Here is Part 2 of a 3-part Q&A with screenwriter-director Emily Hagins. Emily has written and directed two full-length feature films: Pathogen (2006) and The Retelling (2009). Emily is currently 17 years-old.

How long did the shoot last for Pathogen (when did shooting start and end)? How did you cast your movie (i.e., amateur and/or professional actors)? And what was your budget for producing the movie? How did you raise money for production?

The bulk of production took place over seven days during summer break. We had about four days outside of principal photography where we filmed the opening scene (with the adults) and some pick up shots. Most of the cast was my friends or other kids from school who liked to act, but I did hold auditions for a couple of parts. That is how I found Tiger Darrow for the part of Christine.

We didn’t plan out a budget for Pathogen, but over the course of two years we estimated that around $7,000 were spent over the course of two years. This total mainly accounted for the cost of meals, combined with some effects and props (and the little things that just add up over time). I’m not wealthy, we just spent money on the project over an extended period of time.

What jobs did you handle in making Pathogen (i.e., director, screenwriter, cinematographer, audio, etc)? What’s your favorite part / ‘job’ of the filmmaking process?

Director, cinematographer, editor, and screenwriter were the main ones. Directing was definitely my favorite part because it involved bringing all the elements together to tell the story.

Okay, big thematic question: Why did you choose slow-moving zombies versus zombies who can run?

It just made more sense to me- they’re dead, why should they be running around? It doesn’t make them any less scary. No matter what, they’re still a growing population of flesh-eating monsters.

What was the most frustrating part of making Pathogen? What was the most exhilarating aspect of making Pathogen?

The most frustrating part was when I accidentally filmed over one of our biggest scenes…on the last day of filming. The most exhilarating part of filming was when we filmed the big zombie scene (which was partially filmed over). We had a lot of zombies, and it was one of the most effects heavy/intense part of the film. It was a lot of fun to see it all come together!

What happened to Pathogen after you finished the movie (i.e., where it has screened, significant movie reviews, distribution)?

I screened it at the Alamo Drafthouse (the old downtown location) the spring after I finished the movie when I was 13-years-old. Since then, it’s played at a convention called CONvergence in Minnesota, Dismember the Alamo (zombie movie film festival), Texas Frightmare Weekend 2009, and a few summer camps. It’s gotten reviewed/mentioned in Teen Vogue, Rogue, Fangoria.com, and Aintitcoolnews.com (and others). I self distributed the film through my website.

In watching “Zombie Girl: The Movie,” it’s clear that your parents have been your biggest supporters. How important have your mother and father been in your development as a filmmaker?

Their support has definitely helped keep me motivated, especially when I was first starting out. One of my teachers in elementary school told me it was impossible for me to have a successful writing career (I wanted to grow up to be a writer before I started making movies), and I have to admit that was kind of discouraging to a third grader.

Even though I knew my movies weren’t masterpieces, my parents helped give me feedback and encourage me. They always wanted to help, but never wanted to do things for me. Not stage parents, just supportive. It may sound cheesy, but their love and support makes me feel incredibly lucky to be their daughter.

Tomorrow in Part 3, Emily discusses making her second feature film The Retelling.