What Is "Surf Dracula"? Why Movies and TV Fail to Deliver on Their Premises

Have you ever been watching a TV show or a movie and been confused by the main character? Maybe the gal is supposed to be a doctor, but for some reason, she's never working. So then, why name the show Dr. Gal?

If you feel that in the past, they named TV shows and movies based on what you'd see the characters doing all the time, then you're kind of right. And the "Surf Dracula" idea is for you.

Today, I want to unpack Surf Dracula and talk about how it's affected the premises of movies and TV. And if you have no idea what that means, that's okay. I didn't either.

Let's dive in.

What Is Surf Dracula?

Okay, so the idea for Surf Dracula comes from this very popular tweet from 2021:

As you can see, this tweet unpacks what I talked about in the opening. Back in the day, TV shows would deliver the promise in the title, and then you would get that show.

But now it all feels like these forced origin stories to drag out in the first season or for the whole series, before the character steps into their own.

Why Does "Surf Dracula" Matter to Filmmakers?

Before I answer that question, let's do a little experiment. Imagine a movie titled Surf Dracula. What do you want to see in that movie trailer?

I think most of us would want to see a vampire surfing. Maybe there's a brief story of a surfer who gets bitten by his lover and turns into a guy who can only surf at night.

Okay, well, what if the movie you got was just about a guy learning to surf? And then, at the very end, when he got good, he gets bitten...roll credit.

That would piss you off. You would wonder if the movie delivered what you expected, given the title.

In this context, Surf Dracula is the thing we want, but the "grounded origin story" is what we often get.

And filmmakers should heed that warning when it comes to their specs and pilots. Are you delivering what the audience wants?

Are you fulfilling the promise of the premise?

Lean into your concept!

Use Surf Dracula to Your Advantage

The "Surf Dracula" phenomenon represents a growing desire for pure, unadulterated pulp.

Audiences are becoming tired of "prestige" versions of silly characters. If a character is named Wonder Man or Surf Dracula, the audience wants the absurdity, not a commentary on the absurdity.

Remember Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman? Week in and out, Jane Seymour was saving people on the prairie! That's why people tuned in!

People were not watching her go to medical school.

Surf Dracula has become a rallying cry for movies that prioritize a singular idea over a complex, interconnected universe that needs a ton of setup.

- YouTube www.youtube.com

Summing It All Up

Surf Dracula is all about creative honesty. It’s a plea to Hollywood: If you have a character as cool as a surfing vampire, don't try to make it "realistic." Just put them on the board and let him catch a wave.

And for filmmakers, it's a rallying cry to get out of your own way and to have some fun with your ideas.

Let me know what you think in the comments.