Masters Class: Friday the 13th

 In 1980 the world was introduced to a story that would change the history of the horror movie genre forever. A story of a mother’s revenge over the death of her son, a bloody trail of slaughtered camp counselors, and a twinge of the supernatural. Friday the 13th spawned a slew of sequels and more changes than a traffic light. Killers, new killers, new new killers, trips to Manhattan, Hell, and even space. Jason Voorhees has become a heavyweight champion of horror movie slasher icons. He’s racked up a body count that many other horror icons are jealous of, and even stood toe to toe with (and objectively bested) Freddy Krueger. 

This week on the Masters Class I have asked @man_beast_210 and @a.b_photos35 to slash their way through some tips and tricks on creating blood splatteringly incredible shots of Jason Voorhees action figure photography. 

So sharpen your machetes, tighten up the straps on your hockey masks, and get ready to strike down some naughty (likely nude) camp counselors. Because class, is now in session.

 

The Friday the 13th movie franchise has lead to many action figure iterations of Crystal Lake’s prodigal son. What versions have you enjoyed shooting the most for your photography?

AB- “Currently we love shooting our Friday the 13th part 4 the final chapter and just recently the part VII just because on how much detail he has. I would have to say my favorite in my opinion out of the neca line up of him!”

MB- “NECA Ultimate Part 7. The best representation of Jason in figure form in my opinion. The details are incredible!! From his torn tattered clothes to his wet looking rotting flesh, his multiple head sculpts, Plenty of accessories/weapons too!!”

Dark shadows, surprise attacks, low lighting, and ominous scenery have all played a major role in delivering the scares in the Friday the 13th franchise. What are some tips and tricks you can offer to translate those cinematic feels into an action figure photography shot?

AB- “I feel like when your dealing with horror shots less light is your best friend! Especially if you trying to give off that definitely scary vibe to it and just the right angle of the light hitting the figure,props and diorama can achieve that in so many ways I feel like. So I usually like to shot in a very dark room An even to sometimes to I like to picture myself in the situation of the shots and ask myself what would really take part in this shot and what key items would be around in this kind of environment But most important just have fun with it And trust your imagination will take to you to achieve your badass shot”

MB- “Typically Jason kills at night so I guess low lighting maybe one source of light would definitely set the mood. Also the details in the Neca figures don't need a whole lot of light to make 'em pop!”

When shooting a horror shot, in this instance Jason Voorhees, what are some additional pieces aside from the figures you like to include to set the mood of the shot? (ie props, dio pieces, etc)

AB- “Lately been messing with blood effects for him and mostly indoor house items especially pulling off a scene with him chasing or torturing his latest victims in the house! I usually like to toss around some furniture or items that would be mostly on a shelf on the floor to give off that kinda of feel that there’s been a struggle before the shot was taken. And once in awhile I’ll try and use my forest dio for him to along with the tv in the background with a picture of a forest displayed on it. To pull of that forest vibe to it. And if you can get your hands on a mister of some sort you can pull of some awesome fog effects that definitely tones into that scary scene to a shot”

AB’s photo shows his technique of the tossed furniture as well as the intensity of Jason’s strike with a look at both sides of the wall where the machete went all the way through. 

MB- “WEAPONS!! Machetes, axes, spears, meat cleavers, cork screws, screwdrivers you name it Jason has killed with it! But in my particular shot I used blue lighting and his tombstone....(not movie accurate to the figure I used) but I thought it looked cool.”

Man Beast’s shot delivers the fright, just knowing full and well he’s about to come right out of his grave and start taking heads. 

The Friday the 13th movie franchise has spanned over 40 years with many versions of Jason and varying levels of success throughout twelve films. Of the 12 films out, which is your favorite, and which do you dislike the most?

AB- “Would have to say in my opinion

Jason part 4 because that’s one of my oldest first movies that we saw together and he really liked it from there and was his first ever figure that he got to and it really introduced him into the whole line. And man I would have to say Jason x would have to be my most disliked”

MB- “Part 6 is by far my favorite of the franchise. As a kid it  was my most watched Friday the 13th. Its not your ypical slasher movie it had a great story to tell Tommy Versus Jason. Definitely the had best opening sequence! Highest body count, and it had  some of the most unique kills I had ever seen in a movie. I like all of the Friday the 13th films but if I gotta "dislike" one I'd say part 1 on account of it being the one I have seen the least amount of times.”

For 42 years Jason has been one of the biggest (arguably the biggest) icons in the horror genre, in your opinion, what is it about Jason that gives him such longevity in producing fear in the hearts and minds of the audience?

AB- “The appearance would definitely play a big part of it the iconic hockey mask will be nothing more then legendary n will bring no more then chills down your spine looking at him face to face. And just how much of a silent killer he is just adds for a dangerous and very terrifying mixture of a true horror legend.”

MB- “Ive seen enough horror movies to know any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly" A mentally ill boy trapped in a large killing machine! Whats not to like? He's larger than life!”

Is there any figures from the Friday the 13th franchise or any versions of Jason himself that have not been produced yet that you’d like to see made?

AB- “To be honest I can’t say that there’s one that I truly want them to still make. I’m truly happy for what they have got out of him.”

MB- “I believe no one has released a part 8 yet. The accessories alone would be worth it! Fire Axe, Hot Pink flying V Guitar, broken glass shards harpoon gun, Barrel of toxic waste!”

(Extra credit question) This Saturday concludes the Friday the 13th week of #uc_hecktober and Sunday begins “Child’s Play” week. If the worlds of Jason Voorhees and Chucky were ever to collide, how do you think a story like that would play out?

AB- “Lol my oldest said psh Jason would have to just give him one kick of the boot and he will go flying. I will say chucky a sneaky planned mofo so I would love to see the stuff he would pull to try and take Jason out but in the end of the day I feel like Jason would just squeeze the s$&! out of him and do quick work of him haha”

MB- “I'll take the easy way out on this one and say...Chucky transfers his soul into Jason's body while the big guy is taking a cat nap thus creating the ultimate Slasher/Serial Killer of the 80's!”

Thank you for taking this bloody trip through Masters Class: Friday the 13th! Be sure to head over to Instagram and follow both @a.b_photos35 and @man_beast_210 to see more of their incredible action figure photography. 

Next week #uc_hecktober leaves Camp Crystal Lake in the rear view and heads into Chicago where Charles Lee Ray has recently possessed an ever popular Good Guy doll as @h.c._yellowjacket and @mikey_tv_707806 shows the Masters Class the true meaning of Child’s Play! 

Until then, stay away from haunted camp sites. Class is dismissed. 

~The Curator