Poster for feature film DRAWING WITH CHALK

D

DCP

Well-known member
Hi Everyone,

I recently posted the movie poster for my film. Here it is:



poster2a.jpg

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For more info or to see the trailer, visit www.drawingchalkpictures.com

Thanks.

Todd
 
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Hey Todd,

I really like the poster. I think it conveys some of the story and the emotion very well. Good job!

Also, I checked out the trailer and am looking forward to seeing this film. The trailer by itself is really well done. I love the images, the dialog, and the music.

Will you be doing festivals and/or do you have distribution? If you will be doing any film festivals on the west coast, please keep me informed.

Best Regards,

Robert
 
I, of course, don't know the plot of the story, but do you think the tag line "Sometimes your life is drawn out for you" is too revealing? I don't know, after reading that I have a pretty good idea of what the film is about (although I could be completely off).

As far as the poster, it looks good. I think the dull coloring goes with the style (although, again, I don't know :D)
 
ConspiracyPenguin said:
I, of course, don't know the plot of the story, but do you think the tag line "Sometimes your life is drawn out for you" is too revealing? I don't know, after reading that I have a pretty good idea of what the film is about (although I could be completely off).

As far as the poster, it looks good. I think the dull coloring goes with the style (although, again, I don't know :D)
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Hey CP,

The tag line doesn't actually reveal anything but is more symbolic to a minor (but important) part of the film. I'm curious, could you tell me what you think the film is about and I'll let you know if you're right. Also, check out the trailer (on the Previews page) and see if that confirms your ideas.

You are right about the dull coloring as it compliments the style of the film.

Thanks CP and Robert for your comments.

Todd
 
DCP said:
Hey CP,

The tag line doesn't actually reveal anything but is more symbolic to a minor (but important) part of the film. I'm curious, could you tell me what you think the film is about and I'll let you know if you're right. Also, check out the trailer (on the Previews page) and see if that confirms your ideas.

You are right about the dull coloring as it compliments the style of the film.

Thanks CP and Robert for your comments.

Todd
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Just watched the trailer, it's fantastic! I really want to see the finished piece. Definitely was in no way similar to what I thought. :)
 
Todd... I'm really looking forward to this film. I first saw a reference to it through the Upstate Independents site (I just found out about this group & will start attending meetings to see what it's all about). The trailer blew me away! I want to see this film!
...and it's great to see you're a New Yorker too. Hope to meet you one day...
Please keep us posted on the films progress.
 
Thanks again everyone for the comments. We are currently submitting to festivals (Sundance, of course) and will let everyone know when/where/if(?) it screens. I am having a invite only screening near NYC (SUNY Purchase) next month so contact me if you're in the area and would like an invite.

Todd
 
ZazaCast said:
Todd... I'm really looking forward to this film. I first saw a reference to it through the Upstate Independents site (I just found out about this group & will start attending meetings to see what it's all about). The trailer blew me away! I want to see this film!
...and it's great to see you're a New Yorker too. Hope to meet you one day...
Please keep us posted on the films progress.
Click to expand...

Hi ZazaCast,

Upstate Independents was great for us and looks like a real good group to work with (Marco Leavitt invited us; he was our sound operator) and we really got to see first hand how the film would be received. We had a great response and the excitement confirmed that we were on to something.

As I said in an earlier post we are anticipating a private screening for cast/crew/family/friends in Nov. at SUNY Purchase and just email me if you'd like to attend. It's possibly happening Nov. 22nd (Sat). I will probably know on Monday.

I'm keeping the screening a private event so I don't disqualify myself for festivals so, again, just let me know if you want to attend and I'll invite you (same for anyone else on this board as long as seating is available).

Todd
 
Well, years later we've changed the poster. We needed a more conceptual image that related to the story. Here it is:

DWC-newposter.jpg


Again, we open on March 25th at the Quad Cinema in NYC (with a potential to move on to other cities).

Todd
 
MUUUCH better!
This one caught my attention, really gives the impression of an interesting and unique story.
 
It does give the impression of an interesting and unique story. I haven't seen the trailer, but my question is -- does it accurately represent the interesting and unique story that the movie actually tells? Or is the audience likely to expect one thing and come away with another? I only ask because the two posters -- the original and this one -- are so vastly different. The first poster seemed to convey more interest and emotion to me than this one does. But that's just me.
 
chapelgrovefilms said:
It does give the impression of an interesting and unique story. I haven't seen the trailer, but my question is -- does it accurately represent the interesting and unique story that the movie actually tells? Or is the audience likely to expect one thing and come away with another? I only ask because the two posters -- the original and this one -- are so vastly different. The first poster seemed to convey more interest and emotion to me than this one does. But that's just me.
Click to expand...

Recently at the Naples International Film Festival I was speaking with several producers (much higher budget films) and even though they really liked the original poster, they commented saying that it was missing a really strong element that is present in the film: the music. The film really is a 'rock and roll' story. I think the new concept captures and 'tells' the audience ahead of time what you can/might expect and will probably attract an audience that will really relate to the story. Yes, the posters are so vastly different and I think that was a problem with the original idea (which I did use a portion inside the new poster).

Here is a link to the trailer to see if you haven't seen it yet: http://exposureroom.com/members/DCP/a2efe9d786994819be496db5981625c7/

Thanks for the comment (and thanks stip)!

Todd
 
Just a thought, but why not try to combine the two concepts into a single poster. The first one seems like it more conveys the title "Drawing with Chalk", while the second one more conveys the story, the music. So maybe have the small child from the first poster be drawing a picture of guitar on asphalt with chalk or something and get the best of both worlds.

Here's a little something I just threw together in photoshop to illustrate:

21mu90l.jpg


Of course, if I'm completely off-base here, you can just disregard this post.
 
Nice concept!

Nice concept!

WildTrackDave said:
Just a thought, but why not try to combine the two concepts into a single poster. The first one seems like it more conveys the title "Drawing with Chalk", while the second one more conveys the story, the music. So maybe have the small child from the first poster be drawing a picture of guitar on asphalt with chalk or something and get the best of both worlds.

Here's a little something I just threw together in photoshop to illustrate:

21mu90l.jpg


Of course, if I'm completely off-base here, you can just disregard this post.
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WildTrackDave:

Wow. I really like the concept. I would like to use a variation for our CD soundtrack (the debut CD for the band The Turnback; the cd is called 'Drawn in Chalk'). Of course I would also like to give you concept credit in the booklet. I like the background image you used as well (the darker color is nice and also gives the chalk outline a rougher look). Is it possible to send me a higher version of the asphalt image? All I need is a 5"x5" 300DPI. I think I'm going to do something special with the chalk outline (once I finish it, I'll post).

Again, nice work! AND THANKS!!

Todd
 
Nice job WildTrackDave!

And Todd, mega-congrats for what you've accomplished and the appreciation it's gained. You should be proud!

Now.....can I tell you my POV on it? Preface this whole thing with "If it were ME...." It's NOT me, so this is just my opinion, okay? And I realize most of the things I'm going to mention are already engraved in stone, so to speak. But here goes anyway...

First off, I just don't get the title. "Drawing With Chalk" just doesn't say "music" to me. Which isn't an issue, really. But it also seems to go against what appears to be an implied theme -- that sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't achieve your goal. In a sense it seems to be saying that their fate is carved into something permanent and unchangeable. The image of something drawn in chalk, however, is that of something easily erased. I just don't get the connection.

One thing I LOVE about Dave's poster idea here is the sort of subliminal idea of the chalk outline of the guitar being like the chalk outline of a dead body -- representing, perhaps, a dead music career?

Anyway, the other thing I wanted to mention is the trailer. It has a lot of unnecessary stuff in it, in my opinion. It's a great showcase of the acting talent of your cast, as well as the high production values, but most of it struck me as sort of confusing and, I hate to say it, sort of "blah blah blah". The last 60 seconds was great. It was interesting, it illustrates the whole conflict, and shows what a great cast you have. If it were me, my trailer would be just that last 60 seconds.

Lastly, the line "Sometimes your life is drawn out for you" just hits me wrong. It almost seems like something contrived to fit the title. And it conveys a sense of hopelessness -- if your life truly is drawn out for you, then what's the point? The whole 'drawing' idea is lost on me, I guess. I think some sort of music metaphor would work better.

I hope you don't take this as being negative criticism. I think you've probably got a really great movie there. I'd love to see it. And I'm impressed, as a filmmaker, with what you created. Hope it does really great things for you!
 
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chapelgrovefilms said:
Nice job WildTrackDave!

And Todd, mega-congrats for what you've accomplished and the appreciation it's gained. You should be proud!

Now.....can I tell you my POV on it? Preface this whole thing with "If it were ME...." It's NOT me, so this is just my opinion, okay? And I realize most of the things I'm going to mention are already engraved in stone, so to speak. But here goes anyway...

First off, I just don't get the title. "Drawing With Chalk" just doesn't say "music" to me. Which isn't an issue, really. But it also seems to go against what appears to be an implied theme -- that sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't achieve your goal. In a sense it seems to be saying that their fate is carved into something permanent and unchangeable. The image of something drawn in chalk, however, is that of something easily erased. I just don't get the connection.

One thing I LOVE about Dave's poster idea here is the sort of subliminal idea of the chalk outline of the guitar being like the chalk outline of a dead body -- representing, perhaps, a dead music career?

Anyway, the other thing I wanted to mention is the trailer. It has a lot of unnecessary stuff in it, in my opinion. It's a great showcase of the acting talent of your cast, as well as the high production values, but most of it struck me as sort of confusing and, I hate to say it, sort of "blah blah blah". The last 60 seconds was great. It was interesting, it illustrates the whole conflict, and shows what a great cast you have. If it were me, my trailer would be just that last 60 seconds.

Lastly, the line "Sometimes your life is drawn out for you" just hits me wrong. It almost seems like something contrived to fit the title. And it conveys a sense of hopelessness -- if your life truly is drawn out for you, then what's the point? The whole 'drawing' idea is lost on me, I guess. I think some sort of music metaphor would work better.

I hope you don't take this as being negative criticism. I think you've probably got a really great movie there. I'd love to see it. And I'm impressed, as a filmmaker, with what you created. Hope it does really great things for you!
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I love opinions!

Actually the title really makes sense when you see the film. A chalk drawing IS temporary and can easily be changed (makes sense to the film; and even the ending can be interpreted different ways depending on how much you 'look' at the clues). How does chalk drawing come into the film? It's hard to explain, but when you see the film you'll get it. Now that being said, I've actually received high praise at festivals for the title (and perhaps that's because they just watched the film; abstract yet simple).

Even though the film is a 'rock and roll' story, there is so much more to it that is the focus. Yes music is a strong character in the film, but it's also a secondary character for the protagonist. His struggle is deciding which way his life should go, and eventually that decision really isn't his (sometimes your life is drawn out for you). Again, there are subtle 'clues' that can be interpreted different ways for how the story 'ends'.

Yes, the trailer is too long and is being recut (a bit more lighter and, again, simpler). We have recruited a professional trailer cutter to make this happen (I cut the original trailer myself).

As for the poster... we are keeping our guitar idea (though I may make the images drawn in the guitar a bit more 'chalkish' and I adapted Dave's idea for the cover of our soundtrack (The Turnback: Drawn in Chalk). Here it is:

turnback3.jpg


I love comments and criticism and I hope you'll continue to share even after you eventually see the film.

And thanks again Dave!
 
So have you changed the name of the film to "The Turnback"???

I know a chalk drawing is temporary and easily changed. But that seems to be the direct opposite of what's implied in the trailer -- that maybe things are set in stone and CAN'T be changed. I assume that ultimately the main characters in the story find out that this isn't true, and they CAN change things. But that should only be revealed near the end of the movie, right? Referring to drawing in chalk in the title, to me, gives away the film's ending. That was what I was concerned about.
 
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