Zombies terrorize, parade Comm. Ave

During a seemingly peaceful Thursday afternoon, a horde of student zombies arose from their homework stupor and terrorized Commonwealth Avenue.

Organized by College of Communication senior Nate Goldman, the zombie run marked the finale of Undead End, a series of radio performances that aired every Thursday in October on Boston University’s student radio station WTBU.

Goldman reached out to the BU student population asking them to dress up as zombies and storm the streets as part of the plot of Undead End episode where zombies have finally taken over Boston.

Student makeup artists assisted in the project to make volunteers look extra horrifying, he said.

At 5 p.m., about 30 student zombies staggered into the north entrance of the George Sherman Union, moaning and growling.

“It was very disturbing, especially because I was trying to eat,” said College of Arts and Sciences freshman Henry Eve.

CAS freshman Jimmy Pang, who sported fake wounds around his eyes and a tattered and bloodstained Adidas undershirt, said he really enjoyed acting like a zombie.

“I feel complete,” he said. “I have never felt like this before. I think I’ve finally found myself.”

“It’s really a once in a lifetime chance to dress up and pretend to be something you’re not,” added CAS freshman and fellow participant Guenevere Neuhedel.

Students said they particularly enjoyed scaring people walking down the street.

“Fear’s my favorite reaction,” said College of General Studies sophomore Sebastian Filgueira-Gomez. “I walked by a few tour groups on the way here.”

“It was definitely worth it,” said CAS sophomore Elysia Heilig. “I love just weirding people out, banging on windows and freaking out the people inside.”

Goldman said he was very happy about the run.

“Every person at every table in the GSU had their phones out taking pictures, so it was really awesome. . . I just think it went super, super well,” he said..

Goldman said he captured his favorite moment of the run in a picture of a man with an umbrella about to attack a zombie.

“It was like an action shot, so the umbrella swing was kind of blurred, and it was really close to the zombie’s head, so he must have been able to stop on a dime, because it really looked like he was about to hit his head,” he said.

CAS freshman Hannah Cohen said that of all fantastical monsters, zombies strike a particular emotional chord.

“Zombies are more realistic. If you want to prepare for a threat, you’re not going to prepare against vampires,” she said, as fake blood dripped from her lower lip.

Goldman agreed that zombies are some of the better monsters in the fantasy realm.

“To me, zombies are just the coolest science fiction monster of all time…the idea of humanity destroying humanity. It’s all a big metaphor for the human condition. They’re like humans at their worst, essentially,” he said.

Goldman, who has worked on the show for two years, said his favorite comic book, “The Walking Dead,” inspired him to create Undead End.

“To see something I have been working on for two years realized was just absolutely phenomenal,” he said. “I hope that everyone goes to listen to the podcasts and everything.”

Although the show was meant to be entertaining, Goldman said it was also influenced by political and social events.

Goldman said he wanted his show to display the dangers of reckless scientific research.

He said he supports using technology to improve human life but people should be careful not to let that endeavor fall victim to “greed and megalomania.”