fmp1olouisewalker

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Final poster design

My finished poster for my project.

I thought that to finalize and make my poster be more realistic I'd add a release date in a different font and colour to anything else on the poster mimicking what professional movie posters do.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Trying different fonts and finalising poster

'Scream blood'

'Crime times six'

'I still know'

This font was what I found fit my poster best and it was simple yet dramatic and with a gradient overlay i think it looks a bit more professional than just one colour.

Finally, the tag line and extra information

After creating multiple taglines that I could have used on the poster i eventually decided to go with 'Beware the whispering' in a font that looks hand written and across the title slightly making it look like a warning for others. I would have written the words myself but I preferred the cursive writing which I couldn't do myself.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Candyman poster

The movie poster for Candyman (2021) include a deep level of symbolism, reflecting the films themes of horror and urban legend. This poster being one of the most recognizable features the signature hook-hand discretely displayed on the side. The simplicity of the design creates and eerie atmosphere, emphasizing they mystery and fear surrounding the character. The single bee being a reference to the urban legend and reinforces the unsettling nature of the film.

A significant element of the poster is the tagline in bold letters in an eye catching colour. The words 'say it' reference the urban legend and the idea that saying 'Candyman' five time in front of a mirror summons him. The tagline being short and direct creates an immediate sense of dread while also challenging the audience, almost daring them to say his name.

On the poster for my project I like the idea that the tagline is more of a warning than a dare. Although, I think it's smart that tagline for Candyman is a direct reference to the urban legend I Don't think this would work for my poster.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Psycho poster

The poster for the horror movie Psycho features bold typography, high-contrast colours and fragmented imagery that reflect the psychological tension of the film. The image of the hand, often smeared with blood, immediately evokes the infamous shower scene, one of the most iconic moments in cinema history. The stark contrast between the red blood and the muted background heightens the sense of violence and shock.

Somethings else that is noticeable is the tagline presented underneath the title. The words 'check in. Relax. Take a shower' are in a colour that completely contrast the rest of the poster making it stand out to the audience. The words in general are a reference to the infamous scene and foreshadow the event.

For my own poster I plan to use a tagline in a similar way as if it was a warning because I think it will be a nice touch to the poster.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Slenderman movie poster

The movie poster for the horror 'slenderman' seems simple at first but I think its actually quite smart. For example the text relates to the mythology or more the game that was created from the original story which originated as a creepy pasta story

The game (description found on google) - The "Slenderman" game most famously known as "Slender: The Eight Pages" is a short, first-person survival horror game based on the creepy pasta Slender Man. The player's goal is to collect eight scattered pages while avoiding the titular Slender Man, a tall, faceless figure that stalks and hunts them. The game is known for its simple graphics and gameplay mechanics, and it relies on the player's ability to run and hide from Slender Man to survive.

Example of the eight notes that can be found throughout the game. It's obvious to say the text is very similar so this makes me think that maybe I could relate the text of my poster to something else within the story.

Also, the poster uses what I'm guessing is condensation in a window to replicate Slenderman arms as well as the tentacles that Slenderman is sometimes depicted to have.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Deciding a font for the poster

A simple mindmap of a few fonts that I found that may be used on my poster. Though many fit the horror theme I'm following yet the some of the fonts dont work how I had expected them to, but I still plan to try more and find what works best with my poster and the style I'm going for. Also what will be useful is looking at actually horror movie posters and the text they use as there's a large variety that can be seen throughout this genre of movies and there posters.

Out of the six that I attempted to write myself the font I found that fitted the most was the simple font so maybe trying different fonts that fit along this style will elevate my poster and take it further.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Adding texture to the poster

To elevate my poster further I used unsplash to get an image of a texture. so far I've attempted with multiple images that add mood, atmosphere, adjust the lighting and overall make the poster for my project better.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Deciding the title of my project + poster ideas

[fmp1olouisewalker]

CGI and the prop making industry

CGI has been a item used in movie making for decades now originally starting to grow in popularity in the 1990s. Being used in movies like Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) and Jurassic Park (1993). Movie makers continued to use CGI in some of the most popular movies of todays industry but this caused the prop making industry to slump and loose interest because CGI was seen as a more efficient and versatile way to create visual effects and sets, especially for fantastical or impossible scenes. Other reason being the cost-effectiveness in the long run because the need for physical sets to be built were lowered as well as location scouting not being and issue as they could just simply generate a world on a green screen. CGI also enables the creation of intricate visuals and effects that would be difficult near impossible for prop makers to reach the traditional way.

However, problems began to rise with the use of CGI. In essence it's not the actual CGI that's the issue, it's movie makers over use of software and over reliance which start to create a disconnection especially when the CGI is used to replace aspect of environments and sets in film, this can feel artificial and detached from the audience's experience. This can lead to a feeling that the film is lacking in authenticity. All these issues lead the prop making industry to rise after falling drastically from CGI being used in the first place.

A good example of prop making in the film industry being a better path than CGI is Resident evil: extinction.

Although, the debate still stands as a key part is the sustainability mostly from prop making because a common thing to happen is that after a movie is done any props or sets that were made are often created with non-recyclable products such as the paint used or the actual base of the creation are tossed into land fill to never be used again, harming the environment. Personally, I think better ways to dispose of unwanted products can be found and using real props than CGI in movie making increases creativity, authenticity and even creating jobs, things wouldn't happen with CGI. Something to keep in mind is that CGI along with AI is adapting everyday progressing further and further for better and for worst shaping not just the future of filmmaking but also the broader creative landscape, as technology continues to challenge traditional methods while opening new doors for innovation and ethical considerations.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

The effect of the curse

Olivia Jones was just an average 17-year-old girl hanging out with her friends one day. They were messing around in the forest near their town when they realized the sun was starting to set. Figuring they should head home before dark, they started making their way toward the tree line. But just as they were about to leave, Olivia stopped dead in her tracks. She spotted something strange a broken-down building that looked like it had been abandoned for years. After a bit of convincing, Olivia managed to talk her friends into checking it out.

The inside of the structure was a mess. The group started rummaging through the junk scattered everywhere, throwing aside random things they found. There wasn’t much to see, and pretty soon they were ready to head home. But then Olivia froze again—this time, she’d found something incredible. There, in the rubble, was an antique necklace. It had a deep red gem that sparkled in the light, and when she looked closer, she could see a black mist swirling around inside it, like a storm trapped in the stone. Olivia didn’t hesitate she grabbed the necklace, tossed it in her bag, and headed home.

For the next few days, Olivia couldn’t stop thinking about the necklace. It was almost like it was calling to her. Finally, she couldn’t resist anymore and decided to try it on. Standing in front of the mirror, she thought it looked amazing. The metal worked perfectly with her skin tone, and the red gem matched her makeup just right. She didn’t want to take it off. But things started getting weird

It began with whispers quiet at first, like her own thoughts, but they weren’t hers. Simple little things that anyone would simply ignore. Then the torment escalated. Haunting reflections of herself appeared in mirrors, twisted and shadowy, whispering dark secrets. Creatures loomed in the corners of her vision, their forms indistinct but terrifying. Paranoia gripped her, and her mind began to unravel under the weight of Malum’s psychological torture. The necklace fed on her fear, weakening her resolve and leaving her vulnerable.

As Olivia’s sanity crumbled, Malum’s spirit prepared for the final step. The possession was slow and deliberate, taking hold of Olivia’s body and mind piece by piece. When the transformation was complete, Olivia was no longer herself she had become a vessel for Malum’s vengeance, spreading terror just as Malum had done centuries ago.

I decided in the end that I had to include possession ever so slightly as in my opinion writing about an object and its curse just doesn't work that well without possession as it is a classic movie trope. Although, I felt very strongly on including phycological horror to my character so blending the two ideas seemed like the best option.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Backstory of the necklace

In the early 1700s, there was a woman named Malum a name derived from the Latin word for "evil." She was a cold and vengeful figure, shrouded in mystery, and wherever she wandered, a looming black cloud seemed to follow. Malum was accused of countless crimes: theft, murder, and the ultimate sin of the era witchcraft. Known for her spiritual practices, she often held séances in her home, calling upon spirits to enact her darkest desires and fulfill her lust for revenge.

As her power over the spiritual realm grew, it began to consume her soul. Driven by anger and desperation, Malum summoned a beastly elemental a dark, demonic creature unlike anything seen before. Its appearance was haunting: half goat-like with a man's face, towering in stature, yet with a gaunt, thin frame. The creature's hollow, black sockets seemed to stare straight into the soul.

This devilish entity became bound to Malum, following her every step and invading her mind. The elemental lacked a name, for to name it would humanize the pure embodiment of evil. Its constant whispers and relentless presence pushed Malum closer to the edge. When her fury and desperation became unbearable, she turned to the elemental for help. It promised her ultimate power but demanded possession of her body and mind in return. Without hesitation, Malum accepted.

The consequences were dire. Possessed by the elemental, Malum became a vessel of chaos and destruction. A murder spree ensued, with whispers of her crimes being carried out at the devil’s command. Her rampage, however, was short-lived. Captured and thrown into a dungeon, she was condemned by a jury to face execution by hanging a punishment to take place within a week.

In the days leading up to her execution, Malum was no longer herself. The elemental had completely overtaken her, reducing her to a shell of what she once was. In a final act of domination, the creature forced Malum’s hand, driving her to take a blade and end her own life.

But even in death, the darkness lingered. Around Malum's neck was a peculiar gem embedded in her necklace a gem that had turned blood-red. Witnesses claimed that her soul seemed to have been drawn into the gem, which continued to gleam ominously. Theories spread like wildfire: perhaps the elemental had not been banished but had taken refuge within the gem. United with Malum, it now waited silently, seeking its next prey.

And so, the cursed necklace became a vessel for malevolence, passing through mortal hands and spreading its shadow wherever it went. Malum and the elemental were no longer separate they were one, forever bound within the blood-soaked gem, ready to corrupt anyone who dared claim it.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Rendering the necklace with colour

Out of the pictures here my favourites are likely the middle two, as they showcase the necklace most effectively. However, I may need to brighten the images, as certain details aren't very visible. Additionally, I discovered that when rendering, I can save snapshots to a specific file and import them into Photoshop. This allows me to work with a transparent background allowing me to customize the background further.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Modelling the gem stone

Initially, I planned to UV map the oval that was designed to fit into the centre, but unfortunately, the UV mapping process didn’t work out. Instead, I decided to take a different approach to enhance the gem’s appearance making it sharper and more gem-like. I replaced the oval with a flat circle and progressively extruded the faces towards the centre. This technique resulted in a far more striking and realistic gem, significantly improving the overall look of the necklace.

I encountered an unusual issue where the centre faces had extra faces and vertices that I must have accidentally missed while extruding. When I applied a surface to give it a glass-like appearance, a visible cut appeared in the centre. Fortunately, I was able to reverse my actions and resolve the problem

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Practicing Maya rendering

While searching for tutorials on how to create gemstones, I stumbled upon an incredible video about rendering. The video was a revelation it reminded me of the power of rendering in Maya, which I had completely overlooked, and how transformative it can be for my projects.

Following the tutorial, I began by placing a camera and using the "Look Through Selected" option. This feature allowed me to render the scene from any perspective within the camera's view. Then, in the camera settings located at the top of Maya's menu, I adjusted the preset to "1K_square," just as shown in the video. I also switched the render device to GPU to speed up the rendering process a valuable optimization that saves time and boosts efficiency in the long run.

After setting up the camera I placed a light to ensure the scene was visible during rendering without it the render would appear entirely pitch black. I opted for an area light which provided flexibility in positioning. This allowed me to freely adjust the light's placement to achieve the desired illumination for my scene.

Before rendering the image I discovered the option to adjust the "metalness" of materials, which added a metallic and more realistic effect to the scene something I found particularly appealing. Inspired by the tutorial I also experimented with making the gem at the centre resemble glass. To achieve this I applied a standard material and modified the "weight" setting under transformation. However, the rendered result wasn't quite as I envisioned possibly due to the smooth nature of the object. I plan to address this by UV mapping the gem which might help achieve the desired effect in future renders.

(before I applied metalness)

After clicking the render icon, I experimented with various lighting angles to enhance the scene's visual impact for my poster. This process allowed me to fine tune the illumination and achieve the perfect balance for presenting my work.

left-

right-

under-

above-

I plan to explore even more ideas for improving my render. The video later suggested using two lights for contrast which can be particularly effective as well as adding a background as light is reflected and bounces back onto the object. I'll definitely experiment with these techniques to take my project to the next level.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Poster idea

Using a picture of the necklace so far I was able to bring my idea to life and out of my many ideas and counting this has to be the one I favour the most as the simplicity showcases the design but also highlights the significance. I still need to made a few changes as in my opinion the design is quite plain and I do in fact need to model the gem so it looks like a crystal and not an oval as to me in this picture it looks artificial and stand outs in a way it shouldn't.

I found that the burn tool in photoshop helped create a gradient and defined certain areas as seen above But for the proper poster I will most likely put the background in maya first or make my way round getting an image of just the model itself to make editing in photoshop easier and increasing what I can do to the poster.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

Long Legs

Long legs gives the audience phycological affect with the disturbing scenes the movie includes. Although it isn't clear you could say there is a curse embedded into the plot. The antagonist who is obviously affected by mental health issues creates semi-realistic dolls that is then delivered to little girls whose birthday falls on the 14th of any month. The creator of these dolls 'Long legs' places a spherical object into the hollow head which is implied to carry an ominous energy that unfortunately ends up possessing the fathers of the family that the doll is given to causing the father to kill the whole family and anyone inside the home and then himself while leaving a special code on paper that when decoded spells 'long legs'. This case catches attention of the FBI and is given to a fairly new recruit who is almost driven crazy by the case and the life-altering details. Lee Harker then comes to find out the criminal 'long legs' once targeted her and her mother which lead her mother to create a deal in which she would deliver these dolls saying they're from the church putting responsibility of these murders onto Harker's own mother.

The tense and anxiety ridden moments are what I find inspiring when it comes to thinking about making my own plot for what is at the moment a typical horror movie and is what I plan to base my poster off of. Although, I believe that I will head a different direction from possession and more of 'it follows' kind of curse that my necklace will be a vector for.

Also I do recommend this movie and the name being 'long legs' makes it sound silly but Nicholas cage playing the character does a good job at showcasing the mental challenges the character faces which can be disturbing but confusing as a lot of what he does is unpredictable.

[fmp1olouisewalker]

The others film

Plot (from google) - After their father dies, young twin brothers Holland and Niles spend their summer playing around the farm, while their mother hides in mourning. Holland is the more mischievous of the two, while Niles is shy and quiet. Their grandmother, Ada, has taught Niles how to project himself into other people and animals as a harmless game. But when a series of deadly tragedies strike the family and friends, only Ada suspects the truth.

The others bring less of a curse in the typical sense but more of a phycological horror as the film expertly employs psychological aspects to evoke an atmosphere of fear and tension. While viewers are drawn into the illusion of a haunting, the ultimate revelation in the climax ties the unsettling events to the characters' own interpretations and histories.

Phycological horror can be something I utilize in the affects when the character I created for story use only finds the necklace I am modelling. I do like this approach as personally I think phycological horror is more disturbing and can widen the range of what happens to the protagonist rather than a typical curse seen in many horror movies.