing another over your shoulder… you need a vacation man!!! In all seriousness – keep up the good work, you rock.
I’m ‘the Zombieking’ and this topic is now DEAD to me.
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