The Last Ride at Pioneer Park

A Zombie Western Short Film by Banzerini House

When the sun sets over the Arizona desert, something stirs in the dust.
The Last Ride at Pioneer Park is an original zombie western short film filming February 12–15, 2027 at the historic Pioneer Living History Museum — where real 1800s buildings become the perfect stage for the undead.

This film isn’t just a story — it’s a hands-on learning experience.
Banzerini House, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization, gives young artists the opportunity to learn every aspect of film production — acting, directing, cinematography, lighting, sound, and editing — on a professional set guided by industry mentors.

🎁 Supporter Perks

Every dollar brings this film — and our students’ dreams — to life.
Choose a tier that fits your budget and join the Banzerini House family!

💀 $10 – The Drifter
Personalized thank-you email from the cast or crew + exclusive project updates.

🤠 $25 – The Sheriff’s Deputy
All previous perks + social media shout-out.

🔫 $50 – The Wanted List
All previous perks + early digital access to the finished film.

🎨 $75 – The Outlaw’s Poster
All previous perks + signed digital poster of the cast.

📜 $100 – The Gold Rush Script
All previous perks + digital copy of the script signed by cast & crew.

🖼️ $250 – The Dusty Poster
All previous perks (except digital poster) + physical signed poster picked up in Arizona.

🎁 $500 – Ghost Town Insider
All previous perks + Associate Producer credit + mystery gift from set (prop or wardrobe piece).

🎥 $1,000 – The Lawman
All previous perks + Producer credit + two VIP premiere tickets + handwritten thank-you from the director.

🏆 $5,000 – The Marshal’s Cut
All previous perks + Executive Producer credit + private virtual Q&A with the director + exclusive BTS film reel + screen-used prop.

⭐ $10,000 – Legend of Pioneer Park
All previous perks + private set tour + cast photo + private screening for up to 25 guests + featured Executive Producer IMDb credit.

🎥 About the Film

Genre: Stylized coming-of-age zombie western — think Scott Pilgrim meets a haunted carnival.

Setting: An abandoned Pioneer-style amusement park — the perfect mix of eerie nostalgia and cinematic playground. The entire story unfolds in this one ghost-town location at the historic Pioneer Living History Museum in Phoenix, AZ.

Concept Summary:
A group of lifelong friends sneaks into an abandoned Pioneer Park for one final adventure before one of them moves away. What starts as harmless fun turns terrifying when the group’s history nerd accidentally unleashes the curse of the Undead Sheriff, a ghostly lawman who keeps children trapped in his town forever.

Separated, the friends face zombie children — playful, innocent, but wrong — and must confront their fears of growing up and letting go. Each chapter follows a different group:

The Outlaws — trapped in a shed, confronting friendship fractures.
The Angels of Dust — fighting their way through the park, facing change head-on.
The Lone Ranger — alone and afraid, discovering courage in solitude.

In a final dawn showdown, they unite to defeat the Sheriff, free the lost souls, and face the sunrise changed forever.

Tone & Style:
Fast-cut, comic-book energy.
Warm, nostalgic daylight.
Playful, cinematic action instead of gore.
Heartfelt. Humorous. Hopeful.

Themes:
✨ The bittersweet shift between childhood and adulthood.
💬 Friendship tested by fear and change.
🌅 Courage, creativity, and growing up.

🎬 Why It Matters

Banzerini House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization bringing professional theater and film experiences to young performers in Arizona.
Through The Last Ride at Pioneer Park, students (ages 10–16) learn every step of filmmaking — acting, camera, lighting, sound, editing, and storytelling — on a real film set with professional mentors.

Our previous productions — Home From School, Lost and Finders Club, Stolen Wishes, and I Didn’t Do It — have earned local acclaim and given dozens of kids real on-set experience.
This new film is our most ambitious project yet: a stylized, heartfelt zombie western about friendship, courage, and growing up.

💰 Where the Money Goes

Producing a professional short film typically costs around $60,000. We’re setting a $50,000 goal to cover core essentials:

🎥 Camera, lighting & equipment rentals
🧥 Makeup, wardrobe & production design
🏜️ Location fees & insurance
🎧 Post-production (editing, sound, music)
🍎 Food & transportation for our young cast & crew

Every dollar raised directly funds the film and our youth arts mission.

🧡 The Impact

Your support means:

Arizona youth gain real, professional filmmaking experience.
The arts stay accessible for families across Phoenix.
You help tell an original, heartfelt story about growing up — right here in Arizona’s historic Pioneer Park.

Together, we’re giving the next generation of storytellers the chance to learn, create, and shine.

⚠️ Risks & Challenges

Filming in the desert brings surprises — weather, scheduling, and location logistics — but our experienced creative team has completed multiple short films successfully.
We know how to adapt, stay efficient, and get it done.

🤝 Other Ways to Help

Even if you can’t donate right now, you can still make a huge impact:

Share our campaign on social media.
Tell friends who love indie films, Westerns, or coming-of-age stories.

Every share helps our young artists get one step closer to the set.