"Blood Relations"
Feature Movie Script by Demian
Logline:
A youthful, vegan vampire escapes from the murderous ways of his blood sucking kin. However, he can't hide from the violence, and destructive forces of humans, as he lives through the centuries. He attempts to use his powers to protect the human men and women, with whom he has created families, and grown to love.
A drama, not a horror movie, in spite of being about a vampire.
Genesis of "Blood Relations"
It all started when reminiscing about that old singing round, "Ghost of Tom" (sometimes "Ghost of John"). It's charming, perhaps it would make a swell ghost story. Complete with a theme song almost everybody already knows.
Making a story based on this song was easy, but too literal. Maybe it would have made a cute Puppetoon. Now, all that remains of my original story is one location, the swamp, and the name "Tom."
As the idea continued to ferment, it seemed reasonable to ask "How did Tom become a 'ghost?'" Clearly, he had to be killed. What better "death" than by vampire? They'd be better for dialogues. Vampires are way more chatty than ghosts, which are usually relegated to table knocking, and throwing precious objects across the room where young girls declare "They're heeeeeere."
So often, once a character is formed, they dictate the story that should be told. My Tom is very polite and kind, which didn't stop him from insisting on how his life should unfold. Since he was raised on a farm in Córdoba, España, in 1814, his name had to be changed to Tomas, and he becomes expert in natural farming methods.
Research was needed, because the action takes place in different eras locations. After collecting data, two real people struck me as worthy of being portrayed. Dr. Jean-Baptiste Sarlandière, in Paris, France in 1825. He's the first to combine Asian healing needle techniques, and the new science of electrical energy. And Charles David Orchard, worked for 50 years as an amateur archaeologist. He sought native history and artifacts in San Antonio, Texas in the 1920s. His research was invaluable, recording information about earlier cultures.
Research was also done for the science discussed in Tomas' school classes. He talks about the Monarch Butterfly's place in the ecosystem, and sustaining the balance of nature. The Monarch is also woven into the story's theme.
The Moorish-influenced Spanish guitar music influenced my writing. Especially the piece titled "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" (Memories of the Alhambra) by Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909). While this composer was around later than Tomas, the beautiful, achingly sad, melancholic, and yearning music encapsulates Tomas' life.
Ultimately, instead of yet another scary vampire story, "Blood Relations" became an exploration of tragedy and compassion, with aid from one's family, and a little help from one's friends.
Demian, 2022-11-30
