Jill has always been a little weird - a characteristic enthusiastically verified by her family. Because of this, she's always into something interesting. She attended MassArt with concentrations in filmmaking and fine art and began work in the film industry in 1998, working predominantly as boom operator, grip, gaffer, storyboard artist, or production assistant on commercials and a number of feature, documentary, and independent films in the Boston and New York City areas. She began studying biological science at Northeastern in early 2010 and, since last December, has been working for a small accounting firm while working on creative projects whenever possible. She has two children, two kittens, and a fish that has lived three years (and change) beyond the usual life expectancy for its' species. She's a science and movie geek, and can't think of much she'd rather do than shoot zombies in the head.
Sean is much more quiet about the fact that he's a geek, but he sure is one. He wears a baseball cap a lot to try to blend in, but his resistance is futile. His intelligence, mixed with a seemingly endless supply of enthusiasm and optimism, creates an environment perfect for the growth of truly amazing ideas and solid fulfillment of goals. He graduated from UMass Amherst with a Political Science degree in 2004 and has worked primarily in the financial services field during the years since. His hobbies include whitewater rafting, playing softball, watching dorky TV shows, getting into fierce debates, and watching people play pretty much any sport ever created ever. He's also a pretty good shot. The zombies won't like him much.
What exactly is The Compound?
The Compound is a sports facility where people can come, arm themselves with paintball pistols, and shoot zombies in an environment that makes it feel as though the player is experiencing a real zombie apocalypse.
What inspired you to create The Compound?
After having a random epiphany about the game itself, we were excited over how insanely fun it would be to play. We then thought, rather than just playing it ourselves, we should create a place where everyone can get the experience.
What safety measures will you take to make sure everyone has a safe, but scary time while at the compound?
All players and employees wear the types of safety gear recommended or required by the state; players get military-style helmets and goggles that provide proper safety while fitting perfectly into the apocalyptic environment, and employees (zombies) wear safety goggles underneath their masks. Employees can also elect to wear chest protectors underneath their garments, since it's likely that some players will miss when aiming for the head.
What are some of your favorite zombie movies?
Jill: Dawn of the Dead; 1978, Shaun of the Dead; 2004, Army of Darkness; 1992, Night of the Living Dead; 1968, Zombieland; 2009.
Sean: Dawn of the Dead (old and new), 28 Days Later (I know not technically a zombie flick but still), Dead Alive (Peter Jackson is a freaking genius. Never see it if you’ve eaten in the last day or so).
What are some of your favorite books that feature zombies?
Jill: World War Z by Max Brooks is my favorite, though I wish the book had some sort of solid ending..it just kind of stopped. I couldn't really get into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith, though I tried valiantly.
Sean: Just finished World War Z. Anything that makes me think about something like a zombie apocalypse in real world terms is fantastic. I actually started looking at the world and the way we do things differently (how could you clear every inch of a continent? Mind boggling).
How would you survive a zombie outbreak?
Jill: I would hope I’d have a large enough store of ammo, a solid place to be, and enough food to last until I can figure out how to grow food hydroponically! Cut a hole only big enough to shoot through in a couple of walls and call it a day.
Sean: Depends on the type. If you have slow movers you get some guns and some ammo and a close up melee weapon and just make sure that if you have to fight off anyone up close you have your eyes, mouth and nose covered (and pray you have no small cuts you didn’t notice). Fast movers? Who knows? Might be time to kiss your loved ones and your a— goodbye.
If you were a zombie, what kind of zombie would you be?
Jill: A flaming, gurgling, frighteningly slow zombie. I wish I could say I'd be a fast-mover, but that's just not accurate.
Sean: Hopefully not a long lived one. Jill has explicit instructions to put one in my head if I ever get turned!
Do you think the zombie Apocalypse will happen in 2012?
Jill: Nah. Not unless it's happening at The Compound!
Sean: Maybe, if the aliens have left anyone alive, and the pole shift hasn’t put everything under water, and that rogue planet doesn’t smash us into little pieces. But if CBS renews 2 Broke Girls I for one would welcome our new Zombie overlords.
Have you read Max Brook's Zombie Survival Guide?
Jill: I have. Well, I've read most of it and skimmed some parts. I have the accompanying set of flash cards as well - they're fantastic.
Sean: Reading it now actually.
Do you like the T.V. show "The Walking Dead"?
Jill: The first season was fantastic. Frank Darabont is one of my favorite directors and zombies/horror one of my favorite genres, so the first season was the best of both worlds for me. I haven't made up my mind about the second season yet. I'll probably watch it and just cross my fingers that it lives up to the first season.
Sean: Love it. First season was over too fast. Thank God the new season starts soon.
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