In 1967, George Romero and his partners at the Latent Image Inc embarked on a project that they had dreamed of for years - to make a feature length film. They decided on the horror genre and Romero completed a script called Whine of the Fawn , a tale set in the middle ages, only for it to be rejected by potential investors. Latent Image concluded that a more controversial subject would gain a better response.

John Russo, a member of Latent Image, suggested that the partners involved should all put in a $600 investment so that the project could get off the ground. Romero completed a screenplay entitled Monster Flick (later worked on by Russo as well), and arrangements were made to shoot at various locations - primarily an old farmhouse and a cemetary. However, Russ Streiner (who also played Johnny in the film) declared that the $6000 already raised was still not enough to make a feature-length film from start to finish. The team agreed that they would film what they could with this small budget and send any completed footage to potential investors.

The farmhouse was dressed with $100 worth of furniture and various other props were bought. For example the production crew bought two pickup trucks; one fully functional and one that could be damaged and, ultimately, blown up. Production manager Vince Survinski contributed greatly to the look of the film, building the fireplace (which didn't exist), a false basement door and a bridge over a nearby stream so that the cast and crew could get to the farmhouse safely.

Once shooting began, many people in the Pittsburgh area started to hear of the film. This attracted over thirty more investors who contributed a futher $20,000 to the production. With this raised budget, Romero & co were able to finish the movie and edit it for theatrical release.

Night of the Living Dead was shot in 30 days over seven months as the crew was constantly taking breaks for commercial work.