From Allyson Sereboff…

Many more entries to come about the true life here in Tromaville — working with Lloyd, the production team, living conditions, the sweat, blood, and tears — so I will not dwell on those matters now.

I am a big believer in that everything in life happens for a reason. This film has tested, but ultimately proven, that theory. It all started when I sent in a headshot and resume to Tromaville for an opportunity to work with Lloyd Kaufman. “Poultrygeist: Attack of the Chicken Zombies!”..What the hell am I doing, I thought. Would my inspiration, Audrey Hepburn, have been crazy enough to do something like this? Would she stop by the Troma office on her way to having “Breakfast At Tiffany’s”?

One reassuring thing about life is that all these concerns and existential dilemmas have a tendency to melt away with time. As the history of our life is written in our shadows, the momentary doubts and insanities are explained by context and replaced with perspective. So looking back on the time in my life before I was a part of Poultrygeist, all the questions are now a part of my past and are no longer questions, but answers. There is absolutely no question in my mind why I answered a crazy casting call about chicken zombies.

Allyson with Andy

The main “answers” are the people I have met along this journey and the paths that I have crossed. In particular, I would like to tell you about my friend, Andy Monkelban. Andy’s body is confined to a wheelchair. I think I can speak for the production team, actors, protestors, and anyone else fortunate enough to meet Andy, that we are blessed to have crossed paths with this amazing soul. In the few long, hot, treacherous, stressful, “oh my g-d if this doesn’t end soon” days Andy spent with us, I learned one of life’s many great lessons. Do not take anything for granted. Life is too darn precious. Andy teaches you this with his eyes and his amazing smile. Thank you, Andy, for your dedication to Tromaville, and thank you for being on the front line to back Wendy and Micki on their mission.

P.S. The ACB dancers would like to thank you for being their biggest fan (wink* wink*). …In his own words…

I found out about Poultrygeist on LiveJournal. I have always been a fan of TROMA, so needless to say, I was excited to hear they were filming a movie here in Buffalo. So, I looked into it, talked with the fantastic Jamie Greco, and next thing I knew, I was in front of what would soon be the ACB, rehearsing with my fellow protestors.

I came into this venture not knowing exactly what to expect. When I received and read the sides for the protestors, however, I simply grinned, because it became apparent to me that this movie was up my alley. I have a rather… unique sense of humor.

Andy’s close-up!

Being the only person in a wheelchair in the movie, or rather, being able to be a part of this film, is an honor in itself. I’ve always admired Mr. Kaufman’s work, and to be a part of his Poultrygeist has been a wonderful experience. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, too, as there was a study released, just recently, that showed that disabled persons lack TV and movie roles. (I, personally, can’t believe they needed a study to find this out, but?)

Filming has been a real blast. All the protestors and cast have great senses of humor, and are easy to get along with. I even met a young lady that I went to high school with. Even though the sun has been brutal, we’ve all gotten along. Not only with the other protestors, but with the cast and crew, as well. We have made new friends over the time we’ve been rehearsing and filming.

How many hours have we been at this?

The days have been long for us protestors, (We put 26 hours total in on days 4 and 5? I think,) but even longer for Allyson, Jason, Kate, Robin and the others. So, I have to give them props for that.

Poultrygeist has been on my mind so much, it’s even gotten into my dreams at night. I had a dream, about a week ago, where I was in a mall, and when I looked at my left, there was an ACB, with “Generous General” being played over the PA system. And at the end of the mall was the General. When I woke up, I was like “What the hell…?”

Working on this film has definitely impacted the way I look at chicken, and the fast food industry, now. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to eat chicken again, hahaha! But, even so, I still can’t wait to see the finished product. I know all of our hard work, sunburns, slime, blood-covered fingers, and vomiting will be worth it, in the end. And, I, personally, hope that I’ll have the honor of being in another TROMA film, in the future.

— Andy Monkelban, Protestor

CLAM!