How to Rock a Zombie Lurch
Have you heard there's going to be a zombie lurch in your area but don't
know how to prepare?
Not to worry- attending a zombie lurch is
both easy and fun. Let's break it down!
What to Expect
Zombie lurches are a type of flash mob, so planning and coordination is traditionally
minimal. Don't get caught up in the details or expect an embossed
invitation. You'll be lucky if your lurch advertises itself on a
rudimentary website. Don't worry though- this relative obscurity is
what makes flash mobs so darn cool.
Because flash mobs are
ephemeral affairs, it would be ridiculous to expect zombie lurches to be
consistent in nature. Some will be larger than others. Some will be rowdier
than others. And some will have more photographers present than
zombies. Because there is no telling exactly how things will turn out,
you'll have to be ready to go with the flow. But that's cool. Zombies
can handle that. They don't think about all that much, really. Just
brains.
When to Arrive
Early! It's fun to watch everyone trickle in and feel the anticipation
build. If you brought makeup with you, you can apply it there. If
you're feeling altruistic, you can help out some newbies with your mad
zombifying skills. If you don't have the necessary makeup and don't
know how to apply it, you just might find a friendly stranger willing to
gore you up.
Just because the lurch hasn't started yet doesn't
mean things don't happen pre-lurch. At one lurch I attended in DC,
arriving zombies engaged in some light 'Thriller' action to the tunes of
a portable boom box. Now who would want to miss that?
What to Wear
Obviously you'll want to come in torn and bloodied clothing. If you like, you can bloody yourself up once you arrive for increased dramatic flare, but some people feel self-conscious about pouring fake blood over themselves in public, so feel free to come fully prepped.
How to Accessorize
Zombie lurches can be a lot like prom night- dressing up is important,
but victory is in the accessories.
When accessorizing, consider
your location. In the DC lurch I attended, political signs were a
common accessory, which was perfect considering how similar the group
looked to the common protesters clogging the streets on a daily basis.
There
are, of course, the classic accessories: brains and hands for example.
These can be classically chic, but to make them really work,
you've got to work it- and by that, I mean you should be chewing
on the brains, and doing as many obscene things with body part
accessories as you can. Get creative!
Of course, the most
effective accessories are those one cannot buy at a Halloween supply
store. The coolest accessory I ever saw was a piece of a broken
motorcycle which was worn by the zombie and splattered with blood. This
gave the impression that our zombie comrade had been attacked on the
road. Now that's accessorizing, folks.
Who to Bring
Your friends, of course! Zombie lurches are great group activities-
much more fun than hanging out at the mall or going to the movies. You
might also consider bringing along a spouse or boy/girlfriend. Zombie
couples are hilarious- even more so when they hungrily gnaw on each
other.
Zombie lurches also make for wonderful family affairs.
Bring your children! Kids are already super cool with dressing up
(unless they're in that short-lived stage were masks are a major no-no),
and the mindless hordes will adore your stroller-bound minion in
his adorable bloodied and bruised face makeup.
That said, it's
perfectly alright to lurch stag. You'll meet a ton of cool people and
feel like you're really part of something bigger than yourself... it's
like a big, brains-hungry AA group. Or something.
How to Learch
One can easily spot a newbie at a zombie lurch by watching him or her at
the beginning of the crawl. Beginners just don't get it! If
you're new to lurching though, don't worry it is actually quite easy.
First,
you have to get over your inhibition. A lot of people feel
self-conscious about lurching, but consider this: you're already walking
down the center of a public street in bloody and tattered clothing- you
might as well move like you look.
Next, you must consider
technique. Each zombie develops its own particular style of lurch, but
if you have yet to find your own, here are some suggestions:
1.
The classic foot-drag: My personal favorite; this style involves
hopping forward on one foot and dragging an inert leg behind, preferably
with the instep of your foot making contact with the pavement.
2.
The wide-stance stagger: Involves a wide stance and slow, halting
steps with shaky balance. Try to visualize and emulate the gate of a
baby learning to walk or a very old man whose adult diaper is chafing.
3.
The feeding frenzy: For more adventurous zombies, this lurch
involves aggressive movement and is best suited for more athletic
zombies. Common feeding frenzy moves include dashing about, jumping on
victims, and climbing street poles and statues.
What to Say
Zombie lurches are not exactly Socratic seminars. Feel free to be as inarticulate as you please. Common sounds include moans and screams; if you prefer to use words, the most popular one in these situations is "BRAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIINSSSSSS." For the minimalist, a simple "BRAIN" will do.
Dramatic Flourishes
Some zombies will get involved with 'the living' by attacking cars, street vendors, and passers by. Common flourishes involve smashing one's body and face against car, store, or restaurant windows. Such actions should be considered, measured, and relatively gentle; it's one thing to make passers-by laugh or start in surprise, but a completely different issue altogether to incite road rage or arrest.
To Sum it Up...
Zombie lurches are ridiculously fun. If there is one coming up in your
area, GO. It doesn't matter who you are, where you're form, what
supplies you have, or whether or not you've even seen a zombie
film. Zombie lurches are events that can be enjoyed by all types.
If
there isn't a zombie lurch in your area, don't be sad- you can start
your own! Just get some friends together, set a time and place, and
spread the word. Even if your lurch is small, you'll have fun, and you
just might start a local tradition.
Happy lurching!