Research - The Evolution of Fangs

A reoccurring feature among visual and descriptive representations of the Vampire is the fangs. Throughout history, fangs have been a key feature due to them being the tool to carry out the Vampire way of living - drawing blood. In modern day, regardless of the placement of the fangs among the mouth, the appearance of fangs on a human-like form is an instant recognition for the identification of a Vampire. I am going to research into the various placements and use of fangs on a Vampire character through looking at film and television and the approach to this key feature.

Film - Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Directed by Neil Jordan

Interview with the Vampire. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

IwtV: Normal fangs. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

IwtV: Attack fangs. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

In this film, a very traditional looking set of fangs is used when the Vampire is going about it's regular life. The fangs are not too distinctive but are also clearly different from a normal person's set of teeth. When the Vampire is in attack mode, about to or currently feeding, the fangs grow slightly longer, sharper and more obvious in appearance. Although the fangs may appear traditional, a slight double-fang effect is done with a total of 4 fangs, 2 either side which are next to eachother, the inner ones being shorter and less sharp. Although I like this fang concept, I do not find it to be inspiring or interesting enough for me to want to have it in my design although I appreciate that it is both simple and unique.



Film - Fright Night (1985)
Directed by Tom Holland

Amy Peterson. (n.d.). [image] Available at: http://frightnight.wikia.com/wiki/Amy_Peterson [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

Andrew, R. (2015). Fright Night. [image] Available at: http://crypticrock.com/fright-night-a-decade-defining-horror-film-30-years-later/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

In this film, the fangs used are completely traditional in placement, with them being only on the canine teeth in a traditional human mouth set up. In this representation, like the previous film mentioned, there is also a difference between normal and attack Vampire mode. As shown in the image above, the mouth becomes unnaturally wide, and the teeth placement and quality becomes distorted. This Vampire representation is particularly disturbing to me (therefore effective) and likely to require a high set of make-up design skills which would be too advance for me to incorporate into my design at this stage.



Film - Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
Directed by F.W. Murnau

Nosferatu fangs. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

Nosferatu fangs representation. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

In this film, the fang placement is different from the norm. I find this particularly interesting due to the film being so old and yet there is such a big stray from the traditional aesthetics of the vampire. Typically, unique takes on the Vampire are seen in the late 20th Century but comes back around to traditions in modern day. To me, the way in which a fang puncture on the neck is described, it makes an awful lot of sense to have fangs set out this way as they are close together, as described in early Gothic Horror, yet the actual descriptions of fangs are on the canine teeth, which are too far away to create what is described. For this reason I chose this style of fangs for my design after reading early fang puncture descriptions as this is not only unique to typical takes but I also feel it makes a lot of logical sense too.



Film - From Dusk till Dawn (1996)
Directed by Robert Rodriguez

Pinterest, (2015). Snake Vampire. [image] Available at: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/500110733597833327/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

This Vampire adaptation is very interesting as it's a 'Snake-Vampire' hybrid which means that the design for the fangs was very particularly and also very unique. From what I can see, the design has made the placement of the fangs traditional, placed where you would expect human canine teeth to be. But, with this twist, there is no teeth in between, only gums, just like a snake. The fangs are also very long, thin and pointed like a snake. This adaptation makes a lot of sense as the teeth between fangs, as proved by real life snakes, are redundant in design. Obviously, these types of fangs would not have been appropriate as a design concept for my current level of skills, and also isn't necessary as mine is not a snake cross over, but regardless it works well.

Film - 30 Days of Night (2007)

Directed by David Slade

30 Days of Night fangs. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

In this film, as seen, this interpretation includes all of the teeth in the entire mouth to act as fangs. All of the teeth are sharp, but not particularly long. This is because the vampires in this film have a more of a 'eating' type of approach to attaining human blood, rather than simply drawing it with two simple fangs. This definitely adds more horror type aspect to the Vampire, as the conclusion of this type of feeding is most likely certain fairly quick death instead of other traditional outcomes post-feeding. I feel that this fang design is very particularly to the modernism of the film, as well as the individual characteristics of a Vampire here. Although I like this take on the design, it is not someting I can apply to my own due to it not relating close enough to my chosen character.

Tv Series - True Blood (2008 - 2014)
Directed by Alan Ball

McGarry, L. (2013). True Blood Fangs. [image] Available at: http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/missing-true-blood-best-funniest-sexiest-alexander-skarsgard-pictures-from-around-the-internet-finale-spoilers/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

True Blood fangs representation. (2013). [image] Available at: http://thedancingrest.com/2013/07/08/different-vampire-teeth-for-different-movies/ [Accessed 7 Mar. 2016].

In the Tv series true blood, the fangs are typically hidden until it is feeding time. In which case, the fangs retract. Although these fangs are fairly traditional (like most modern day adaptations as stated before), this has a slight difference with the fangs being the next teeth in, the lateral incisors. To me, due to my previous point of the original descriptions of fang punctures being quite close together, this placement makes quite a lot of sense. Not only this, but when the audience sees a Vampire, in his obvious Vampire form, the actors mouth needs to only be slightly open for the fangs to be visible, which is more natural and obvious to show them off. For me, this one a close second consideration for my design approach as the consideration behind the design is one that is traditional, aesthetically pleasing and logical.