News Release
Course to Examine the Bloodsuckers of Hollywood - Vampires
(October 14, 2009) -
Just like their subject matter, movies about vampires just never seem to die. This year is proving that true with several vampire movies set for release in the next month, from the next "Twilight" movie to the comedy "Cirque du Freak: The Vampire Assistant."
That's because the films about the mythical undead creatures also share an ability that vampires have - they can take on many forms, from horror films to romantic dramas and even to goofball comedies, said film and literature professor Amy Smith. The many variations of vampire flicks will be explored during a two-day course offered by the Center for Professional and Continuing Education at University of the Pacific on Dec. 5 and 6. The course, titled "Living Dead: Vampires in Film and Fiction," is open to the community and can be taken for college credits.
"The vampire has really resonated in film and literature because the vampire is probably the most sinister and yet human-like evil creature in modern literature," Smith said. "They look and act like humans, which allows them to live among us and trick us into becoming victims."
Vampire films have been around since the earliest days of Hollywood, she said, from 1922's "Nosferatu" to Bela Lugosi's "Dracula" films during the '30s and '40s all the way up to the angst-ridden vampires of "Twilight." San Joaquin County even had a role in the vampire craze, with the '70s show "Night Stalker," featuring Stockton-area native Darren McGavin.
"The vampire genre has taken a lot of different twists and turns. There were the blaxploitation films where African-Americans were cast as vampires preying on urbanites," Smith said. "Those eventually led to the 'Blade' films where vampires would become action heroes. Plus you have the vampire comedies such as 'Love at First Bite' and 'Dracula: Dead and Loving It' - and even vampires appearing on 'South Park' and 'Sponge Bob.'"
It's estimated that nearly 1,000 vampire films have been made in the past century, Smith said. It isn't just a European or American film trend either. Films about vampires have been made in Japan, Africa, India, China, Central America and South America.
The class will look at the many variations of the vampire film and will include watching several vampire movies. The courses will be held Dec. 5 and 6 and can be taken for one college credit. The cost is $158 for those who register for the college credit, $100 for those who wish to take the class but do not need credits. The pricing structure is for this course only and does not apply to other CPCE classes. Those who wish to register for the class can do so up to Dec. 4. The registration form for the course can be found online at http://web.pacific.edu/x31269.xml. Registration also can be done by phone by calling 209.946.2424.
