"dEsigning" Christmas Cool

I'm attached to a movie project as a graphic artist. It's strictly pro bono since it's a church project and this is their first foray into long-form media... of any kind. No money this go-around, but should a second film be in the offing, I could see some compensation. I have already designed the company logo and it's already in use. Now, assuming I continue with the project, I'll be designing a film logo and poster. I already have a music credit to my name, it'd be cool to have a film credit as well.

I say, 'assuming I continue' because I sent a letter last night to the man running the show... writer, director Wayne Patterson. He's a great guy. The only problem I have is the lack of communication and too many chiefs deciding what is and is not muster-passing artwork. The letter below doesn't address the lack of communication because, for me, that's the least of the two issues. In the business I work I only have to please three people: the Client, the Sales Agent, and my Supervisor. In that order. If I had to please the entire building I'd never get anything done. Capiche?

In response to Wayne's "I sent you an email yesterday and haven't heard back. I need to know how to proceed with the project" email, Here then is my reply in full...

Apologies Wayne,

My plate at work has been very full lately. I spoke with Brenda this morning about the project and I am very much interested in continuing. I do have time on weekends and some nights to devote to this project.

As to the logo, I'm still unclear about what you want and, more to the point, what you want the logo to do-- what kind of message do you want it to send? Typically logos are short and sweet; a simple image or design that encapsulates a larger idea or theme. Working where you do you know this to be true; the Toyota logo is universally identifiable. Movie logos are obviously different, but not markedly so, and they are more text-based of a necessity.

The designs you sent yesterday are nice, but I just don't see how they translate to a logo. A poster, yes, but not a logo. I will give you whatever you want. And if that's all you want me for-- I'm happy to do it. But I wonder why you would need a graphic artist for that.

I've thought a lot about your vision in terms of the design-- specifically the poster --and here's an idea I've been thinking about. I like the backgrounds you've been using, but I'd prefer to build something similar from scratch, something that will convey the same feel. I like the silhouette idea as well, but I personally would avoid any structure in terms of the silhouettes being attached to black columns or any geometric shapes. And since one of this film's biggest features is the Big Band sound, I would love to see a similar silhouetted figure of Denver blowing his horn in the foreground below and to the left of the actors silhouettes which would, of course, be much larger than little boy blue blowing his horn.

You also need to think of verbiage. What do you want the poster to say? What message? Because whatever message you decide upon must be incorporated into the design. The message needs to become part of the design... the two elements need to be in harmony. The design must be able to absorb the text without diminishing it's message. Make sense?

As to the logo, please think about what message/feeling you want it to convey. Upbeat? Serious? Dramatic? Musical? And think about text. The logo can and should incorporate some measure of design other than text, but... simple is better; a 'less is more' approach. Remember the clip you showed us all from "The Matrix"? The Logo was displayed prominently at the very beginning and, although it was a purely textual logo, the design lent itself to a specific impression... computer code. Same thing with the movie "300" -- strictly text, but red and violent. "Ice Age"? strictly text, but comedic and frigid.

Forgive me if I sound like I'm trying to run your show. Truly I'm not. I've been an artist all my life. God gave it to me. Something else He gave me was a stubborn streak-- I've worked very hard to curb it, and not always successfully. I just want you to know that I can color in the lines if you want me to, but I prefer less constraint.

I want to be a part of this project, and I guess I've said all this to say, are you sure you want me? Because I've obviously got an independent streak. I'm willing to work with you and the rest of the team. If I'm being asked to do a job, my work needs to meet someone's approval, that only makes sense. But does it have to meet everyone's approval? You are that person, or so I've been led to believe. It's your vision. So, if I have to pass everyone's muster this will become an unnecessarily difficult process.

No! :) My feelings weren't hurt with the rejection of the last logo I sent. What surprised me was how many people had a say in whether or not it was good enough. At WTVY I have, basically, three people to impress: The Client, The Sales Rep, and my Supervisor... in that order. If I had to please everyone in the building I'd never finish a single project.

My heart is open to you. I've poured it out in honesty toward you. I want to be a part. My desire is perfection, however impossible that may turn out to be, but my concern is too many chiefs making the job you're asking me to do just as impossible.

At this late stage in the game, storyboards are not something I have time for. But I do have time, and more to spare, for the logo and poster. I'm also willing to take part in actual filming when it starts up in earnest. In fact, I'd LOVE to be a part of that.

You say you need to know how to proceed. I've shown you my heart in this, so do me a favor and pray on this. If in a few days you still feel led to include me, I will consider it both and honor and blessing to continue walking with you.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Amos 3:3

My prayers are with you whatever you decide

May God richly bless you

Yours in Christ



Eric Ashley

I had to write that letter. I didn't like doing it because I know how it sounds, and it's not my desire to strike back with criticism. "They" didn't like the logo I sent last November? Fine. I have to start from scratch a lot at work. Like the current Health Care debate, sometimes it's better to just start all over from the beginning. So, If Wayne still wants me to work on this project I will. But I had to lay out some ground rules. I need assurance that I'll only be asked to impress a bare minimum of people-- what do script supervisors know of graphic design? Especially script supervisors who've never before supervised a script?

Artists are touchy. Ask anyone who has to work with them. Ask Dennis, a friend of mine, who is in contact, almost daily, with members of the Country Music Industry. I'd bet my next paycheck he could tell you some stories.

I do good work. I want to continue to do good work. But if I'm constantly fretting about what the caterer is going to think about my designs, then my passion becomes muted... dampened... and it'll show in both my enthusiasm for the project and the quality of work I deliver. What kind of cake would I bake if everyone got to throw an ingredient into my batter? I wouldn't want to eat it.

And this is where EL stands in his first movie production. I know I'm in the credits already, but I'd rather see the project all the way through. I joined up at the beginning, I'd like to still be there at the end.

And that's all I got to say about that.

The film, by the way, is entitled "Writing Christmas Cool"

~Fine~