Research - Darkness

The things which stood out to me from my mood board was the 'B movie' style posters of the Death Proof & Planet Terror and the darker 'folk' style illustrations.

I have also researched films and TV programmes that also portray darkness in a clever way. 

B MOVIE

Death Proof (2007). Quentin Tarantino's take on the old B-movie poster format.  to achieve an authentic look, Tarantino has opted for a  minimum colour palette and has made it look like it is  faded in parts and has been folded at some point. This look would have been common during the height of B-movies due to cheaper printing techniques and the locations and circumstances in which the posters would have been hung.

Plant Terror (2007). Released at the same time as Death Proof. Again it is a modern poster trying to look old. As with Death Proof, this is one of many.

  

ORIGINAL POSTERS

Below are a few examples of original B-movie posters. Like Tarantino's remakes, the posters use a limited colour palette and have a faded worn look. This style of poster is now very desirable, with posters from even lesser-known films becoming very valuable and collectible.

(Right)

Attack of the 50 ft woman (1958).

 Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1956).

Bride of the Monster (1955)

ILLUSTRATION - STUART KOLAKOVIC

I came across Stuart in Computer Art and was immediately drawn to his illustrative style.  He is a London based illustrator, well known for this folk style. I like how he uses simple shapes and textures to add mood.  In Computer Arts, when asked why he uses 'folk' as an influence he is quoted to say  “It is a 'romantic' alternative to living in today's technologically advanced, expensive and essentially crowded, modern Western world". Below are some of my favourite Kolakovic designs, I'll tried to pick examples which show an element of darkness.  

 

Nobrow 3 Artwork Fail

Private Xmas Commission

Lichen Forest Panel

I have also included the following pictures, as it shows how this illustration style has marketable potential. In the examples below, he's work is shown on the wall of a skate shop, skateboards themselves and on the wall of a shoe shop. The skateboard gives the impression of how it could look on artifact of similar dimensions.  

Projekts Skateshop Wall Mural

Nobrow Lauch, Jaguar Shoes, London

Slalom Skateboard

OTHER FILMS AND TV

Clockwork Orange (1971)

A Clockwork Orange, is well known for its dark violent theme. It features horrific crime sprees set in a futuristic London.  This dark feel is made even more disturbing by its soundtrack of classical music. The the film also has an iconic movie poster.

Film Poster

American Psycho

American Psycho is a physiological thriller about a serial killer.  I have chosen to include it in my research due to its post-modern and artistic qualities.  

 Screen shot from the film

TrueBlood

I have also looked at the TV series 'Trueblood'  in my research. I like its different take on the vampire story and how it creates its dark atmosphere through clever storylines and its deep south setting. it also features of my favourite opening credits due to its original typeface and the mood it sets through a series of lo-fi short videos. 

   Series 1, DVD cover design

HBO Advertising Campaign

Opening Credits