Film Poster- Post-Production Diary

1. H O R R O R F I L M P O S T E R
D A T E : 1 3 / 1 2 / 1 6 - 1 4 / 1 2 / 1 6
Post-Production Diary

2. Photo Manipulation
 Date: 13/12/16-14/12/16
 Upon selecting the main image for my poster
I then moved onto editing this image within
the Adobe image manipulation software,
Photoshop.
 This was accomplished by first importing my
chosen image (image 913) onto a new/blank
canvas. Then, following from this, the first
step was to remove all background elements
of the image in order to only possess the
featured protagonist.
 This was accomplished by using the ‘quick
select’ and ‘magic wand’ tools in order to
select the background elements, of which I
then deleted this selected area. This was
effective in leaving my image with just an
image of Eve, void of a background.

3. Photo Manipulation
 Date: 13/12/16-14/12/16
 Following this, I then formed a separate layer
and, placing it beneath the Eve image, I then
applied the fill tool; colouring the surface
black. This was effective in granting my image
the solid black background that I had decided
upon during the planning stage.
 Following this, I then needed to blend my
image into the background of the piece, in
order to create for a smooth and natural sense
of synergy between the foreground character
and the black background (providing a sense
of realism to the piece).
 In order to achieve this, I used the ‘zoom tool’
to gain a closer perspective of the edges of the
protagonist image, in which I then traced over
the edges with the ‘smudge tool’. This tool
allowed me to blend out the edges of the
image and integrate them into the
background, establishing a sense of unity
between the, previously rather obviously,
separated layers.

4. Photo Manipulation
 Date: 13/12/16-14/12/16
 Upon completing this initial blend, I then
finalised this process by going over the edges a
second time, using the ‘blur tool’. The blur tool
was effective in making each blended line
appear more subtle, forming a natural fade
from the image into the dark background
colour.
 Upon completing this blending process I then
needed to adjust the colour, saturation and
lighting of my image.
 In manipulation colour I used the ‘curves tool’
in which I then decreased the level of red within
the image, whilst increasing the concentration
of green and blue. This change was effective in
draining the warmth from the image, in which I
was then able to form a cold and unwelcoming
aesthetic to the piece (effective in reflecting the
colours applied within my horror teaser trailer;
as well as conforming to the eerie/unnerving
conventions of the horror genre).

5. Photo Manipulation
 Date: 13/12/16-14/12/16
 After applying colour, I then worked on
decreasing the black and white levels within
the piece, this was again accomplished
through the ‘curves tool’, in which I increased
the amount of black and reduced the white
concentration.
 This was effective in darkening the image,
allowing for a deeper correspondence with the
dark black background. This darkness was
also effective in creating for a more
atmospheric piece, in which the surrounding
darkness appears to be entrapping the
protagonist and fuelling her inner torment
(thus effectively conveying my intended
message in regards to the protagonist's
vulnerability to the antagonistic presence
within the film).

6. Photo Manipulation
 Date: 13/12/16-14/12/16
 In order to provide the protagonist with a paler
complexion, connotative to her poor health/mental
degradation, I reduced the saturation of the piece,
making for a more drained aesthetic, effective in
further removing any warmth from the image
(accomplished using the ‘saturation’ and ‘exposure ‘
tools.
 Upon completion, I then finalised my piece by
removing some imperfections form the skin of my
protagonist. This was accomplished using the ‘smudge’
and ‘blur’ tools in which any blemishes were
smoothened out and blended into the rest of the skin,
in order to appear smooth and natural.
 However, regarding some blemishes, such as dry areas
of skin, I decided to leave these unedited, as I found
that these were effective in enhancing the overall
injured and shaken demeanour of the protagonist's
body language and expression.
 Also, in order to emphasise the wounded appearance of
the protagonist I applied the ‘burn tool’ in order to
form an emphasised sense of bruising, surrounding the
application of blood and upon other area of her skin.

7.  The image was smoothly blended into the dark
background using the ‘smudge’ and ‘blur’ tools.
 The desired solid black background was applied, with no
deviations from my original plan.
 Unwanted areas of the background were removed.
 The protagonist’s complexion was smoothened in areas
and made paler; enhancing their ill/weak state as a result
of the antagonist.
 A cold filter, reflective of the colours used within my
teaser trailer, was successfully applied and the image
darkened to smoothen the integration of the image into
the background.
Evaluation- Strengths

8. Evaluation- Weaknesses
 Familiarising myself with the Photoshop tools
created for an initially time consuming process;
cutting into the time I had to edit the image.
 Applying filters does pose the risk of challenging the
overall realism/believability of this image, thus the
balance in which I manipulated colour was
important to consider.
 Blending could have perhaps be finalised with
additional time.

9. Overall...
 This session has resulted in the successful
manipulation of my main poster image,
in which a dark background was applied
and the protagonist successfully
integrated into the darkness. Throughout
this process I used various tools, all of
which allowed me to blend, smoothen
and colour-manipulate any areas of my
piece of which I believed required editing.
Thus, although familiarising myself with
the software was time consuming and
there is the possibility for further
finalising touches (such as additional
blending to the image edges), I believe
this task has been accomplished with
success.

10. Composing the Piece
 Date: 14/12/16-15/12/16
 Upon completing the manipulation of my poster image, I
then moved onto compiling each poster element together.
This was accomplished using the Adobe software InDesign,
within which I formed a new project with a portrait
orientation (as specified by my chosen design).
 Upon opening this project I then used my sketch idea 1 as a
guide, in order to import my edited image onto the piece.
During this process, I ensured that the image was stretched
to the appropriate size, making sure the working space was
completely filled (as to avoid any unwanted blank areas of
my poster).
 After placing my image, I then proceeded to create the text
for my poster. This was accomplished using the ‘text’ tool in
which I typed out all necessary pieces of information upon
separate text layers.
 These text elements were designed upon my sketch idea and
drafted during the planning stage of my piece and consisted
of: film title, tag-line, two critic reviews, billing block, social
media link, film website address, production logo, release
date, age restriction and leading actor name.

11. Composing the Piece
 Date: 14/12/16-15/12/16
 During this process I used film posters that I had
analysed during the research stage to govern and
maintain a conventional sizing to each piece of text.
My main source of inspiration in regards to layout
and font sizing was ‘The Grudge’ poster, which
provided me with a great guide in regards to how to
present my piece. With elements like critic reviews, I
used posters like ‘Dollface’ and ‘Insidious’ in order to
ensure that the text, language and font were of a
conventionally corresponding format upon my
poster.
 Regarding the colour scheme of this text, this centred
upon white and red. Both of these colours were
selected due to their frequent use within horror film
posters, making for a conventional text colour, as
well as the effectiveness of these colours in standing
out against the dark black of my main image
background (creating a vibrant contrast of colour;
forming visual appeal for viewers). When applying
red, this was used as a secondary colour to white in
order to highlight the significance of certain phrases.

12. Composing the Piece
 Date: 14/12/16-15/12/16
 For example the film title ‘Eve’ was coloured red in order to correspond
with the blood upon the character's face within the main image, thus
effectively forming a connection between the character and her name
(thus conveying her leading role within the film). Also within the tag-
line the words ‘Future’ and ‘Blood’ were coloured red. This was chosen
in order to highlight the significance of these two words, by making
them visually different form the rest of the phrase. This is effective in
corresponding with the literal blood within the image, as well as to
convey the danger that awaits the future of the protagonist; thus
conveying narrative hints to the viewer.
 Regarding any effects that were applied, all font remained void of effects
with the exception of the film title, in which I applied an ‘inner shadow’
to the text, having the effect of darkening the outer edges, bleeding
darkened tones into the otherwise vibrant red text. This was effective in
integrating the title more smoothly into the dark background, forming a
deeper correlation between the image and text. This lingering darkness
is also connotative to the foreboding presence of the antagonist, of
whom remains visually void form the main image of the piece, yet it’s
dark effects are evident through the torment of the protagonist. Thus,
forming a greater synergistic flow throughout the piece.
 Additional image elements included the social media Twitter logo, in
order to accompany the hashtag link and the Pragmatic Productions
logo; both of which I imported from Photoshop (after removing any
unwanted background elements), before placing into the piece.

13. Evaluation- Strengths
 All text elements were completed, with the leading intention
of possessing a conventional appearance (accomplished
through the comparison of my own work to film posters that I
had analysed during the research stage).
 Decisions of colour application were justified:
 White- To conform to poster text conventions and provide a visual
contrast against the black background.
 Red- To highlight significant narrative elements of text;
teasing/intriguing the audience. Corresponding with the use of blood
within the image (connotative to danger/threat/injury)
 All content was contained in line with the set margins, and all
white space was filled.
 An effect was applied to the film title, to convey its leading
importance as text within the piece.

14. Evaluation- Weaknesses
 The top left corner of the poster possesses little
content; perhaps appearing slightly empty and off
balance with the rest of the piece.
 The effect on the film title text is not highly obvious
in presence; thus this should perhaps be intensified.

15. Overall...
 Upon completing this task I have successfully finished
my film poster, in which all required elements have been
made and conventionally placed, with my research
applied in order to guide this placement process. Also
colours and text have been applied with justified
deviation, as can be seen through their significant effect
throughout the piece, thus making for a well thought
through product. All of these steps have resulted in the
completion of the first draft of my horror poster. Thus,
although some parts of the poster may appear slightly
empty and the film title perhaps requires further
manipulation, the overall piece follows a conventional
format and has resulted in a successful first draft.

16. Final Steps
 Upon applying each element of text, ensuring that
each was of a conventional size and font when
compared with the horror posters that I have
studied, I was then ready to save and export my
first poster draft.
 This was accomplished by, first, ensuring that
each element remained accurate to the margins of
my poster, and that each element, such as the
main image, utilised the full expanse of the page. I
then made one final comparison to my original
sketch, which seemed reflective of this first poster
draft, with the exception of the addition of critic
reviews, which I had decided to apply later during
the planning stage due to a fear that not all black
space would be fully utilised and thus may appear
empty without this additional text element.
 Then, in completing this final check, I exported
my first draft; in readiness for the receipt of poster
feedback and potential improvements.