The visual concept for shooting Yu Linglong's zombie skin had been simmering in my mind for quite some time. Ever since committing to this design, I kept brainstorming how to weave together that eerie Chinese horror aura with the character's distinct in-game presence. Throughout the photos, you'll spot abundant red cords, ancient copper coins, and burning talismans—props carefully staged to amplify this uncanny yet bewitching ambiance.
Let's start with the wardrobe, hair, and makeup from pre-production. The dark blue velvet texture of this costume photographed exceptionally well, especially with the intricate cloud motifs and pearl embellishments gracing the collar and cuffs. To harmonize with the overall aesthetic, my hair was styled into an elevated updo accented with blue feather hairpins, while my eye makeup emphasized sharp contours to channel a cool, aloof allure. Leaning into the undead motif, I deliberately rehearsed poses mimicking joint stiffness tempered by an ethereal, suspended lightness—naturally achieved with the help of physical supports and the photographer's precise shutter timing.
The most painstaking element on set was the arrangement of the red cords and copper coins. To make the tangled lines drape organically, I communicated closely with the photographer beforehand regarding the direction of the threads and the anchoring of each coin, ensuring they trailed and drifted naturally alongside my movements. The floating talismans featured hand-painted calligraphy and talic runes; to evoke a burning illusion safely, we utilized flame-resistant materials paired with digital post-effects. The stone lanterns and red spider lilies beneath my feet were chosen with equal intention—anchoring the lower third of the composition with grounded light and delicate detail while eliminating dead space.
In terms of pose design, mid-air suspended postures were notoriously tricky, demanding concealed leverage points and relentless core tension. To accentuate leg lines, postures were composed with deliberate extensions and stretches, where the interplay between black stockings and thigh garters injected dynamic visual tension. Expression control was equally crucial: conveying an imposing intimidation without turning overly fierce. The gesture of pulling taut a red cord with my left hand not only added kinetic interaction, but also opened up the visual frame.
Post-processing focused heavily on atmospheric lighting. Deepening the background shadows sculpted crisp rim lighting along the silhouette, carving out profound spatial depth. Floating embers and charred parchment fragments drifting in the air were composited in post to seamlessly integrate the environment. The flame glows from the burning talismans were meticulously graded to ensure harmony with the overarching palette. During the studio shoot, to simulate an icy, somber atmosphere, the gaffer paired a cool base light with warm side illumination—this warm-cool chiaroscuro deepened three-dimensional form. The vibrant crimson of the spider lilies and cords popped starkly against the moody backdrop, delivering an electric visual punch. I am thoroughly pleased with the chromatic harmony: navy blue and deep crimson, tied together by subtle dashes of ochre talisman paper, create rich tonal depth.
This shoot was an exhilarating creative endeavor—materializing video game elements into tangible form and building our envisioned atmosphere piece by piece within the studio. From initial prop fabrication to the final master frames, every single step demanded meticulous polish.