The first feature from Zoned In Productions, Night of the Chihuahuas is a witty send up of action and horror films combining thrills, chills, and an army of bloodthirsty Chihuahuas!
Filmed using the Canon XL1S high-resolution digital video camera on a budget of $5,000, the film’s writer/director David Quiroz, Jr. enlisted the help of local actors as well as several willing (and a few unwilling) friends and family members into Team Chihuahua. Each member of the team helped out doing whatever the scene called for at the time. Actors who weren’t on screen at the time would handle lighting equipment and help out in special effects.
Principal photography started on March 16, 2003 and went through May 21, 2003. Filming was done mostly during the weekends and occasionally on weekday nights when schedules permitted. The sequences filmed in the desert and at Dale’s mobile home were filmed over two separate weekends in Marana, a suburb of Tucson. With the entire team and their lighting equipment inside, the trailer became unbearably hot. Once the sun set and filming was moved outside, the sweat-covered team was met with the chilly air of the desert night. Luckily nobody became sick and the sequences were shot without any major problems.
The majority of the film takes place at Mayor Sanchez’s house, in reality the house of the Flores family, friends of the film’s co-producer, Ita Udo-Ema. The family allowed the film crew complete access to the house for the months of April and May of 2003 with the understanding that filming was to be completed by 10:00pm on weeknights. Team Chihuahua avoided the horror stories sometimes associated with locations, although one of the more provocative scenes of the shoot coincided with a visit from the parish priest to the set. Thankfully his English was minimal and the Team filmed around him.
Three separate gas stations in three different cities were used for the gas station in which Leon first encounters a Chihuahua. The Team had hoped to be able to use one gas station but because they couldn’t pay to shut down a location for the amount of time needed, they had to film around customers’ interruptions.
They were able to find a restaurant that would be suitable for both the interior and exterior shots. Espinoza’s Mexican Restaurant in Chandler, Arizona fit the bill for the small town diner (despite being located next to the Chandler Fashion Center mall). Team Chihuahua came in when the restaurant was closed to avoid any customer interruptions. For the army of Chihuahuas, the filmmakers were able to use a local Chihuahua breeder who was friends with the Assistant Director’s mother. This contact would prove invaluable, for although the dogs were untrained they proved to be surprisingly easy to work with. What the production of Night of the Chihuahuas lacked in budget, Team Chihuahua made up for with innovation and dedication. The result is an achievement in independent filmmaking that stands out amongst its peers and is sure to entertain.