Wiseman, Howard M.2017-07-272017-07-272017-04-172017-07-27http://hdl.handle.net/10315/33590Preceding Demons is a psychological period drama that explores the fictionalized relationship between Dracula novelist Bram Stoker and prodigious serial killer Jack The Ripper. Set in the years before both the infamous murders (1888-91) and the novels publication (1897) took the world by storm, this feature screenplay repurposes the Ripper as an enigmatic yet troubled Londoner destined to serve as the primary inspiration for Stokers legendary creation. Best described as a dual-origin story for both iconic figures, Preceding Demons also illuminates Stokers struggles as a fledgling, doubt-addled writer, as well as his involvement with a murder investigation involving the Occult. A confluence of historical fact and bloodthirsty fiction, this work ultimately provides an ominous insight into the dark side of creativity; culled through the emotionally vampiric bond between a tortured artist and his twisted muse.enAuthor owns copyright, except where explicitly noted. Please contact the author directly with licensing requests.Film studiesElectronic Thesis or Dissertation2017-07-27Bram StokerJack The RipperScreenplayMFAFictionPsychological ThrillerDramaHorrorVictorian LondonDraculaVampireHistorical Fiction