Research

Vampire Research; The history of the Vampire. - Sci

Creating a new Vampire Film idea is hard, because everything has already been done.
So I'll have to brainstorm. And brainstorm hard.

First, I'll start with a simple question.

What is a Vampire?

This handy video was borrowed from Animal Planet.  It leaves me wondering why Animal Planet is making Vampire Documentaries, but I feel this video is quite handy in explaining the brief history of Vampires.

When most people think of Vampires... Well, most respectable people, they will think of Count Dracula. Dracula is the archetype Vampire.
There have been many portrayals of Dracula, from Nosferatu (1922), to Hotel Transylvania (2012).

Left to Right: Max Schreck as Dracula in "Nosferatu" (1922),  Bela Lugosi as Dracula in "Dracula" (1931),
Gary Oldman as Dracula "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (1992),
and an Animated portrayal of Dracula from "Hotel Transylvania" (2012). 

While Count Dracula has been portrayed in different ways through the years, the whole Vampire shtick
has drastically changed since Nosferatu.

Top Left to Right: Count Von Count (The Muppets), Dark Shadows (2012), Sparkly Edward (2009), Lost Boys (1987)
Bottom Left to Right: Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), Let Me In (2010), Kuroneko (1968), Thirst (1979)

The Vampire image has changed drastically over time, but also through different cultures. The last two images, at the bottom right, are Vampire Films from the east, where the mythology surrounding Vampires is quite different, and so the movies are quite different also.
藪の中の黒猫 (Yabu no Naka no Kuroneko, or Kuroneko) is a 1968 Japanese horror film. It brings Japanese mythology and beliefs, into this Vampire-esque black-and-white film. Though the Vampires are technically not Vampires, they are beautiful undead women, who seduce men, before ripping their throats. Very Vampire-esque. 

But from all of these examples, we can see patterns. There are certain aspects that all, or most Vampires have. So, I'll make a mind-map of what I know about Vampires. 

Though some aspects have been quickly forgotten, and some have been overlooked, this is essentially the image we picture when we hear the word Vampire. 
Regardless of whether they burst into flames in the sunlight, or merely sparkle, we can all agree on these characteristics of a Vampire.

So now that I have a firm grasp on what a Vampire is, I can move on to my own movie pitch.

What kind of movie do I want to do?
Where will it be set?
I don't know. I'll make a mind-map. I love mind-maps.

Right, so now I have a rough, and very basic outline of possible directions I could go in.
But, I couldn't possibly do a Romantic Vampire movie, as it is clichéd, and would be immediately compared to Twilight.
I also dislike Romances. They're cheesy and gross. But that's not important. 

Also, a Horror film, set in Spring or Summer, feels out of place. Winter or Autumn would suit the genre better, as the cold and stillness of these seasons give a spooky atmosphere.
Also, Vampires are expected to be Cold and Pale, like the weather in autumn/winter. Along with this, Vampires cannot endure in the sunlight, and are known to be nocturnal, so the lack of sunlight in the winter/autumn months, and the longer nights make it the ideal setting for Vampire attacks.

I've decided having two protagonists is always more fun than having one, as the interaction between the characters provides comedy. If one of the characters is a Vampire, and the other is human, the difference and possible conflict between the characters will keep the audience entertained.

I've borrowed some elements and ideas from other Vampire movies, for example:
- The concept of there being a Head Vampire, mentioned in "Lost Boys".
- The two protagonists, like in "Vampire in Brooklyn", also a Human and a Vampire working together.

During the film, I will reference a number of different Vampire movies. For example, I would like to make a tribute/parody of the iconic shadow scene from "Nosferatu".

Sites Used:
- IMBd: 70 Best Vampire Movies - a list by pisces19 …   http://uk.imdb.com/list/F1w6m2-kN9k/
- Text 2 Mindmap - http://www.text2mindmap.com/

___________________________________________________Music of Vampire Films - Sci___ 

The Soundtrack is hugely important in any kind of movie, especially horror, as it aids in building tension and atmosphere. While mise en scéne is relied upon for this, music also brings incredible emotion to a scene. The simple addition of an extended chord on strings can help build a great feeling of suspense. 

Here I've made a mindmap-- God, I love mindmaps-- Of musical elements typically expected in the Vampire horror genre.
Since I'm being left responsible for the Soundtrack in the movie, and I'd quite like something a little more original than a reusing of another movie soundtrack, I'll need to analyse the musical conventions of successful musical scores for Vampire Movies.

Undoubtably, Bach's Toccata and Fugue is widely recognised the anthem of Dracula, the most known of all Vampires. What makes this song so iconic?

Since Toccata and Fugue is not an original film score, it was not composed specifically for the genre, but I can still observe the elements that made it suitable for the genre.

Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. 

- Most obviously, the use of the Organ. Gives a classical, religious atmosphere, typical of churches and cathedrals. Also gives a very aged, and traditional feel. The deep sound of the instrument, and the tremendous bass of the deeper notes can shake the audience. 

- Minor key. Though not completely necessary, minor key can aid in the solemn, cold feeling of the music, and atmosphere. It gives the music a sadder tone, rather than the cheery tone of major keys. 

- Intentional use of discords. Can startle the audience, and invoke strong reactions. The occasional discord can be the signifier that something has, or will go terribly wrong. 

- Frequent changes of tempo and volume. The building up of volume towards the beginning gives an effect of building tension and stress. The constant changes will illustrate different actions and emotions. This trait is typical to most, if not, all film scores of the Horror, Thriller, or perhaps all movie genres. 

Libera Me (Original Score for Interview with the Vampire, composed by Elliot Goldenthal).

- Not unlike Bach's Toccata and Fugue, the influence of Religious music is clearly apparent. A choir of boys chant the lyrics, once again, it gives it a very aged, traditional feel. Also the use of Latin lyrics adds to the religious theme, and adds mystery to the meaning of the song. Also there is less focus on the lyrics, and more of the emotion and beauty of the voices and music. 
- Once again, the use of minor key gives a sad and cold atmosphere. 
- Use of Violins. Creates a classical and suspenseful mood. 
- Slow tempo. No percussion. Gives a cold, sad feel. 

-Sci

______________________________________Director's Research; Tony Scott - Harpreet & Manisha

By Harpreet and Manisha.
________________________________________________Movie Analysis; The Hunger - Harpreet


The conventions we usually expect to see in a horror movies are things such as; darkness, halloween, sleepover parties, murders, blood, knifes and something thats supernatural.
 Media shows the convention of 'darkness' by having low dull lightings to give the atmosphere and cold and empty feel. They use props such as fake blood, and knifes to imply the scene of a murder.

Horror/triller vampire movies, the conventions we see crosses- religion ( projects from the evil)
capes, fangs, locations such as; the forest. seeing these in a scene, would automatically imply to the audience that this is an vampire movie.

The conventions used in this movies opening scene tells us that this is a vampire movies. we see a cross which is crafted in a shape of fangs to kill its victims. And as the men in the club brings his jacket up in a way which looks like bat wings, it suggest to us that he may be the vampire.

________________________________________________Movie Analysis; The Lost Boys - Manisha

 

In the opening sequence of 1-2 minutes of 'The Lost Boys'; the scene starts with very dark lighting and moon shining on the water through a tracking shot which also eastblishes where we are. We then see a birds eye view shot of the theme park denoted by the ferris wheel and rollercoaster. Then it is cut 's to the merry-go-round where we see dark misty fog and suddenly the dark character appears. This mistyfying fog brings a tense atmosphere which is one of the main conventions of horror films.
Due to the fog, we know he is the bad character or mysterious especially because the people around the ride or on ride can not see him and the shot is shown in slow motion which suggest that he was very fast and people around the theme park won't be able to notice the presence of him.

The second scene is shot in day light and the camera focuses on the one car in particular which tells the audience that they are the main character of the movies or has big part in the movie. People, time of the day and weather shown in the scene tells that it is the summer time and with summer mood becomes active, this however could perhaps represent horror in 'normal' places, another convention of horrow because this makes it realistic and scary.

Then there are shots of the people on the street shown in the movie to be smoking, wearing hoods, in gothic clothing, hanging around which alerts the audiences of the area being dangerous, as street people are connoted to be dangerous because of their appearance to the public. This shows the social relations and shows the target audience of the movie.

First thing that appears on the screen it the name of the name of the distribution company logo, then in the establishing shot the production name appears on the screen, then the director's name which can be financial support for the producer if the director is famous or well known, then comes the title of the movie and then after the theme park scene all the stars and crew names appears which show the importance of the them park and role of the theme park in the movie.

- Manisha
__________________________________________Movie Analysis; The MASK OF SATAN -Manisha 

mask of satan 1960 

The 2mins opening scene. Analysed  
  

Starts with the fire close up and then zooming out and camera moving to right to get the establishing shot, all that is shoot in one shot. Sconed scene is back to fire close up shot to show the iconograghy of the burning metal rod. Third scene is a medium shot of the person walking with the hot metal rod ahead to pring the symbol on the womans back. forth camera shot is very short which is a wide shot when men is pointing to the woman. fifth shot is the mens moving towards the woman with the hot metal rod and the another wide shot of the person who was pointing at the woman and this time standing with hand put front number of shots show the impotance of the person. close up shot of the hot metal rod printed on the back of the woman who was tied up against the heavy wood wall. then the medium shot of the woman struggling to bear the pain than the camera zooming to the woman's face to get the extreme medium shot of her face expression. wide shot of the standing person and talking while others standing with him meaning that they are with him on his side. back to the woman,s face scene and then again to the man with long medium shot this time showing his face more clear than before. medium shot of the statue looking image shown for the first time and it is lied agains the wood wall and the camera is still on the image for quite long time to show the importance of the statue and fore coming movie. then jumps back to the man with same shot and then back to the woman's face with the same shot and then back to the statue or dead body  with extreme close up shot focusing on the mask of the statue or the dead body, these three shots shows that they are or they going to share some kind of  connection in between themselves in the movie.
__________________________________________Mood Board;- Harpreet& Manisha