The photo shoot I am going to do will cover both images for the magazine cover and the promotional poster. This will help create a sense of branding and ensure the image of the character, May, will stick in everyone's head more. My photo shoot will take place in the studio as I think it will create a more realistic look, and studio images tend to look better for promotion in a lot of cases. Especially with magazine covers as it does not overcrowd or make the cover too busy. I will use a black background for this image as it fits to typical horror conventions and will allow me to blend the shadow into the background better.
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In terms of lighting, I am going to use one softbox shining up from the floor as this creates a lot of shadow as well as a vintage horror poster feel. I will experiment with the intensity of the lighting a bit, making it brighter and duller to create more or less shadow and see which ones work out best. I am also going to experiment with the models distance away from the light source. For example, higher up or further back.
As I want the images to fit the trailer exactly, I am going to recreate the same hair and makeup that was used in the trailer. This includes messy hair, and casual clothing such as a hoodie and plain top. As the trailer progresses, the May's attitude and fear increases as does her injuries. To show that the magazine and poster are clearly advertising a horror film, the models facial expression and body language is crucial. This means I want to capture the same fear that was filmed for the end bits of the trailer, such as heavy breathing, frantically looking around and crying. I also want her to come across as the protagonist as well as the victim, so at the same time she needs to look powerful. In terms of makeup, I will be using special effects makeup to recreate bruises and cuts that are shown in the trailer so that the trailer and still images are visually linked. To ensure this I will be referring back to my trailer so that continuity is kept throughout the process.
I know that the shot types I plan on using will be mid-close ups as that will fit better and be more aesthetically pleasing when on a poster and magazine cover, as well as keeping focus on her face which is conveying the emotion and physically showing the cuts and blood. Other than that, I plan on trying a few different angles and compositions so I have a range to work with when it comes to editing and putting together my poster and magazine cover. One idea I think will work out well is having the models hand over her mouth as if she is trying to keep quiet or hold back fear. I am also going to try out looking down on the model to make her appear more vulnerable, emphasizing the fact she is the victim.
When it comes to editing, I plan on keeping it fairly simple, and I am not going to spend time adding make up and fixing any blemishes as they will add to the tired, scared look I am going for. I will increase contrast and make some areas brighter to stand out more against the strong shadow. I also may as try desaturating the images slightly to see how that would work out.
