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The David Thomson piece was interesting, but in
many respects the MGM he's talking about died a long time before this, leaving
it just as a brand name without real meaning to what the studio used to
represent in terms of its house style. Nothing new there. Do any of the
"studios" now represent what they used to? Warners perhaps comes closest, and
that more by accident than the design of the current studio regime there in
their choice of projects.
As for too many posters today, once the stars
contractual demands and approvals are met (that is, how big the headshot will
be, what side their name will be on, what percentage in size their name is to
title treatment, etc) then they get to something called "design".
Perhaps more tragically, we are also seeing the
Americanisation (or perhaps Internationalisation is a kinder term) of poster
art. More and more the same art is used in all countries as studios and
distributors recognise both economic rationalisation in their marketing budgets
for theatrical, and the perceived need to brand their item with the same key art
right through to the DVD POS materials.
Phil Edwards
Phil Edwards Cinema Arts
26 Vista Avenue
Soldiers Point
NSW
2317
AUSTRALIA
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 8:33
PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] A VERY BIG DEATH IN
HOLLYWOOD
Jeff,
Excellent! If only your post was just a joke instead of what really
happens 90% of the time...
Particularly the bit about the black background posters. I've been
noticing that myself for several years -- a totally excessive use of black (or
very dark) backgrounds on far too many posters, with a serious lack of
imagination in what they plop onto those backgrounds. The same old dramatic
headshots... or else the even more dramatic fakey poses of the
characters (see the FANTASTIC FOUR advance for a classic really poor example).
Not that you didn't have similar head shots and poses on older posters, but
when they were done as paintings or drawings, they were done with more talent
and soul and worked better. The almost exclusive use of photo elements these
days has lead to as long string of boring and look-alike posters, at least for
my tastes. Every once in a while we still get a decent poster out of
Hollywood, but it's been pretty slim pickin's for quite a while.
Or, as John Stewart might say: "Damn you, Photoshop!"
-- JR
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005
12:15
Subject: Re: [MOPO] A VERY BIG DEATH IN
HOLLYWOOD
QUOTE - "To everyone: wanna help the film industry? GO
SEE
MOVIES"
I would if they give me something to go
see....
Hey - I have an idea you know that semi original movie we
made two years ago....you know the one with the same plot as that movie made
in the 30's, then again in the 50's, yet again in the 70's....yeah that
one...well lets make a sequel, we can get that Roberts girl, maybe even
resurrect that Willis guy, add some CG's, get that Woo person to stretch out
the scenes by showing the same stunts from different angles (that's really
cool), add some more explosions, strike a deal with Nike or Coke even both,
Photoshop a poster for marketing - something all black with just the name of
the movie for a teaser, then plop the headshots of stars on the regular
release, run it in 5000 screens the first week, have it go to DVD the next,
create a video game but only for teens (that makes everybody want it) a few
action figures with kongfu grip and g-strings, then put out a director's cut
of the DVD two weeks later, then a special one year anniversary release DVD
with one added scene and an !
audio commentary by the assistant
lighting coordinator. Then, to top it off, take the same plot, tweak
it by a someone right out of high school, add the word Revenge in front of
the title or the new buzz word "Volume" III behind the title, add another
famous good looking actress/actor, who really cares if they can act, along
with the original cast and bingo this thing can go on and on....anybody with
me.
Visit the MoPo
Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
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