The Elephant Man

Title Sequence Style Frames Photography

In The Elephant Man, John Merrick is repeatedly exploited by people who capitalize on his physical appearance, essentially treating him as a spectacle for public amusement rather than an actual human being.

The deformed marionette puppet serves as a haunting parallel to John Merrick, suspended and moved for others’ amusement. In the end, the strings snap and the puppet sits up echoing Merrick’s own quiet liberation.

Style Frames

Light and Color Reference

Rendered in black and white with a subtle grain, the image treatment mirrors the style of the movie, evoking the atmosphere of the 1890s Victorian era.

Mood Board

The scene is shaped by carefully chosen Victorian-era objects such as books, letters, coins, and keys that are intimate to Merrick’s world while quietly suggesting human exploitation.

Process

From sourcing period-authentic objects through online European vendors and the local antique flea market to modifying the puppet’s strings and facial features, the process focused on refining the scene’s character and emotional tone.

Once the scene was arranged and photographed, it was brought into Photoshop and Lightroom for further compositing and enhancement.

Programs Used

Bridge, InDesign, Lightroom, and Photoshop

Special Thanks

Instructor: Daniel Marsh
Teaching Assistant: Sydney Liao

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