Polish Movie Poster Art

I am not polish and I am not at all well versed in the in's and out's of Polish art and design, so bear with me and I hope I won't interpret these incorrectly. The other day I ran across WellMedicated.com, "50 Incredible Film Posters from Poland" and I was flawed.



What I grew up with and what the polish did are so greatly different it messed with (eg. Alien) my child hood memories. The polish interpreted them in bizarre and facinating ways. As you can see for yourselves, left is polish, right is western. I was inspired to learn more and wondered how they came into being?



From what I have learnt (not much out there) Polish film posters were developed out of circumstance. After World War II, Poland turned into a totalitarian dictatorship, a soviet state. The economy tumbled and graphic artists, including well known ones, had to work for the state. Unlike other soviet block countries, Poland was still able to watch US/European movies, but under state owned controlled means. When it came to movie advertising, ie posters, the standard genre imposing, name driven and big heads approach was not imposed. This is because the state wasn't under any legal authority from the west and could be completely ignored.



In a strange way, the lack of legal control and being forced to work for the state conspired to create a free environment for graphic artists. But due to the WWII and living in a soviet block they created posters that were often times deeply psychologically, dark, complex and in some cases tragic. While also exploring the meaning and approach of what makes a poster, a poster. This backwards freedom caused them to create truly original pieces of art.



It's interesting, when you look at a movie poster you understand everything in 5 seconds or less. But you can't say that about these. These posters can be viewed over and over again and you can derive multiple meanings from them. That's probably why many authors can't pin point why they are the way they are. This is wear I could be misinterpreting them myself. But after really thinking about these for a while I've come to believe that the artists understood the meaning of limitation. Through graphic design they were attempting to tap into the fundamental questions of why am I here, what am I doing and what do I want to say. Something we are all trying to figure out.



To see more go to CinemaPoster.com. It's not easy to navigate but has many more posters and talks more about what happned to the Polish poster in the 80s though to today.

The People vs. Jill Greenberg

If you pay me to take your photo, and I then take the photo you don't use and add blood and fangs to it to make a political statement and publish it on my website? How would you feel, how would you react and did I, the photographer cross an ethical line?

My answer is, yes I did. The reason is that you paid me to take your photo and I turned around and purposely tarnished your image.

If I had manipulated a random photo I had come across and I had no relation to you, then it would be deemed as slander and free speech.

But the fact that I was contacted to take your photo, meet you, talk with you, say good bye to you, and then manipulate the heck out of you with social and political statements. Then that's simply ethically wrong. You, your friends and publishers would probably never trust again.

That is exactly what happened recently with Jill Greenberg, the photographer and John McCain, the Republican Presidential hopeful and the Atlantic, the magazine.

The above image is the first image that popped up on her website a few days ago which started the controversy. It all stated as a simple cover job for the Atlantic magazine. They wanted a photo John McCain on their cover and contracted Jill Greenberg, a famous portrait photographer to take it.

According to PDN who interviewed Jill Greenberg she apparently asked McCain to step to the side after doing the main shoot (which she didn't do much retouching on, "I left his eyes red and his skin looking bad,") and asked him to do a quick 15 minute photoshoot. She then took several moody back-lit pictures of McCain using a strobe light being projected from below to create a sinister look creating deep shadows across McCain's face. To this she said mockingly, "He had no idea he was being lit from below!" Something you would see a lot in old 1920s Bella Lugosi Frankenstein or Dracula movies.

After she had submitted the contractually obligated McCain photo to Atlantic for the front cover she then published the bloody shark teeth pic on her website. As you can see she superimposed a shark's mouth dripping blood on to McCain's face as well as publish a new image each day with different captions. One caption read "I am a bloodthirsty warmongerer" and another "I will have my girl kill Roe v Wade", reference to running mate Sarah Palin's anti-abortion stance, and posted them on her website.

When the magazine found out what Jill Greenberg had done they immediately published a public apology to John McCain for the explicit photo tinkering and messaging done by her on their website:

When we contract with photographers for portraits, we don't vet them for their politics—instead, we assess their professional track records. We had never worked with Jill Greenberg before (and, obviously, we will not work with her again). Based on the portraits she had done of politicians like Arnold Schwarzenegger and her work for publications like Time, Wired, and Portfolio, we expected her, like the other photographers we work with, to behave professionally.

Jill Greenberg has obviously not done that. She has, in fact, disgraced herself, and we are appalled by the manipulated images she has created for her Web site of John McCain.

I can understand the Atlantic's position on this and I feel that she shouldn't have taken the job in the first place. By taking the money and manipulating the image she crossed a line.

When PDN asked her whether she had any reservations about taking the assignment she said, "I didn’t. It’s definitely exciting to shoot someone who is in the limelight like that. I am a pretty hard core Democrat. Some of my artwork has been pretty anti-Bush, so maybe it was somewhat irresponsible for them [The Atlantic] to hire me."

Another good point, she's a known hard core Democrat and has ran into controversy before for her 2004 photographic exhibition called, "Four More Years" [correction, End Times], where she displayed toddlers crying at the prospect of a second Bush presidential term. This sparked a torrent of outrage by parents and bystanders that found what she did as cruel and child abuse. Some called for her to be arrested.

Here's how she explains it, "The first little boy I shot, Liam, suddenly became hysterically upset. It reminded me of helplessness and anger I feel about our current political and social situation." "As a parent," she continues, "I have to reckon with the knowledge that our children will suffer for the mistakes our government is making. Their pain is a precursor of what is to come."

Personally I think the pictures stand for themselves and I get the connection. I'm just glad it wasn't any of my kids in shoot otherwise she'd of had a few nasty words from me.

So here we are, she crossed the line and she know's it. At the same time though I can understand what she was thinking, it's like telling a child to not take a cookie that's sitting right in front of her. She never hid her feelings towards the Republican party and she's crossed the line before. At the end of the day shouldn't the Atlantic have taken some of the responsibility. I think it all comes down to this line in their apology:

"...we don't vet them for their politics—instead, we assess their professional track records."

Duh, of course you do! Do ask a thief to hold your car keys?

When you have a moment, take a look at her other stuff. Jill Greenberg is actually a really good photographer and has done some great commercial work as well as some really capturing portait stuff. If you can, use her, just watch out if she asks you stand in front of a low light for 15 minutes.

Looking Out Distractedly by Franz Kafka

What shall we do in the spring days that are now rapidly approaching? This morning the sky was grey, but if you go over to the window now, you'll be surprised, and rest your cheek against the window lock.

Down on the street you'll see the girl walking along and turning to look over her shoulder, and then you'll see the shadow oh the man rapidly coming up behind her.

Then the man has overtaken her, and the girl's face is quite dazzling.

Performance Outdoor

"Guerrilla Marketing" was coined by Jay Conrad Levinson in his 1984 book Guerrilla Marketing as an unconventional system of promotions on a very low budget, by relying on time, energy and imagination instead of big marketing budgets. The term has since entered the popular vocabulary to also describe aggressive, unconventional marketing methods generically. ~Wiki

The above quote from Wikipedia is right on the money as to what guerrilla marketing is when it should be used. But what occurred to me after seeing the pics of the Chucky stunt is how do we clarify this form of guerrilla marketing? So after some web searching I realized that there isn't a proper name for it. Everybody seems to call it by a blanket statement as "Guerrilla Marketing, with people". So after thinking about it I've decided to call it by what it is, "Performance Outdoor". It's a performance and it outdoor signage in a traffic area.

I've seen this done before and it's always successful when it's done with action. When the spectators can watch the random acts of performance people in a creative fashion for a product or a brand, it becomes fun! The spectators expect a pay off which usually relates to the brand. In this case, Chucky's misbehaving in New York Time Square.

The Chucky stunt was done as an inexpensive way to get attention for the release of the DVD. Maybe they hoped to get on CNN, The Onion or whatever entertainment blog sites. Time Square is a usual spot for crazy stunts because of it's great PR appeal: the vehicle and foot traffic, location and local media makes for juicy spot. These types of stunts are perfect for things like a DVD or small business where the client doesn't have the Super Bowl marketing dollars. So instead they throw it in to masks, costumes and extra's and viola! You can see by the pictures that they are having fun, who wouldn't.

A riddle entwined in lingerie

If you like clues and riddles you might enjoy this one. Agent Provocateur a high end lingerie store just released a competition highlighting there new lingerie line, Season of the Witch. Each season they'll release a new line and another riddle to the answer and the clues can be found in this amazing poster. Check out the photo and if you want to see more detail click on the photo and it'll take you to the site. If you think you know it before September 1st, 2009 click here. Here's the riddle:

The angel holds my heart entwined
Liberate my ex valentine
Swallow your fear and live free
The serpant surrounds the clue to me.

Dane Cook's Call Out His Own Movie Poster

When you see a badly designed poster you wince and often times just keep on walking. Sometimes designers or critics will comment on bad it but typically it's not necessary. No point in calling something that's crap, doodoo, not really adding anything new. Well I saw this piece of crap the other day and tried to expunge it from my memory. But one of the movies stars Dane Cook couldn't let it go and wonderfully describes how bad it is. Here's what he had to say on his MySpace Blog. Just to clarify these are his words, not mine and I haven't adjusted or added to any of my own words to it.

Before the downpour let me just say that my new movie, "My Best Friends Girl," is the best / funniest film I've done yet. It's got a terrific cast. Kate Hudson, Alec Baldwin, Jason Biggs, and myself really kicked the funny around. This movie showcases our talents accordingly as it expands on them. It's a fun R-rated flick. An edgy comedy with a dash of romance.

That being said, let me address the fact that although I'm not a marketing major, I have a bit of a trusted reputation after 18 years self promoting. I'd like to inform you I had no say in this marketing campaign, but if I did, things would be different since it is obvious that this poster is boring / odd and has zero to do with the movie I performed in.

Here are a few things that truly blow about my upcoming movie poster to promote the release of the film opening on September 19th:

1. Graphics: Whoever photoshopped our poster must have done so at taser point with 3 minutes to fulfill their hostage takers deranged obligations. They should have called Donnie Hoyle and had him give a tutorial using "You Suck at Photoshop" templates. This is so glossy it makes Entertainment Weekly look wooden.

2. My head: The left side of my face seems to be melting off of my skull. I guess I am looking directly into the Ark of the Covenant? Are they going for the bells palsy thing here? My left side looks like Britney Spears' vagina.

3. The Stare: My character apparently has fallen in love with a strand of Kate Hudsons hair. Kate's mannequin is desperately in love with the inside of my right ear while Jason is half stunned, half corsage.

4. Lips: It looks like I'm wearing Maybelline Water Shine Diamonds Liquid Lipstick. My characters name is now Winter Solstice and I'm a hooker with a heart of gold. Jason is my floral carrying pimp, while Kate is my first trick!

5. Fashion: My character is sporting a very high collar. I mean damn they should be snow capped at that altitude. It's going for the vampire lurking in the castle basement vibe. An Olympic pole vaulter would have a tough go clearing that collar. I'm also able to turn my head comfortably 360 degrees, because I was raised in an abandoned barn by a family of owls.

6. Flesh: It's no secret that I'm more rugged facially due to a drunken visit by the teen acne fairy, but according to this poster I've got perfect porcelain flesh. I look like the fuckin' bathroom floor at Caesars Palace. One of Marie Osmond's dolls would look at me and say "shit ... that guys got flawless skin!"

7. Hair: It's actually a close up shot of Tom Sellecks Magnum P.I. mustache they photo-slapped on my noggin'.

8. The set: Pick one. This entire film takes place:
A. on Gattaca
B. at the Fortress of Solitude
C. inside a crystal wind chime

9. The cast: Alec Baldwin is so fucking funny in this movie! Is he on the poster? I think so. He plays the wise talking plant Jason is clutching.

10. Final thoughts: I set out to make a movie like the men and women, that you and I respect, are making. My generation of comedians, actors, directors and producers that I wish to collaborate with as I build a solid body of work.

Granted, one poster stinking up the joint isn't the end of the world. Yet it sends the wrong message about our movie and I just wanted you to know, that I feel the pain. I really love the film and I know from past missteps marketing wise that the wrong poster sends the wrong audience into the theater.

Thanks again for all of your support. If you have not seen the red band trailer (which is excellent and represents the flick accordingly) watch it below! Just click of the mute button and your rolling!

PS - "Its funny what love can make you do." I just threw up all over this awful poster.
Wow, wait ... it looks better.

Hey ... I love my new movie. Jeez ... it IS funny what love can make you do.

Blackmail Marketing

So I was wandering around the web yesterday and I ran across this little website for the movie Eagle Eye called eagleeyefreefall.com. All the sites are talking about it now and getting some major buzz. Let me tell you a little about it and I'll try and keep it spoiler free.

Looking at the site it certainly seemed odd that they wanted my name and telephone number. But it peaked my curiosity so I typed it in and the next thing I know it's 10 minutes later, I'm sweating and you bet your butt I'm gonna go watch the movie. The website gets me hook line and sinker.

First off don't worry about giving your telephone number, you want to give it believe me. The site is a gimmick, all fake so when it gears up don't think it's really hacking into your system. What's really cool about it is the use of the phone. When the website calls your phone and a woman's voice starts talking to you in a very authoritive manner your butt cheaks will tighten. By the end of the experince you'll be arguing with a police officer and at the same time she'll be telling you what to say. The next thing you know you're being blackmailed and they have your soul, freaky stuff.

A very bizarre yet amazing experience that will make me forever remember this movie. I completl understand the movies tone and scary back story making it a movie I really want to see. Truly great viral marketing that use the phone in a way I never thought of which goes to show you that the world of marketing is changing rapidly and we have to catch up with the times.

Deliciously Stupid, Microsoft.

So have you heard the joke about Microsoft, Bill Gates, Jerry Seinfeld in the shoe store trying on shoes? I wish there were a punchline because that's exactly what the commercial is, a big fat joke. According to their press release is the first of more to come. They are an attempt to create...

...a conversation that will evolve as the campaign progresses, but will always be marked by humor and humanity.

Well watch out Steve Jobs, these guys are about to get serious. If I had read that press release prior to seeing the commercial I would of thought of a million different angles they could have gone. Instead, what they produced was a long winded piece of junk which makes you seriously wonder what anyone was thinking when they came up with this!

I can see it now, Crispin, Porter + Bogusky are sitting in a giant conference room. Across from them are 27 metrosexual goons with the most serious I'm really important faces they can muster. Then, in walks goofy, and socially awkward ex-CEO Bill Gates. The producer and director immediately start the animated and creatively exciting pitch. The concept is fresh and fun and will star Jerry Seinfeld. Since they couldn't think of anything truly original they thought it would be cool to do a commercial about nothing. And who better to use than Jerry Seinfeld, the king of nothing. A man who made a career with doing original, well written and hilarious skits that were masterly choreographed that had the truth of dailey life in them. Then have it shot in the trendy Office Space dry tone that people are really loving right now. Jerry can do some improv and about Microsoft and it'll be great!

Then Bill Gates says out loud, "I love it, it's great, just what the company needs, especially with Jobs doing those crappy commercials with the kids from Die Hard 3. Good job go to work, let me give you a hug!"

The guys get up from their chairs and are about to walk over and high five Bill when he says, "But I feel like somethings missing." The guys begin to sit back in to there chairs.

"You've missed the heart of the company. You know what' will fix it, me! Put me in an odd store where nobody recognizes us. Then Jerry, will just stop by and we'll make some great LOL jokes. Then I'll wiggle my ass and the public will love it."

This is the point where the producer and a director should have said you know, we should go back to the drawing board and come back with something else. But instead they thought they could make it work with Bill and here we are. Voila, crap!

I'm looking forward to the next installment. Right around now Crispin, Porter + Bogusky is realizing how there campaign has backfired and they better do something clever and fast. Jerry is apologizing to everybody he knows and Bill Gates emailing everybody on his iPhone if they saw the commercial yet? Nobody has called him yet

So enough of this Microsoft crap, let's watch something good.

Zack and Miri UPDATE

How is it that Beverly Hills 90210 can show a young high school girl doing "something" to a boy's crotch in a car can get past the MPAA sensors. Yet the movie poster for Zack and Miri Make a Porno can't! Yep the MPAA banned the poster and it's not going up anywhere. This is when I get really annoyed, a well done, cool piece of creative is getting thrown in the trash because it might offend somebody's fragile sense of nature.

The writer/director Kevin Smith says this of the controversy, "I understand they've got a job to do, but c'mon...this image isn't that dirty; they're both fully clad."

So give it a rest MPAA. It's humor people, tongue and cheek, get it! Cudo's to the guys over at Ignition Print for this splendid piece of art, hope it becomes a collectors item.

UPDATE: This just came out today. It's like a FU to the MPAA for screwing with them and you know what I like it. It's interesting what we can achieve when creatives are pushed into a corner. Very original, very clever and very hands on.

Big Head

I don't know if Gavin Berliner really is a designer or is he's even done some of the posters he mentions in this video. But I guess it doesn't really mater, take a look.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

His message is loud and clear. Big heads sell tickets. The bigger the head the bigger the chance the movie will do well. Does that make sense? Well studio's believe it and it's difficult to make a convincing argument against this tried an proven tactic. So I thought I should try and remember some of the posters from my child hood that left a lasting memory on me and see if the "big head" approach is true. What do you think?