Movie poster for my new film

dvxwheelr

dvxwheelr

Active member
Here is a sample of the movie poster (dvd cover) that I've been working on for my new film, "Masha's Ticket." The film is the second in a series of three based on short stories by Anton Chekhov. It is about a Russian couple in 1920 that believe that they have won a huge lottery prize. Because of this, they are forced to re-examine their lives and their marriage. The first film, "Sledge to Vyborgskaya" was about a Russian sledge driver who loses his son in the war and must work through his grief. The third film is titled "The Haunted Monastery" and I will begin production in the summer of 2008. Hopefully by the end of 2008 I will have all three out on one dvd.
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Hey wheeler, I see what youre trying to do here, but if you want us to be truly honest i dont think that the poster is very effective. In other words it does not deliver a strong point across. Movie posters especially need to captivate and capture the audience. in my opinion try to incorporate a tag line or something that sets your movie apart. And atleast give a hint on what to expect.

Sorry if i was too harsh on your creation but since i have joined this forum it has helped me a great deal.

Keep up the good work buddy.
 
Critiques are why I posted. Thanks for yours. Also here is the jpeg version of the poster which is much easier to read.
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I think since you are going for an old russian look play off that, use some of the old russian fonts, and get rid of the gradient and use an old texture or something. Maby with the title in both rusiian and english.
just a thought.
 
Paul, here's my take from the perspective of a halfassed graphic artist who doesn't have a whole lot of actual training: The typeface is the best thing this has going for it, but I think that the bright colors and photoshopped facet effect are a bit anachronistic for a period piece. I would do away with that background completely and look at some artwork from the 1920's and in particular from Russia in the 20's for inspiration. If communism plays any role in this, the early Soviet propaganda posters have a very distinct look that is easy to duplicate. Though if you go with that you'll probably want to change your font, at least for the title and your credit. The bottom credits might be able to retain the font you're using.

I would also consider using a frame from the film itself and stylizing it to match the style of artwork you are going for rather than using the illustration.

And Duran's got a point about conveying a message. While the style and images can convey a message, a tagline would also really help.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions or if you'd like to discuss my freelance services.
 
JBuckley said:
Paul, here's my take from the perspective of a halfassed graphic artist who doesn't have a whole lot of actual training: The typeface is the best thing this has going for it, but I think that the bright colors and photoshopped facet effect are a bit anachronistic for a period piece. I would do away with that background completely and look at some artwork from the 1920's and in particular from Russia in the 20's for inspiration. If communism plays any role in this, the early Soviet propaganda posters have a very distinct look that is easy to duplicate. Though if you go with that you'll probably want to change your font, at least for the title and your credit. The bottom credits might be able to retain the font you're using.

I would also consider using a frame from the film itself and stylizing it to match the style of artwork you are going for rather than using the illustration.

And Duran's got a point about conveying a message. While the style and images can convey a message, a tagline would also really help.

Please feel free to PM me with any questions or if you'd like to discuss my freelance services.
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The picture is a vintage drawing and I want to use it. I placed the face of my star in the picture. The background was to show the whirl of emotions the actors feel after finding out about the lottery ticket. The type face is Victorian. I wish that the background was more of a blur and I'm working on this. Also have added a tag line that I'm not completely sure about.
 
I would lose the gradient and make the whole thing b&w....

I like the pic and the font....but what about instead of using the whirlwind graphic, blow up the pic of the lottery ticket and put her pic and all the titles and credits on that. Maybe not what you are looking for, but to me it would catch my attention more.
 
as a graphic designer I would have to say you need to start from scratch. Less is more. especially when it comes to movie posters. take Jaws for instance. i dont mean to be harsh but it does look like a secretary made it. People definitely judge a book by its cover, and i just dont think that image portrays the look you need to be going for. if you send me a couple still photos i can do a quick mock up for you

jasondexter777@hotmail.com
 
Way too busy.

Lettering way too big and too smashed together, and with weird punctuation.

Lots of info you'd never see on a movie poster.

Thematically incongruous with the subject matter of the story.

No personal offense meant, but no one cares if it's a Paul J. Wheeler film. It should not be one of the most prominent pieces of the poster design.

And, I'm just being honest here . . . I always strive to give balanced reviews, but it should indeed be completely scrapped and rethought from the conceptual level up.
 
Thanks for all your comments. Here is my latest update on the poster. I just may scrap it, but I did like the picture I started with. That's an original 1923 Russian lottery ticket in the background by the way.
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It looks a lot better now, but for some reason I keep thinking of a book cover. The border seems a little too separated from the image anyway. That color scheme however works, so whatever you choose to do...stick with colors and a feel similar to the one shown above.

-Kegan
 
still gotta lose the gradient....like stated before...this is just way too busy. I would just do a solid bkd or something way more subtle.
 
David Jimerson said:
...No personal offense meant, but no one cares if it's a Paul J. Wheeler film. It should not be one of the most prominent pieces of the poster design...

I think that if you're writing, directing, editting, and producing a film (and now I find myself working on this dumb poster), I believe that your name should be as big if not bigger than the title. And since i am working on this poster, by God it will be as big!
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Kill the gradient for sure. I'd lose the swirly things around the old picture as well. They look way too modern and clean. I'd ditch the font too for something readable for the credits and I'm with david on losing your name from the middle of the poster. The poster is there to promote the movie, not stroke egos.
 
I think that if you're writing, directing, editting, and producing a film (and now I find myself working on this dumb poster), I believe that your name should be as big if not bigger than the title. And since i am working on this poster, by God it will be as big!
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Does it help sell the story? Does it matter (to the average audience member)? Who (besides yourself) does this information serve?

Trust me - I went down this road with my first documentary.... (shot, directed, scored, written, edited, and on and on and on...). Looking back, those bigass credits I gave myself are a bit much. Even though I did all of those things (and more - poster included).

I think it's great to take pride in your project. I also think "A Paul J. Wheeler Production" or "A Film by Paul J. Wheeler" should suffice. With too many self-credits, there will be no one to blame should the film not turn out all that you'd like it to be.

Just a thought....
 
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