 Tom Savini (qv) was originally hired by  George A. Romero (I) (qv) to do the makeup effects for this film.  The two were first introduced to each other when Savini auditioned  for an acting role in an earlier film that never got off the ground.  Romero, remembering that Savini was also a makeup artist (he had  brought his makeup portfolio to show to Romero at the audition),  called Savini to the set of his horror movie. However, Savini was  unable to do the effects because he was called to duty by the US  Army to serve as a combat photographer in Vietnam.