Dear Edwina,
I came across the following comment posted on this site Movie Posters Lack Variety These Days. It’s the regular world commenting on us. I have to agree it's true. At least I understand why. I think.
"Several years ago I turned down the high-paying opportunity to work in LA for a major film studio, art-directing "big sheet" posters for new movie products. I was convinced by an old college chum and pro in the LA film business that the culture was alien to a flatlander conservative married guy with kids, that "stars" and their agents have last say on what you do with their image, and the pace of the work allows no forgiveness in delivery schedules, even as the "stars" nix your ideas and you have to start over. Thus, this pastiche of posters represents what Hollywood considers SAFE and marketable. Welcome to the machine."
Goodness! What appears to be
a real dustup over art vs. commerce is merely another whiney art director laboring
under the delusion that America is just dying to see his brainchild, but that
wretched Philistine of a client is standing in the way of him and his
public.
And where is this job where no one nixes your ideas? And how much does it pay? And who says “nix” anymore for cryin’ out loud?!
What the hell's a "big-sheet" poster?
Posted by: Your Old Art School Chum | Monday, January 28, 2013 at 09:38 AM
Our job is to give the best art that will sell the product. If you want to be an "artist" go starve somewhere else. We work in commerce.
Posted by: No One Of Consequence | Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:08 AM
We neglected to mention that the contest of art vs. commerce is like that of Bambi vs. Godzilla in that Bambi lives on twigs and berries while Godzilla can meet his payroll.
Posted by: Edwina Trout | Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 12:22 PM
Commerce has been paying my mortgage for years. It must be because I'm a liberal with no kids and high arches. No other explanation is possible.
Posted by: a. finisher | Monday, February 04, 2013 at 06:55 AM