Pima’s Film and Theater Collaboration Brings “Night of the Living Dead” to Life

By Shelby Gundrey for Marketing, Communications and Strategic Outreach

This Fall at Pima Community College, the worlds of film and theater are coming together, blending their distinct art forms and approaches to complement each other in an innovative project. Pima’s Film Department is collaborating with the Theatre Department to create a full digital film version of the play "Night of the Living Dead", adapted by Chris Will, the Department Head for Theater and Dance, which will be paired with additional student-created segments that play throughout the show. A fresh and creative environment is being fostered by this powerful collaboration, where students and staff from both departments can explore the connections between storytelling, technology, and visual arts across media. By bringing all of these strengths together, Pima’s Film and Theatre Departments are expanding the possibilities of learning for their students, creating new opportunities for real-world experience in the industry while forming new connections.

A Novel Approach to Storytelling

At the center of both film and theatre is a passion for storytelling. Whether the format is screen or stage, the shared goal is to engage and entertain the audience. Building on this common ground, collaboration between the two departments has been valuable and natural.

Under the direction of Chris Will, the Theatre Department has created a performance full of energy, passion, and incredible depth. When asked about the collaboration between the two departments, Will said, “It has been an absolute joy to collaborate with the Pima Film Department. They have acted so professionally throughout the whole process, it makes me excited for the future of filmmakers in America. Friday night, when we recorded, had to have been one of my most cherished moments as an educator.”

The Right Cast and Crew

Without the perfect cast, you can’t have a perfect movie. Luckily, the Theatre Department cast the perfect group of students for this story. Everyone performed spectacularly, with leads Kia Benson, Charlotte Raines, and Caden Wilfong impressing everyone with their emotional range and frightening faces. “Collaborating with the film department was such an awesome experience,” Benson said. “I’ve never done anything like it before. It truly felt like we were shooting a real movie. The whole process was incredibly professional, and the film crew was an absolute blast to work with. We’re all so grateful for the time and effort they put into capturing the work we've poured into this show. Looking forward to more collaborations in the future.”

Charlotte Raines also delivered the most blood-curdling screams throughout the performance that would make any horror buff proud. During the filming of the performance, you could see everyone in the film department watching with awe. This was truly a creative and unique theater experience that none of us will forget.

Proving Their Mettle in a Challenging Production  

When it came time to transition the production to the screen, the Pima Film Department, with additional support from Pima FIGHT Club, also known as Film Club, stepped up to the challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism. Hayden Snell, faculty advisor for the film club, did a fantastic job guiding students throughout the process, coordinating schedules, and allowing everyone to use the Film Lab to come together.

Snell praised everyone involved, saying, “The Night of the Living Dead project has cemented my belief that these amazing students, which includes the author of this article, have what it takes to change the world through film in the same way that they’ve used this collaboration to bridge the gap between art departments here at Pima.”

Also helping throughout the coordination process was Pima FIGHT Club President Sam Snyder, a sophomore majoring in Digital Film Production. “Everybody absolutely crushed it working as a unit and adapting to technical difficulties in mere minutes,” Snyder said. He did a wonderful job motivating the club members to work together and overcome challenges by bringing out the students’ strengths. Snyder added that he wants the world to “watch out for the Spring Expo because the film squad is cooking!” Stay tuned for the Film Department’s Spring Expo 2026, where student films are presented to the public!

Guiding the film’s adaptation was Director Javier Fimbres, whose confidence and passion for filmmaking were as infectious as the ghouls in the story. No technical difficulties or obstacles would get in the way, thanks to him and all of the students on stage and behind the cameras. When asked his thoughts on the collaboration, Fimbres said, “Working with the Theatre Department on recording their adaptation of Night of the Living Dead was such a blast. These actors are insanely talented. All the lighting, stage, and tech made filming a really rewarding experience for us. Huge shoutout to the crew. We pulled off something special, and I can’t wait for more people to see it!”

A Glimpse into the Future of Storytelling 

At Pima Community College, this collaboration between film and theater is not just a creative experiment; it’s a glimpse into the future. The students involved are at the forefront of an exciting journey toward multi-media and interdisciplinary storytelling. The success of this collaboration has raised the bar for what is possible between the two departments and will hopefully inspire incoming students for years to come. It will be exciting to see what future creations we will bring to life together. But until then, grab some snacks, head to the Black Box Theater, and watch "Night of the Living Dead" showing this October 16th-26th!