Create a spot illustration about how people seem to have lost the ability to feel uncomfortable watching scary films, and so mask that by laughing inappropriately. I had two days from receiving the brief to executing the final idea, and I played with the example of Hannibal Lector (Silence of the Lambs) as a comedian. See my sketches and development below.

I presented two ideas, one with Hannibal in his mask as a clown, and one with him as a comedian

Idea 1

The editor selected the “killer comedy” idea.
I added a halftone effect to add texture, and lengthened the illustration to their requested dimensions.
I then presented them four options to choose from, from which the final was selected.