Flashback Chat: Zombies
(A Campfire flashback from 2021)
Okay, let's get to what really matters: monsters!
I've been thinking about our conceptions of key story elements, and how there are usually a number of attributes that make those things feel "right" in our minds. Choosing to drop or change one of those attributes can make it feel fresh or original, but drop/change too many, and the audience isn't going to buy in.
So, for a shambling undead example, let's look at zombies.
By my estimation, zombies (the Romero-created zombies that have been around since Night of the Living Dead, not the original Haitian zombie) have the following six attributes.
1) Reanimated corpses
2) Relentless
3) Mindless (or very limited intelligence)
4) Flesh eaters
5) Hard to kill (head shot/burning/etc)
6) Spread by infection (bite/saliva/blood)
So what's interesting is that if you drop one or two of these attributes, such as the idea that they're dead (28 Days Later) or spread their infection through non-bitey methods (Pontypool) they can still feel like zombies.
But we can also tinker our way right out of zombie-land.
Imagine a hard-to-kill undead being who spreads infection through a bite, but is also intelligent and not compelled to chase you. That's a vampire.
Now imagine a reanimated corpse who relentlessly pursues his victims, with limited intelligence and who is almost impossible to kill... but he doesn't eat or infect his targets. You've got Jason Vorhees from the Friday the 13th franchise.
I picked zombies because they're fun, but the same goes for pirates, superheroes, spies, or any other archetypal category. It's even true for food! You can tinker endlessly with a burger, swapping out toppings and types of bun, but if you change it too much you've got a different menu item altogether.
What are some essential elements of the story elements you love, and what happens if you take them away? Drop me a line and let me know!