THESIS STATEMENT: The ability for filmmakers to create zombies on film has evolved greatly over time with the use of advanced make-up applications and computer generated images. ZOMBIES ON FILM Evolution of Zombies on Film Rebecca Gardner Western Governors University Abstract The evolution of make-up techniques and special effects in movies have had a profound impact on the creation of zombies in film. First created with mortician's wax and chocolate syrup, now these monsters can be brought to life with advanced make-up applications and computer generated images. Evolution of Zombies on Film The term zombie is referred to as a corpse reanimated through unnatural means, and in some cases, is usually depicted to have a knack for human flesh (Clute & Grant, 1999). Zombies are believed to have originated in the Caribbean Republic of Haiti where witch doctors revive dead people to do their bidding (Chevallier, 2006).
Within the confinement of these pages I will illustrate what a “zombie” film should and should not entail, and how far the image of the zombie has progressed into our modern day visage of the term. The things that I will be comparing for you today are a few of the classic zombie films such as White Zombie, Night of the Living Dead, Shaun of the Dead and 28 Days Later to the modern day hit television drama The Walking Dead. To have a successful zombie film or show, you must have a great story line, lots of gore, some suspense, and really strong main characters the zombies themselves have to portray a strong character since they do not talk. The very first Zombie movie recorded was called White Zombie and this is the tale of a young woman turning into a zombie due to Haitian Voodoo magic. Now this in comparison is not like the zombie films of today and especially not when compared to The Walking Dead.
Slowly, our society is changing the basic zombie, they still want to consume us, however they are gaining intelligence, thoughts and possibly holding on to memories. Memories could be of previous residence, jobs, possibly names, ultimately making the zombie more human. Through the films of George A. Romero, The Walking Dead T.V. series, and the newer movie Warm Bodies, I will discuss and prove the new idea that Zombies do hold onto some memories before he or she became undead. Two of the best examples of zombies retaining skills from their former lives is brought to us by no other than George Romero.
Jon Manchip White writes, “the Pharaoh who in life was one of the least esteemed of Egypt’s Pharaohs has become in death the most renowned” The discoveries in the tomb were well-known news in the 1920s. Tutankhamun became King Tut, and King Tut became one of the most large-scale cultural phenomena of the 20th century. Ancient Egyptian references became common in popular culture, and "King Tut" became the name of products, businesses, and even the pet dog of U.S. President Herbert Hoover. The fascination in this tomb and its alleged "curse" also led to horror movies featuring a vengeful mummy. Relics from Tutankhamun's tomb are among the most travelled artefacts in the world.
Zombies in popular culture Everywhere we look in the news, media, television, games and in the movies we are seeing all forms of zombies. With the success of television show “The Walking Dead” movies like “World War Z” and games like “Resident Evil” Zombie(s) have become main stream in popular culture (www.esquire.com). Zombie fascination is not new as there are stories and writings dating back hundreds of years on zombies or the undead. The more common reference to zombies is in Voodoo culture where you can raise the dead to obey your commands, be turned into a zombie for crossing a person or be put in a zombie like state and be buried alive as seen in the movie “The Serpent and the Rainbow”( www.imdb.com) . In the movie a journalist is seeking information on a drug that can render a person in a zombie like state where they are buried alive and then emerges from the grave.
Saving Private Ryan: Tribute or Social Commentary? In 1998, movie goers experienced a film unlike any other before it. Five minutes into Saving Private Ryan, theaters throughout the country were put in the middle of the famous D-Day Invasion of World War II. Film maker Steven Spielberg created a war movie with precise detail that allowed people to visualize all of the aspects of war, which include the horrors, the bravery of those involved, and ultimate sacrifice that many soldiers make. Saving Private Ryan became an instant critical and commercial hit in the US, although the success did not come without controversy.
It received several awards for the cinematography and an Oscar nomination for art/set decoration (1979). This following paper will closely analyse a short, famous scene from the movie Alien and analyse the cinematography, mis en scene and relevance of the events to the storyline. It will also discuss those techniques effectiveness in helping to create a sense of fear in the viewer. Alien, released in 1979 still lies among the most popular science fiction horror movies. The American film institute recently declared it to be number 7 in the top 10 science fiction movies ever made (2008).
Is the movie Fido just another zombie movie, or does it have underlying messages about modern day culture? It’s the 50s and a few decades ago, the earth drifted into some “space dust” which reanimated corpses into zombies. The living populace fought the “zombie wars” (the equivalent of our WWII) for survival until an enterprising company called Zomcom discovered a method of “eradicating” the zombies and a method of domesticating them. Now every family has a zombie to be their slave. The movie has characters that represent different groups of oppressed people in the modern world, Fido and the other zombies represent racism, Mr. Robertson represents heterosexism, and Mrs. Robertson along with other females show sexism.
The Conversation is a classic film, one notable for its remarkable sound aspect and themes of paranoia. Both characteristics have been seen over the years in several films subsequent, even over three decades later in a film starring Will Smith called I Am Legend. The reading passages mention that the theme of paranoia is used within the movie, The Conversation, likewise as it is used in the movie I Am Legend. I Am Legend is about a man who believes he is the last human on earth accompanied by the nightcrawlers/zombies, so of course it’s expected that the theme of paranoia would be used throughout the film. The particular scene where the paranoia theme is prevalent is the scene where Will Smith is driving down the street in his jeep talking to his dog, Sam, about his birthday; he looks to his left and he sees a mannequin that he has “befriended” over the passed three years just sitting in the middle of the road, miles away from where it usually is.
Frankenstein Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the classic novels of the 19th century and considered by some to be the first actual work of science fiction. The plot of the story is that an aspiring scientist, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, reanimates a corpse and afterwards the monster takes revenge on his neglectful creator. The books popularity and influence has led to a long string of movies and adaptations. The most recognizable of these films is the 1931 Frankenstein starring the horror icon Boris Kosloff. The director, John Whale, and his staff made several changes to the story in order to create more cinematic material.