A film with bite: NM-based director Daniel Zubiate wears many hats on production of 'Vampire Lake'

Adrian Gomez, Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
·2 min read

Jan. 4—Daniel Zubiate doesn't know how to slow down.

The New Mexico-based filmmaker finds himself always creating.

Which is why in September, he began principal photography on his latest project, "Vampire Lake."

"I started shooting b-roll as early as July," Zubiate says. "I needed the creeks to be full and I needed the foliage to look a certain way."

Principal photography began in Los Alamos over the course of four days. The rest of the film was shot on the road or in the woods.

"It's very much a road movie," he says. "It's about a journey to the lake and then the journey home."

"Vampire Lake" follows a woman who journeys to a secluded lake to summon a vampire.

"This girl goes to the lake and there's a legend that she can summon a vampire," Zubiate says. "She does it and makes a deal with him. Then he begins to start killing her companions."

Zubiate says the film is female-led.

The cast is made up of Celeste Lee, KayLynda McCune, MyKayla McCune and Chelcie Sword. Albuquerque-based actor Addison Foskey plays the vampire and Alan Humphrey plays the hitchhiker.

Zubiate has filmed dozens of film projects — this one stands out.

"This was the best filming experience I had," he says. "This was because my entire cast was completely off book. We were able to move and create bigger scenes. Everyone was extremely professional and the weather was very cooperative. The stars aligned for this project."

Zubiate was not only at the helm as director. He wrote and produced, as well as served as the cinematographer and editor.

"I was my own director of photography," he says.

Although the stars aligned for the project, there were a few challenges.

"When you are filming outdoors, you are racing the sun," he says. "That was one aspect I decided to embrace. I worked with the natural light to create the feel of the movie."

Zubiate also worked with Foskey for the first time and was impressed by his range.

"Addison has to be one of the best actors in New Mexico right now," he says. "He took the role of the vampire and made it his. I didn't have to explain anything to him. He can act."

Zubiate is planning a screening in Santa Fe or Albuquerque in January and then will send the film off for distribution.

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.