Film Festival

This is a poster design that caught my attention while flicking through the Computer Arts magazine, by a young recent graduate from a ba(hons) graphic design course. I just really liked the illustration of the projector and the light beam, i thought it really captures the motion of the light brilliantly in this still. The sharp shapes and hard lines contrasted with the soft exterior ones is, and then the gradient of scale which perfectly represents the way in which a cinema screen works. The relationship with the typography and the image also flows nicely, it continues the direction and doesn't disrupt the flow of the design.

The salvation Army

This is an advertisement for the Salvation Army's adult rehabilitation centres across America. It is a extremely interesting use of the renowned song Amazing Grace, and it uses the lyrics to set up an insight into a lot of once troubled peoples lives. The script and concept work perfectly along side the song, and it quickly delivers the message about the people involved. At first you are lead to believe that you are about to once again here the just the song, as itself delivers a message of hardship and hope. Then the lyrics are replaced with what ever it is the person needed help for; 'crack addict', 'meth freak', 'just lost' and so on. I think it is a gentle way of delivering the word about the extraordinary work the Salvation Army does for people everywhere.

UP

Up

Up is the latest instalment from disney pixar and is going to be a big hit this autumn, if it lives up to the hype that is. This film has had trailers all over the apple site for months, and i personally am looking forward to seeing it. I would love to see it in 3D as i have never been to an i Max yest, but i don't know if this will be the right one for the job. There are some great looking characters in it and i am truly looking forward to see if Disney Pixar have produced another stunning piece of work on par with Wall.e.

Anti domestic violence ad

Yet again another brilliant awareness campaign, this time an american advertisement from 2006. I don't want to get bogged down in child abuse, domestic violence and all that jazz, but the work really is inspiringly good (most the time). This advert really impressed me with the concept, easy to understand within a few seconds, and then a great tag line at the end bringing the whole idea together 'Kids learn a lot from their parents - including domestic abuse'. I think my sudden interest in this style of work is the way it gets me to react with out any need for a direct response. I suppose working in a direct response agency for a year would leave me open to a sucker punch from this style of design.

An R.N.L.I awareness campaign

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaH0GhVvsSU

First of all I am sorry i couldn't embed the video, youtube says no hhmm. Anyway this investigation of the Royal National Lifeboats Institute came about after seeing those wellington dogs. I found this advertisement on youtube from the organisations 175th anniversary in 1999, and i have to say it gave me a little shiver. I had goose bumps, as it placed them in situations i could immediately imagine myself in. The roller coster in pooring rain simulating waves, the large propeller in their faces and the freezer all represented feelings i could understand. It was shot in an impressive cinematic fashion, which was more than fitting as it was shown before the movie at the pictures. Very well thought out awareness advertisement, that really slams home the difficulties and the bravery of the volunteers.

The circle of Life

The Lion King Broadway Show

Simply TREMENDOUS!!

I was told by friends and I read the reviews about the show and the general consensus is that it is an amazing show. I was excited by the hype but also worried, I was and hhmmm... still am a big fan of the Lion King the film and I really didn't want my views of it to be tarnished in anyway. I took my mum to see the show for her birthday and day in London, and she still remembers all of the times when she had to sit through Disney films with me when I was young; so i really wanted it to be enjoyable for her. I can tell you now the hype is well deserved! It is single handedly the best show I have ever seen, we were both completely engrossed in it from the first note by the orchestra to the last dim of the lights. Our hands were red roar from the amount of applauds it demands and deserves. The opening scene is fantastic, the costumes were executed with brilliant imagination with every detail adding positively to the spectacle. The music all the way through was goose bump raising, with some songs that were not in the film that should have been.

I guess if your a fan of the film you are wondering is it better, worse or does it spoil the film? Neither it has enhanced it, now when I think about moments in the film i have to think about the show also, they run parallel for me. This is what I was most pleased about when leaving the theatre, it made me like the story of the Lion King even more.

The animals were all played by people however for the most of it you don't even look at them as humans, your imagination covers up the human aspect and just leaves you with the animal. Mufasa and Scar were outstanding, with their giant head pieces that came down when they wanted to show a certain emotion. There was also a leopard that gracefully sauntered across the stage in such away that I honestly was unaware of the person doing it.

Inspirationally imaginative and heart warming show that anyone will enjoy, whether your a fan of the film or not.

Some bodies poisoned the water hole...!!

Toy Story

With unforgettable lines like 'To infinity and beyond!', 'You are a TOY!!' and 'There's a snake in my boot.' Toy Story is a wonderful film that both children and adults can enjoy. It is an icon in the world of film, never before had a film been computer generated to the same degree, it's sophistication alone set it head and shoulders above the rest of the films around that time. Then there is the amazingly imaginative and engaging story line, it is a subject that anyone can feel and relate to. I feel it is a truly intimate idea that will provoke some vibrant emotions from anyone, after all what kid wouldn't love their toys to come alive when they are not around? In fact i am sure every single adult and parent who took their child to see this brilliant film would love the idea of their old action men, cabbage patch kids and lego people coming alive and interacting with them. Lets not dismiss from mind that amazing introduction to the movie 'You got a friend in me', where you really get a sense in that minute and half the delightful attachment Andy (the human boy) has for his favorite toy Woody. I am pretty sure this scene also rocketed Randy Newman's career again, gaining him an Oscar nomination in 1996.

Of course one of the main reasons for this blog is the exciting new installment of the Toy Story brand, Toy Story 3, and the other two films in 3D. I for one am very looking forward to the new films, in fact writing this blog has made me want to watch the film now and enjoy it all over again. After examining the films much more I am much more aware of how and why the film means so much to me, and why i like so many have enjoyed it over and over again.