Five Vampire Concepts Up for Grabs

With people looking for original vampire stories all the time, one public service would be to provide some. The following might not be completely original, but none as far as this author is aware has been the basis for a film or a t.v. series. Not even once. Offered with no strings attached to anyone who wants them. All rights on the ideas are waived. No compensation is requested or required.

Mind you, given the opportunity I might use one or more of these myself…

Vampires Are Angels. More than one person has described Anne Rice’s creations as very much like sad, forsaken angels that walk the earth. But as far as I know, there aren’t any films or t.v. series with the premise that the undead really are fallen angels. One can easily build this up from the apocryphal tales of the Grigori (the Watchers), a type of angel who lusted after human women and had children by them, named by others the giants. Perhaps these giants have descendants, the only persons whose blood is fatal to these fallen angels. Imagine what it would be like to discover this about yourself? For that matter, what might these blood-drinking Grigori be like? The “Prophecy” films certainly presented an interesting take on angels as characters, as has “Supernatural” and others.

Hunters After Evil. Plenty of vampire detectives. Nick Knight. Angel. Mick St. John. Henry Fiztroy. Even Bill Compton. But what about a vampire who literally goes around looking for dangerous, evil humans specifically to kill and feed off of them. Such was a premise behind Rice’s Lestat, but that idea never made it onto screen. Likewise Edward Cullen maintained that was something he did for awhile but it paled. Yet if the series “Dexter” is any indication, the idea has enough legs to go on a marathon or two of its own. This would presume the vampire (or vampires) in question either care about humans or perhaps see this as a way of staying invisible. Or both. Maybe they form an elite, super-secret squad within the FBI? Lots of possibilities there, especially in the process of deciding who gets devoured.

Dystopia With Fangs. This one has almost been explored in films like “I Am Legend”. Take a page from George Orwell and imagine a world where vampires have taken over. Not that most people in the world are vampires themselves, but rather they are the ones with all the political power–an undead ruling class. This could take place in the near future, or maybe in a slightly alternate history (maybe the vampires were frightened enough by the Cuban Missile Crisis to stage a world-wide coup). Either way, the stories could focus on a band of freedom fighters (Luke Skywalker anyone? Robin Hood?) who seek to bring down this (literally) bloodthirsty regime. The exact tone covers a spectrum from “Star Wars” to “V for Vendetta” and from “Hogan’s Heroes” to “Blake’s Seven.”

The Renfield Chronicles. Suppose a certain family was “chosen” by one or more vampires to be their servants over time. Maybe their own mortal descendants. In return for supernatural protection and help, probably including wealth and freedom from predation by other undead, this family has had to act as assistants, court jesters, procurers, legal staff and clean-up crews for who-knows-how-long? Now comes the story of at least one person who wants out of this Faustian bargain. Consider the story possibilities with such a premise, especially if aiming for ongoing drama rather than quick resolution. Imagine for example if the Collins family in “Dark Shadows” all knew Barnabas to be a vampire and were at his beck and call, determined to keep his secret at all costs?

My Favorite Vampire. Easily comedic, or perhaps dramatic. Maybe both. Take someone relatively ordinary but for some reason out of sync. Not unlike Leonard on “The Big Bang Theory” or for that matter “Ugly Betty.” Circumstances through this person into contact with a genuine vampire, and they become something like friends. Exactly how this would play out depends upon details but thinks of the possibilities. Perhaps our human lead brings out the youth in our vampire–or maybe protective feelings (against their will as like as not). Hiding the vampire’s nature when among humans. Hiding the human’s nature among vampires (or other supernatural beings). Avoiding would-be vampire hunters and/or tabloid journalists. Of all the ideas presented herein, this one most suggests sitcom.

By david

David MacDowell Blue blogs at Night Tinted Glasses.  He graduated from the National Shakespeare Conservatory and is the author of The Annotated Carmilla. and Your Vampire Story (And How to Write It) as well as a theatrical adaptation of Carmilla.

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