Planning - Importance of lighting

Planning :

Through my research on the importance of lighting, I learned about a technique called chiaroscuro, that is used to "make" a thriller. I found that strong contrasts between light and shadow can add depth and dimension to a two-dimensional image. Allowing the subject to pop out from the background. 

Note: This technique is often times used in horror and thriller films to create mystery, tension and unease.  

What I plan to do :

- Use a small Lego placed infront of a black background

- Experiment with different lighting angles (top, front, side)

- Create contrast between the light and shadow

Note : These are the Lego's I plan to use

This is a picture I took myself of Lego's I plan to use

Why did I chose this setup ?

I chose to use Lego's rather then a stuffed animal because it has clear edges and structure. This will make the shadow more visible. I also chose to use the black background as this will isolate the subject, helping it stand out better.

For this I also chose to use one light source because this will allow me to recreate the chiaroscuro effect, replicating what I researched. 

Using one light source should help : 

- When building tension through shadows

- Create depth in the image

- Look more dramatic

What do I expect to happen ?

When applying my research, I expect:

- The top lighting to create harsh shadows and make my subject look threatening. This should happen because the light will only lighten the top of the body, leaving dark shadows covering certain parts of the face and body.

- The front lighting to minimize the amount of shadows, and make the subject look 2D and less dramatic

- The side lighting to create the most amount of contrast, as it will only lighten half of the figure. leaving half bright and half dark. This could symbolize mystery or danger. 

Expectation :

I expect the side lighting to be most effective when creating a thriller as it emphasizes the contrast and is key to the overall genre.