Creature of the Dark Night

(Left to right) Max Schreck as Count Orlok  and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen

Over the years, the appearance of a vampire has changed drastically in films. In 1922, the vampire in the classic silent film called “Nosferatu” was far beyond disguising himself as a human. The vampire, Count Orlok, had claws, pointy ears, dark circles around his eyes that made them pop out, two shark-like fangs in the front, and a long dark cloak. Not exactly the dreamy vampire Bella Swan would see herself to be with as oppose to Edward Cullen in the “Twilight” films. The only common characteristic between vampire’s in films then and now would be the pale white skin and keeping the tradition of fangs (but with slight changes in multiple films).

(Left to right) The cast from "The Lost Boys" and Kiefer Sutherland as David

In the 1987 film called “The Lost Boys,” the vampires appeared as teenagers. When the group of teenagers were provoked the form of their faces changed, especially above the eyebrow line and down towards the nose (created by a prosthetic). The makeup designer for the film, Greg Cannon, left a good impression with his work that he was recommended for the film “Blade” in 1998. Cannon’s work can be seen in many films, including “The Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.”

A scene from "Daybreakers"

A new feature shown in vampire films now is colored contact lenses. One of my favorite films, “Daybreakers,” revolves around a society full of vampires. The gold-colored contact lenses seen throughout the film brings out the creature inside the human without having to place a lot of makeup on the characters.

Another scene from "Daybreakers"

In “Daybreakers,” two types of vampires were shown. The vampires appeared to look as humans but if they were deprived by blood, they would permanently transform into a bat-like creature. The process of the creature was made out of a full body prosthetic, which included wings.

Throughout the vampire movies I’ve seen, many directors have had a different vision upon the monster. The goal within most vampire films now is to create them as more terrifying beyond anyone’s imagination.

*Photo Cite/ Also, click on photos*
http://explore.bfi.org.uk/sightandsoundpolls/2012/film/4ce2b74e11d41

http://www.moviefanatic.com/gallery/kiefer-sutherland-in-the-lost-boys/

*Top Vampire films*

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1855035,00.html