Instructor’s music adds life to zombie film

In a dreary Clairemont Mesa business district with chunky grey dry cleaning plants and obscure offices, the rock-n-roll zombies are on the march. Southwestern College artists are to blame.
Riding the wave of the dead-man-walking zombie craze, SWC English instructor Jude Travis Phelps and telemedia major Timothy Ruiz have a simmering kettle with a little George Romero, some REM and a dash of Buddy Holly. Their suburban Frankenstein is “Night Terrors,” a rocker that inspired a short film in the spirit of “Night of the Living Dead.”
Phelps’ band Skyhigh Karma has a new album, “Mixed Partial Hearts,” that is a charming but melancholy compilation featuring Phelps, 38, on vocals and guitars, Hyung Sun Yoon, 28, on guitars and Jayson Ehm, 27, on drums.
“Night Terrors” preys on America’s fascination with zombies. Skyhigh Karma and the film crew teamed up with the Ultimate FX Nerd Team, which conjured up all the dust and decay seen in the film. UFX worked on “The Walking Dead” television series and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”
SWC cinematography major Enrique Moreno, 27, said he was enthusiastic about the project.
“The band Skyhigh Karma was amazing in every aspect,” said Moreno. “Their music speaks so loud, yet the individuals that emerge from behind the instruments are completely subtle and humble human beings. I enjoyed every moment spent with them. The Nerdteam makeup crew, brought a new level of production to our video… it was an honor to work with such equipped and talented individuals.”
Ruiz agreed.
“Working with the ultimate FX nerd team was amazing,” Ruiz said. “They’re professionals and one of the best in the business so they’re working on a different level. I believe working around someone like that brings everybody’s game up.”
Though the band enjoyed filming, “Night Terrors” does not represent Skyhigh Karma’s modus operandi, said Phelps.
“We want to be seen, that’s why we’re doing the videos and playing the show we are,” said Phelps. “‘Night Terrors’ represents the end of that period. We’re looking forward to showcasing the new sound.”