Zombie research
In order to decide which kind of zombie we wanted in our media product we looked at the way other media products used and develop zombies. We decided to do research on multiple different media platforms, in order to get an in depth and varied selection. The platform we chose were film, television , and video games. We discussed doing research into books but then went against this as we wanted an actual visual representation that we could attempt to recreate, we did however research porducts that had been adapted from books/comics.
1) Films
- White Zombie(1932)
In the film White Zombie(1932) the zombies were something entirely different to what we would typically expect The animated corpses were created by voodoo. In the film lifeless bodies were removed from the grave after burial and turned into what can be be described as mindless slaves who would obey the every order from a human. Another film which uses a similar premise is Revenge of the Zombies (1943).
- World War Z(2013)
A film which has taken a different approach to zombies is World War Z(2013) as it features zombies which defied the stereotypical way zombies are represented. Zombies are typically characterised as creatures that are slow completely unintelligent. However World War Z(2013) gave the zombies the element of enhanced human attributes such as strength and speed. The exploration of these characteristics lead to unique and effective media products that deepen the audiences fear as they would no longer be able to reassure themselves that they would be capable of out running or outsmarting these creatures.
- I Am Legend(2007)
I Am Legend(2007) is a film which features creatures that take an injection that supposedly cures cancer that goes very wrong and ends up transforming them. The film in based on the 1954 novel of the same title written by Richard Matheson. In the novel the creatures are shown to possess traits that heavily resemble that of vampires, this component is toned down in the films. Although the creatures do fear sunlight. However the species the creatures from the film most resemble is zombie. The creatures also pass the disease through bite which in a typical zombie trait. Though the creatures also,similarly to World War Z(2013) have advanced speed and strength though they also have higher levels of intelligence and are even shown to be capable of speech. Although these creatures do not fit the set definition of zombies we thought that this was incredibly effective and broke the stereotypes.
- Warm bodies(2013)
The film was originally a novel of the same name written by Isaac Marion and published in 2012. The film features two different types of creatures one zombie the other skeleton like creatures referred to as 'boneys'. The zombies turn into the 'boneys' with time after their flesh rots away and they are left with a thin layer of skin. These creatures have no compassion, unlike the other zombies featured who do eat humans but understand what they are doing is wrong and feel 'conflicted' about it. The 'bonys' are also faster and stronger than humans. The zombie in the film contrast greatly to zombies in other media as many still posses human traits, such as intelligence and humour. It is also discovered that they can turn back into humans which is a rarely explored concept in the zombie genre.
2) Television Series
- The Walking Dead(2010-ongoing series)
The zombies The Walking Dead(2010-ongoing series) are very simple and basic. As there is only one set of characteristics they possess in the series.They are referred to as 'walkers' and are quite slow and do not have any additional strength. The zombies are not smart but can however smell human, and therefore track them. They are also drawn to sound which means that avoiding them is difficult. The series is based upon the comic book of the same name which was first published in 2003.The series received the 2010 Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series at San Diego Comic-Con International as is incredibly popular. A unique factor of The Walking Dead is the fact that everybody, even the humans have the zombie infection. It just doesn't take effect until you are either bitten or die because of other reason. This is interesting as it means that the survivors will never truly be safe. Even if they are in a perfectly secure area there will still be a chance of a zombie attack.
3) Video Games
Zombies are not only popular in films but also on other media platforms, such as video games.
- The Last Of Us(2013)
The Last Of Us(2013) is the second most popular video game released in 2013. The game starts when the protagonist, Joel, is at home with his daughter and has just learned about the oncoming zombie infection, the rest of the game is set twenty years into the apocalypse. An interesting element to the game, which could have been one of the factors behind its popularity, is that it features different types of zombies which all posses different characteristics. There are four stages to the infection in the game:runners,stalkers,clicker,and bloaters. This adds dynamic and a unique quality to the game as with each different type of zombie you have to use different strategies to survive.
Screenshots showing different stages of infection
Adaptations of The Last Of Us(2013)
The Last Of Us(2013) has also been adapted into a four-issue comic book titles The Last Of Us:American Dreams because of its popularity. The series was written by Druckmann and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks, the publisher being Dark Horse Comics. The comics serve as a prequel to the game taking place a year before the events in the game.The first issue was published on April 3, 2013. Because of the high demand for the comics and the game, the first issue sold out and a reprint was made available on May 29, 2013.
The popularity also lead to talk of a film adaptation. In November 25, 2013, Sony registered a domain name that suggested a film version of The Last of Us might be made.On March 6, 2014, it was announced that Screen Gems will distribute the film version of The Last of Us. Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra, game director Bruce Straley, creative director and writer Neil Druckmann, and Sam Raimi will produce the film. Druckmann will write the script; on March 13, 2014, he confirmed that the film will be based on the video game storyline.
The popularity also lead to talk of a film adaptation. In November 25, 2013, Sony registered a domain name that suggested a film version of The Last of Us might be made.On March 6, 2014, it was announced that Screen Gems will distribute the film version of The Last of Us. Naughty Dog co-presidents Evan Wells and Christophe Balestra, game director Bruce Straley, creative director and writer Neil Druckmann, and Sam Raimi will produce the film. Druckmann will write the script; on March 13, 2014, he confirmed that the film will be based on the video game storyline.
- Call Of Duty:Black Ops(2010)
Call Of Duty:Black Ops had been an incredibly successful game, one of the reasons being the option of choosing the zombie mode. The popularity meant that within 24 hours of going on sale, the game had sold more than 5.6 million copies, 4.2 million in the U.S. and 1.4 million in the UK, breaking the record set by its predecessor Modern Warfare 2 by some 2.3 million copies. After six weeks on release, it was reported that Black Ops had exceeded $1 billion in sales.On August 3, 2011, it was confirmed that the game had sold over 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling games of all time in the US, UK and Europe. This lead to a sequel, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which was released on November 13, 2012 which also featured zombies. It is also rumored that the third Black Ops will also have zombies. This also lead to the Call Of Duty:Black Ops:Zombies(2011) game spin off.
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