TWD Zombie Makeup Is So Realistic James Allen McCune Almost Punched An Extra BTS – Looper

Although it seems hard to believe that a “Walking Dead” cast member might be fooled by the walkers and their makeup, it’s worth noting the sheer level of detail that goes into creating all the zombies in the franchise. Special effects designer and director Greg Nicotero explained to Vulture in 2015 that the show’s groundbreaking prosthetic makeup is only one reason why these zombies look so believable: the series also utilizes a so-called “Zombie School” to help them move like a walker.

“I spend an entire day auditioning people, putting them through some exercises in terms of how fast they walk, what their character is, what their personality is, explain to them that in many instances, their performance can make or break a scene,” Nicotero said. He added that the best “walkers” are actors who bring a lot of character to their respective movements, comparing the process to Boris Karloff’s embodiment of Frankenstein’s monster.

Nicotero specifically referenced the zombified girl in the park from Season 1, who brought an intense level of sympathy and grief to the scene as Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) regretfully executed her. These “walkers” are actors in their own right, and their performances help to inform the emotions (and fear) of the cast around them. So it’s no wonder that James Allen McCune was scared out of his mind when one of these creatures showed up at the craft table — even if they only wanted some crackers, not human flesh.