Titanic The Movie The Play The Poster

After our set of solo character pieces for Titanic, we had an idea for a Titanic advertising image that would totally convey the careful balance of epic theatre, audience participation, and low-budget special effects that make Act/React productions so much fun. Taking imagery from the original movie as inspiration, we put a concept together to be shot on-set at the purpose built Titanic made by the Queensland Maritime Museum.

Sometimes photography is all about problem-solving. My team set up the shot while the cast were getting prepped and ready. We had the lighting and set up all good to go, and most of the cast members on-site… when word came through that due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, we had fifteen minutes to completely vacate the venue. Fifteen minutes!!

Part of our preparation for sessions like this is a detailed shot list, with details of each shot, the talent, the technical setup, any props, and guidelines for the posing and emotional states we want to travel through to give us not just the must-have shots but bonus shots that may end up getting a spot in the final piece. When the time constraint came down, we smashed this shot out (a composite of about eight different shots) in eight minutes flat. Full marks to the cast, who quickly took direction and somehow managed to make breathing space so their characters could explore the emotions they needed for the shot.

UPDATE; This image scored a Silver with Distinction at the 2019 Queensland Epson Professional Photography Awards, and was part of our portfolio as a finalist in the Commercial division.