Inspiration
08.13.10
New York magazine vs. The Social Network: An 'Inspired' Poster?
Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: On the left, the April 13, 2009 cover of New York magazine, "Facebook Revolt," with a photograph of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. On the right, the poster for the upcoming Facebook movie, The Social Network, directed by David Fincher, which debuts on October 1.The New York cover was art directed by Chris Dixon. You can find a fabulous archive of every New York cover from 1998-2010 here. See the trailer for The Social Network here.
Related stories:
Another "Inspiration?" Cover New York / St. Louis
More "Inspired" Covers Esquire / Wizard / Texas Monthly
Homage, Inspiration, or ... TIME / The Village Voice
Rolling Stone: Deja Vu? Friends / Glee
Inspiration, or... New York / Seattle
More Inspiration... Billboard / Mediaweek
Eat Cheap Eats New York / Time Out New York
When was the last time Hollywood has been accused of being ORIGINAL? Hell, I'm impressed anytime they crank out a movie poster that doesn't feature Trajan!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/trajanfilmposter/pool/
Let's differentiate.
Key Art is a design field which, although needing to pass the approval of clueless executives who just want a 'Mt. Rushmore', is a craft that's conceived by people who aim to take pride in their work.
Yes, some of them are hacks, some of them are eager to please or just get the work approved and move on, but some of them are in it to create a visual piece that both ties into the content, and makes a standalone impact that draws you in.
Granted, there are many 'inspired' posters to be found. Hollywood is this craft's poisonous raison d'etre. But this isn't Hollywood per se. There are still people out there who strive to be creative with a one-sheet.
http://www.keyartaward.com/finalists.php
By the way, the one sheet was designed by Neil Kellerhouse of Kellerhouse, Inc.
You can check out some of his work here:
http://www.kellerhouse.com/
Hardly an indictable offence. Running type across someone's face isn't a unique stylistic quirk and it's an unsurprising approach for two designers to take independently, given the subject matter.
Keller has done some nice work, and based on their DVD cover for "The Man Who Fell To Earth", nice big image and type are in their wheel house.
Not saying Hollywood does not make great posters—The American is pretty sharp in a Steve McQueen/Bullit kinda way.
http://www.spd.org/2010/06/clooney-corbijn-and-the-americ.php
But it is quite a factory with multiple design shops often contributing to one poster. I recall seeing 5 design shops once taking credit for the original "Jurassic Park" poster.
Yeah, I didn't immediately think 'rip-off' when I saw this. Coincidence seems more likley.