Monsters!

     Monsters have always held our attention, whether presented by a storyteller, upon the written page or upon a screen.  Homer's Odyssey featured various horrific creatures, most notably the Cyclops which had a hankering for human flesh.  Other monsters like werewolves and vampires have invaded our nightmares in various forms.   Scientists such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein have sought to learn life's mystery by mastering science with frightening results.
     And then there are those walking horrors so popular on TV of late - zombies.
     Just because a guy gets his face covered with latex and drenched with fake blood to roam about in search of brains, he's automatically labeled a zombie enthusiast and expert.  I must admit that I approached appearing in Trailer Park of the Living Dead with a limited amount of zombie knowledge.  I had watched the classic vintage version of Night of the Living Dead but had not seen most of that film's sequels or the more modern renderings like 28 Days Later, in which I believe zombies have actually sped up quite a bit.  In fact I confess that of the usual lineup of iconic horror characters, my preference lies with those fun fanged denizens of the night - vampires!
     Both vampires and zombies have their fair share of the horror market and fans' hearts - as well as their throats or brains.  I've gotten to play a vampire briefly in Mortal and have stumbled around as a zombie in a few low budget pictures.  I thought I might indulge in a comparison in honor of the approach of Halloween - the holiday when everyone enjoys hearing of or dressing as monsters. 

1.  A Horrific Heritage - For far reaching historic and global folklore, the vampire seems far ahead.  Some point as far back as the biblical Lilith for the vampire's bloody origins.  Plus thanks to Bram Stoker and Dracula, the vampire has a far loftier literary heritage.
WINNER - VAMPIRES

2. The Confidence Factor - Gotta go with zombies on this one.  Ever heard of a zombie questioning its existence or trying to blend in with humanity?  Hell no!  They just want to eat your brains and make no excuses for it!
WINNER - ZOMBIES

3.  Masters of Movie Mayhem - Both Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee made impressive Draculas.  There are few films as atmospheric with creepiness and chills as the silent Nosferatu.  This vampire was hideous to look at, a far cry from today's pretty boy bloodsuckers.  The zombie has also undergone quite a few cinematic makeovers, starting with White Zombie...hey here's Bela again!  But it was Night of the Living Dead that took the zombie from labouring mindlessly at home on a plantation and gave him an appetite for freshly freed organs.  Night of the Living Dead really renovated the whole zombie myth and released low budget movie makers' most graphic dreams.
DRAW

4.  Convention Fun -  I'm no stranger to horror cons, and it seems that the zombie isn't either!  I've seen tables touting the chance to have your picture taken with a zombie, the opportunity to have your zombie portrait drawn, and even been given a zombie survival packet.  I always see a few bloody zombies wandering about.  Course maybe the vampires are just blending in...
WINNER - ZOMBIES

5.  TV Terrors - While The Walking Dead is currently very popular on TV - Vampires seem a lot more active in this field.  TV vampires range from Dark Shadows in the 60's to Buffy to Tru Blood.
WINNER VAMPIRES

6.  The Better Role - This is my favorite category, where I get to plug the two films I acted oh so briefly in.  After the application of latex to my face to give me ghoulish good looks and being soaked with red liquid to prove I meant bloody business, I was ready to join the zombie horde in Trailer Park of the Living Dead.  I'm not sure that I can say that it was a meaty role, but the character certainly was fond of meat as he wandered through woods and pursued an ice cream truck more interested in its drivers then its frosty treats.  There were plenty of victims and organs available for a zombie to indulge in on the set as you get in the zen mindset of a walking monster whose only desire is to satisfy his horrible hunger to the tune of his own growl.  Of course once you're out of that mindset and character there's the cleaning up to do.  A lot.  I think I had a bright pink under my fingernails for a week after the first shoot.  But I've learned that dial's glycerine based soap are a wonder for removing fake blood, so I am wiser now.


Director Kat Lehmer & I on the set of Mortal.

For my vampire role in Mortal, there was no such makeup concerns.  In fact the sole wardrobe instructions were to wear black.  And there was no mindless roaming through the woods, I was on a quite cool set.  The vampire has long been the most talkative of monsters and I was given the challenge of a line.  I delivered it appropriately enough through the various takes.  Okay, perhaps I flubbed it once.
So how do I pick the better role?  I had a great time playing both.  Perhaps I should just wait and see which role I receive an award for.
DRAW









Well I guess my little comparison has ended in draw, meaning I may have a future in politics.







My ponderings on the nature of horror in film, horror conventions and film making are also to be found in my new book Midnight Writings available at www.lulu.com/spotlight/wrigler