ARTHUR RUSSELL

Poster (web & print) proposal for Documentary

Made as a reply to Matt Wolf’s *get involved* section on his website, the poster’s hierarchy encourages a cyclical wave that starts with Russell’s darkened gaze, leads you up to the (big bold) film title & downward credits that end up pointing back to the beginning.

In Tom Lee’s photo, a very tender yet distant figure is presented as the film’s main focus. Everything from Russell’s mysterious stare and scruffy hair to the texture of his sweatshirt and fragile skin add subtle complexities to the straightforward impact of the symmetrical image.

Most movie posters have default credit (boxed) typography that is pretty uninspiring. Since this documentary was not part of the big machine, it had the luxury of being able to deviate (if only slightly) from the norm.

The type combination includes mixing the pragmatic sharpness of Gotham (directly influenced by the street signs and environment of Russell’s main living space, New York) with the digital reference of Gridnik. This mix translates well with Russell’s tendencies to mix organic cello and electro disco beats.