tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59771599061464625312024-03-05T21:57:47.209-05:00The Long MorrowMe, my art, and the stuff that moves me.Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-39173249931850440232023-12-31T12:40:00.002-05:002023-12-31T12:41:40.533-05:00STRIKE While the Fist is Hot<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZVrJPYG8ppC7JyZfTdpJJFcy_P6EZWPOivfNuWrj951JI_2YOPqtOpERrVo_89MVfTJ-NZZ6cJGKH-Q-XMxVAQjeo4KaeerjgIHsa-GoStaA269yTJyS5CPmpzEq5JvKIf81mFwh8tw75O7DosjdhiMiSsMzvFnu_TdCKhg04WT9dqH-WbGAfurLMTbV/s1152/STRIKE%20header%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZVrJPYG8ppC7JyZfTdpJJFcy_P6EZWPOivfNuWrj951JI_2YOPqtOpERrVo_89MVfTJ-NZZ6cJGKH-Q-XMxVAQjeo4KaeerjgIHsa-GoStaA269yTJyS5CPmpzEq5JvKIf81mFwh8tw75O7DosjdhiMiSsMzvFnu_TdCKhg04WT9dqH-WbGAfurLMTbV/w710-h264/STRIKE%20header%202.jpg" width="710" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Angela Mao returns to the silver screen with 1973's <i>WHEN TAEKWONDO STRIKES</i>. My art for this package takes it's cue from the visual theme I established for a previous double feature of her films. Whereas the main characters were rendered in gray tones for the cover and in-color for the interior booklet of that release, this time I reversed that approach and put more color on the cover. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The layering of characters, splattering of paint, and the angled, dimensional title text gives it some depth, without implying the film is presented in 3D. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR9Egk0vCT1FI6jvx6IPLN2OF2xTtqABXY4uaYe-k0Le2eH2C3k-M3BeBj3ihILfFVPlLzRFknPcHWEpPf0CyRRORgv2tqwIvxYYiNH8JL5yVtTrSOfLqQQEhpL6pgNebDmyQaTbgGry-jY5N1028VYxVetfyoS9dqNimCp9sXBzAuCV7fCA0if_L01xy/s1008/When%20Taekwando%20Strikes_o-card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="871" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR9Egk0vCT1FI6jvx6IPLN2OF2xTtqABXY4uaYe-k0Le2eH2C3k-M3BeBj3ihILfFVPlLzRFknPcHWEpPf0CyRRORgv2tqwIvxYYiNH8JL5yVtTrSOfLqQQEhpL6pgNebDmyQaTbgGry-jY5N1028VYxVetfyoS9dqNimCp9sXBzAuCV7fCA0if_L01xy/w711-h871/When%20Taekwando%20Strikes_o-card.jpg" width="711" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">For the booklet the focus is shifted to Jhoon Rhee. I grew up near his dojo in Washington D.C., so his television commercials with that famous music and "NOBODY BAHDAHS ME, EDAH" slogan was ingrained in my impressionable brain from childhood. It's unfortunate he didn't do more films. But at least this one is getting an HD re-release. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvvf3-Jyo1kmvwKbic7zEt_kQ4Am_almA2wrUxS94XVkf-VahunJd5yiYfq5KPPq8GMlcFlj5jdBl7nCz62UvT5-bRJWxBo-zk4vtibcVWb6LM0LLRTUYTAM41dcY2ResFVt3PHmSx9OwJEQVkYGXBhEj6JEe7iK9tx4u83enZmNvgLJKL7BDqSdz_4Bz/s1008/When%20Taekwando%20Strikes_booklet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="847" height="846" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvvf3-Jyo1kmvwKbic7zEt_kQ4Am_almA2wrUxS94XVkf-VahunJd5yiYfq5KPPq8GMlcFlj5jdBl7nCz62UvT5-bRJWxBo-zk4vtibcVWb6LM0LLRTUYTAM41dcY2ResFVt3PHmSx9OwJEQVkYGXBhEj6JEe7iK9tx4u83enZmNvgLJKL7BDqSdz_4Bz/w711-h846/When%20Taekwando%20Strikes_booklet.jpg" width="711" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And for fun, to close out the year, here's some Chrismas card art I did for martial artists Karen Campbell and Cynthia Rothrock. HAPPY NEW YEAR everybody. May your blessings continue.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zvd3LILeNx-4LftlsbaW8QvbFyKHWvG3qKeFPTdLA_f88xjCvqwvyFXDuR7dzlHni2LIGhFgYeIGu5opJHTzRNabF2oWZvLccobEspUBYCUAPyXmQPkY90kwoN_J5EuKQOylMuzg4Tsm-hMLvl72H8Syg6Zcb2r7n5aIkiqWLcgidTfHBR96EGSlQ2LR/s1008/X-MAS%20CARD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="828" height="866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zvd3LILeNx-4LftlsbaW8QvbFyKHWvG3qKeFPTdLA_f88xjCvqwvyFXDuR7dzlHni2LIGhFgYeIGu5opJHTzRNabF2oWZvLccobEspUBYCUAPyXmQPkY90kwoN_J5EuKQOylMuzg4Tsm-hMLvl72H8Syg6Zcb2r7n5aIkiqWLcgidTfHBR96EGSlQ2LR/w712-h866/X-MAS%20CARD.jpg" width="712" /></a><div><br /><p>Catch you on the flip side.</p></div></div></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-45260097149715539572023-12-30T20:07:00.000-05:002023-12-30T20:07:07.227-05:00Welcome to the Cult<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe2LFdCbZJJoBPgtQDNQHzY3I426aY9JM3Z9WkLMWpIemWxvMRhgHYnUOfxZ7SnXadS3GzCfMQFHCH5hEgM264FiYNpBwlcF6g1kbuwRgE_R7rpxNc6G6Pt6DJrwJfbVLmcPtfS3XiuQDLQG4LWVzs9Nv0_71YqsQCylca3J1mriFQyX7nvt0gBNhGODL/s1152/KUNG%20FU%20CULT%20MASTER%20header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfe2LFdCbZJJoBPgtQDNQHzY3I426aY9JM3Z9WkLMWpIemWxvMRhgHYnUOfxZ7SnXadS3GzCfMQFHCH5hEgM264FiYNpBwlcF6g1kbuwRgE_R7rpxNc6G6Pt6DJrwJfbVLmcPtfS3XiuQDLQG4LWVzs9Nv0_71YqsQCylca3J1mriFQyX7nvt0gBNhGODL/w724-h269/KUNG%20FU%20CULT%20MASTER%20header.jpg" width="724" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I did this art for the Blu-ray packaging of Wong Jong's 1993 wuxia flick, <i>KUNG FU CULT MASTER</i>, starring Jet Li perhaps at the peak of his popularity. The first or a proposed two-parter, it's filled with fast-paced, high-flying wire-fu action and the requisite amount of double crosses. Who's on who's side? Well, the cover gives you a hint if you get confused. Heroes on top, villians down below. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">There was some marketing at the time of this release that accidently, and hilariously, mis-titled the film <i>KUNG FU <b>COLT</b> MASTER</i>. I remember the Hong Kong VCD was notrious in this regard. Now THAT'S a movie I'd like to see. The story of a horse who practices martial arts. Somebody get Roger Corman on the phone.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHW_DltqQjtfJIFtl87V-sZUbTXtH60i5ISj0TTScEhfF7HqoUo6rjJC-lJg-GDA-T2R0Th1cbbdV3_Hg1TAl2aC75SCfV0w68-b8s0ygFGfnfuuL9MvtGDnX4J8Cmp6tjN0U8smozpDc4R9Um_ZjF6K36GXia101ZS8N8DzNWXfpDNRB2146sBUIGNQSH/s1008/KUNG%20FU%20CULT%20MASTER%20o-card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="828" height="883" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHW_DltqQjtfJIFtl87V-sZUbTXtH60i5ISj0TTScEhfF7HqoUo6rjJC-lJg-GDA-T2R0Th1cbbdV3_Hg1TAl2aC75SCfV0w68-b8s0ygFGfnfuuL9MvtGDnX4J8Cmp6tjN0U8smozpDc4R9Um_ZjF6K36GXia101ZS8N8DzNWXfpDNRB2146sBUIGNQSH/w726-h883/KUNG%20FU%20CULT%20MASTER%20o-card.jpg" width="726" /></a></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The film is jam-packed with characters, and quite a few big stars, so I felt the cover should reflect that element. Jet needed to loam large in his typical, stoic, offensive/defensive (come at me bro) pose. His name large across the top. While the art style and font choice coveyed the period, fantasy-action aspect of the film, so popular with local audiences at the time. Add some saturated colors to make it pop off a neutral background and bake for 20 minutes to a light orange.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVxBg4JcqNOhxpjPsQKjbDzFg3L7kQhMEGVfK0z6MNjoEUe1-hT-KTq8_m9dCEaEAW8st7I4sDBdknZEsbMrSqeEYiDRlnJgKvwcQH7LETseQ3cwDAmucgHVt8eW-GTbfpCsnV14jEmw2okNpuMM72lE_fj3QodtWL1cwA5s97njDQLz4aDX73ZUSnpaB/s979/KUNG%20FU%20CULT%20MASTER%20book%20cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="979" data-original-width="821" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVxBg4JcqNOhxpjPsQKjbDzFg3L7kQhMEGVfK0z6MNjoEUe1-hT-KTq8_m9dCEaEAW8st7I4sDBdknZEsbMrSqeEYiDRlnJgKvwcQH7LETseQ3cwDAmucgHVt8eW-GTbfpCsnV14jEmw2okNpuMM72lE_fj3QodtWL1cwA5s97njDQLz4aDX73ZUSnpaB/w490-h588/KUNG%20FU%20CULT%20MASTER%20book%20cover.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Mao strikes back. Next time.</div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-67861527184702447512023-11-30T12:05:00.001-05:002023-11-30T12:13:51.903-05:00Urban Action Showcase<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVP28hR2NzyOkcQCjMGcDZRKCFDxioHdBSub27L73lTq2csA1jf5MEr-NUI2x1a_Lgto9JXeagdTd2SRecZ5beW9AfHKa3d3QoRJbYjbyUQsqAOlnNYJr3ZWvaiyucoZazGl4zArXVLJ0yl2JikzQkPI1JOg_NbvPw-AQ0Gv_E-fM6i4Y1Cr82Gi5Gh9B/s1152/Urban%20Action%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVP28hR2NzyOkcQCjMGcDZRKCFDxioHdBSub27L73lTq2csA1jf5MEr-NUI2x1a_Lgto9JXeagdTd2SRecZ5beW9AfHKa3d3QoRJbYjbyUQsqAOlnNYJr3ZWvaiyucoZazGl4zArXVLJ0yl2JikzQkPI1JOg_NbvPw-AQ0Gv_E-fM6i4Y1Cr82Gi5Gh9B/w741-h276/Urban%20Action%20header.png" width="741" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I designed this piece for the cover of a publication which showcased black actors/martial artists who flourished in the kung fu/martial arts action film craze that Bruce Lee helped kick off in the early 1970s. In fact, three of them (Jim Kelly, Donnie Williams and Steve Muhammad) appeared in <i><b>ENTER THE DRAGON</b></i> which celebrated it's 50th anniversary this year. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sammo Hung's prot<span style="text-align: left;">é</span>g<span style="text-align: left;">é, </span>Robert Samuels (<i><b>DON'T GIVE A DAMN</b></i>), and Taimak (<i><b>THE LAST DARGON</b></i>) round out the composition, along with the 'Little Dragon' himself watching over them.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For fun, I gave it a slight 1970s feel, with "racetrack" borders in green and orange. And I further aged it with some distressing as it was to be used for a limited edition t-shirt as well.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IwOiQuZh1JdShON9DRa373KWk5_MyAhu9Mn_hwU6GQncZ_ABHoS-hRqhyKQdxHHeZUlK84ozufXUfCL97EaJpgALCj_yRAW9QyXu-sn3M6ES8ve5cKlu1Pek-fGaPyVp3UsTDp9TLV4Xsh08Fk01WR4FKZjn5Dnq3L-BQlc7eFT6Y4hvwWvcvZjMhVfM/s1093/URBAN%20ACTION%20SHOWCASE.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="821" height="988" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IwOiQuZh1JdShON9DRa373KWk5_MyAhu9Mn_hwU6GQncZ_ABHoS-hRqhyKQdxHHeZUlK84ozufXUfCL97EaJpgALCj_yRAW9QyXu-sn3M6ES8ve5cKlu1Pek-fGaPyVp3UsTDp9TLV4Xsh08Fk01WR4FKZjn5Dnq3L-BQlc7eFT6Y4hvwWvcvZjMhVfM/w741-h988/URBAN%20ACTION%20SHOWCASE.png" width="741" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Next time, we send in the clones. Or maybe not. We shall see.<br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-66998644541227839862023-11-28T17:57:00.000-05:002023-11-28T17:57:51.681-05:00Deadly Strike!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsodBYAAFtJiQ3RxwuLTFGUTvVjdJb9wJpxAKXgXFE_3ryqnlwwbAlXiXVwlV9WI_H4AxNSuchyAzNT0oRfbCXhhqk9cUdjBxYJxZ72GYPq66GeNa-e8OlwbN9MR8P_VBzbiZaY3VwBqIa2DM_6f3dRtQ-5IV0AJgOY7-GnmU2dtJ9cJwed_yNRalp6Cp/s1152/Deadly%20Strike%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwsodBYAAFtJiQ3RxwuLTFGUTvVjdJb9wJpxAKXgXFE_3ryqnlwwbAlXiXVwlV9WI_H4AxNSuchyAzNT0oRfbCXhhqk9cUdjBxYJxZ72GYPq66GeNa-e8OlwbN9MR8P_VBzbiZaY3VwBqIa2DM_6f3dRtQ-5IV0AJgOY7-GnmU2dtJ9cJwed_yNRalp6Cp/w751-h279/Deadly%20Strike%20header.png" width="751" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Here's an illustration I did for a cover of a publication featuring Taiwanese actor/director Lu Feng, star of the 1978 Shaw Brothers film <i><b>FIVE DEADLY VENOMS</b></i>. (It might be fun to do a full series of these sometime.)</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Lu is the deadly centipede coiled and ready to strike. Do centipedes actually coil? And are they even deadly? Well, I'm not going to find out. His blade looks pretty sharp to me.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPjf6ZJr-Av8ayjAmIBYiFTywtP3kc3oy_T7kru1t7UBeJcHeQQoc0fxuvvkNt6F6BQZGO-1q75PSY9pmXPnm_5XJhwibZCnRxk8lLpwcO8JufSogob6PodogrD9oLj_HgDyxxSPpkNzmB028a7HIaojne4WiOWL-04nhb31LUDTX6miNK_VMs5xWP0up/s1093/FIVE%20VENOMS%20MAGAZINE%20COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="821" height="1005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPjf6ZJr-Av8ayjAmIBYiFTywtP3kc3oy_T7kru1t7UBeJcHeQQoc0fxuvvkNt6F6BQZGO-1q75PSY9pmXPnm_5XJhwibZCnRxk8lLpwcO8JufSogob6PodogrD9oLj_HgDyxxSPpkNzmB028a7HIaojne4WiOWL-04nhb31LUDTX6miNK_VMs5xWP0up/w754-h1005/FIVE%20VENOMS%20MAGAZINE%20COVER.png" width="754" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">And this is piece I did for a friend. Karen Campbell and Cynthia Rothrock getting their kicks. (The Welsh and Chinese dragons approve.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVMfLjCdTYjZ3GmtK7eIsEUFvHXVVnrFgNuwJ240M9w6Hvv_sYZylXsZLeg8JqRCxeZeelH2Qk2d9n_VKGEp9l7S7jORrDdZuhFTwDfKfWQJ8X_CHUeMfgB3kiielDbNSXxqJEuEBbkjwv82YySaX1FP1W8SpA5N4MTDUHU_wm8YXUqW26nw00LubSSat/s1008/TWIN%20DRAGONS%20PNG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="928" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVMfLjCdTYjZ3GmtK7eIsEUFvHXVVnrFgNuwJ240M9w6Hvv_sYZylXsZLeg8JqRCxeZeelH2Qk2d9n_VKGEp9l7S7jORrDdZuhFTwDfKfWQJ8X_CHUeMfgB3kiielDbNSXxqJEuEBbkjwv82YySaX1FP1W8SpA5N4MTDUHU_wm8YXUqW26nw00LubSSat/w756-h928/TWIN%20DRAGONS%20PNG.png" width="756" /></a></div><p>The butt kicking continues... nex ttime. </p><p></p><p></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-67257400176026886542023-10-29T16:52:00.003-04:002023-10-29T16:52:23.233-04:00Female Fighting Frenzy<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqWCn5TRoOLo9CN3o5cnMo9R-w2uRNHN_4icg3_xhYVa6C8YShCZTiccnDyKGk35DKfjHbnORjq2LX-BnAm3LL9FeJtbC4V_ZC_iw1IxY2RiFAnyxnDCSVpIWZgEUQferpqGAAH72xetiOfWJeicH_SRkuzgND7VGstktl-M0oiIrtJefuFfm6OUsgk9b/s1152/female%20fighting%20frenzy%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqWCn5TRoOLo9CN3o5cnMo9R-w2uRNHN_4icg3_xhYVa6C8YShCZTiccnDyKGk35DKfjHbnORjq2LX-BnAm3LL9FeJtbC4V_ZC_iw1IxY2RiFAnyxnDCSVpIWZgEUQferpqGAAH72xetiOfWJeicH_SRkuzgND7VGstktl-M0oiIrtJefuFfm6OUsgk9b/w750-h279/female%20fighting%20frenzy%20header.png" width="750" /></a></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">This is a piece I illustrated a while ago for the cover of a new publication. It's now finally coming out so I can share it here. The lighting design and color palette help to tie the elements together while giving it a unique look. I enjoyed the subect matter so this was a fun piece to do. </span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">Not a whole lot to say about it other than... for those fools who underestimate Sally's knuckle guns, she also has a absurdly large rocket launcher concealed in her arm. Like all good robot women should.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8AqAUk1YEpkMuloeS0nuXAqaglLi3ID8Gi9g5Dyys8Ts4ue8udHzCjYmal5cTQNYt3T4Ecp1jIG1UUySnKZ_FiuBOzeXFsCukaAG8ivZ6j6bFxu_3_cMJ6zqEiFLtB5dPNZNrYkdD7WkaUYp562kVPJEQQhh841WcBTbQh5fCDVKQ6960xD45HX05Xiw/s1093/HK%20Action%20Babes%20cover%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="821" height="1001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8AqAUk1YEpkMuloeS0nuXAqaglLi3ID8Gi9g5Dyys8Ts4ue8udHzCjYmal5cTQNYt3T4Ecp1jIG1UUySnKZ_FiuBOzeXFsCukaAG8ivZ6j6bFxu_3_cMJ6zqEiFLtB5dPNZNrYkdD7WkaUYp562kVPJEQQhh841WcBTbQh5fCDVKQ6960xD45HX05Xiw/w750-h1001/HK%20Action%20Babes%20cover%201.png" width="750" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After the art was done, a few new interviews were conducted so a second cover was created to reflect the additional content. This is that version below.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tcaK1pucFt61pYfhMojcc35LLe1_A8DdB-nK2FPIj6IxrU7j4OBwSfgnne1aMHhS2CeXyVhMWK4YSnnrygoAwwf6kL3bBLVuap8lENWi9hSHTFeq4VF9_Zoi_ahyphenhyphenBc_gQbMV0OCR1sENo7xvWtpOxAwvZljJF6pDs_3YG5j9sxDu64iHgeGsjqQ6TLO4/s1093/HK%20Action%20Babes%20cover%203.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="821" height="1002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tcaK1pucFt61pYfhMojcc35LLe1_A8DdB-nK2FPIj6IxrU7j4OBwSfgnne1aMHhS2CeXyVhMWK4YSnnrygoAwwf6kL3bBLVuap8lENWi9hSHTFeq4VF9_Zoi_ahyphenhyphenBc_gQbMV0OCR1sENo7xvWtpOxAwvZljJF6pDs_3YG5j9sxDu64iHgeGsjqQ6TLO4/w751-h1002/HK%20Action%20Babes%20cover%203.png" width="751" /></a></div><br /><div>Next time... the Centipede STRIKES!</div></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-57791066843791553092023-10-13T16:20:00.001-04:002023-10-13T16:24:21.032-04:00Feeling a Scary Shiver<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNzQi683DDioid8uuyKe8aWu6xOc0gVFL7b_X-fRlrGIWE0GYLKodv3kBYpAYqyN4kHPmnEkGu3iDUoHyh8HHRuh7EpvHtOIwhr8n_RF6jOuuDoAaI8DQgtKngLDH9WxEL8p28-TS7NZ__l55DR-j06ZLdO5knO5Bd7j4rZspBps4UpGn_OKkDbs2N0DY/s1152/SCARY%20SHIVERS%20blog%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNzQi683DDioid8uuyKe8aWu6xOc0gVFL7b_X-fRlrGIWE0GYLKodv3kBYpAYqyN4kHPmnEkGu3iDUoHyh8HHRuh7EpvHtOIwhr8n_RF6jOuuDoAaI8DQgtKngLDH9WxEL8p28-TS7NZ__l55DR-j06ZLdO5knO5Bd7j4rZspBps4UpGn_OKkDbs2N0DY/w749-h279/SCARY%20SHIVERS%20blog%20header.png" width="749" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Considering October is when the spooks come out, (and today is Friday the Thirteenth) I thought I'd share some art I did for a fun series of children's "horror" novels. Think <i><b>Scooby Doo Mysteries</b></i> except that the monsters... are <i>real</i>. Maybe the <b><i>Goosebumps</i></b> series is a better comparison.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been illustrating the <i>SCARY SHIVERS </i>series for a while and have enjoyed comin up with vaguely spooky dream-like imagery. All the while staying this side of good taste, considering the intended audience. (The world's full of weird jobs. Sometimes I get paid to draw an attacking hoard of hundreds of ferocious cave-dwelling roach-like creatures with glowing eyes and dripping fangs. Just another Wednesday afternoon at my place.)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The interior art is rendered in gory grayscale, while the covers are presenting in full creepy color. The first three books in the series are <i>THE CURSE OF SHADOW PARK</i>,<i> THE LEGEND OF THE SERPENT WITCH</i> and <i>THE WEEPING HOUSE</i>. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayiVxxqiEGAPr6KWGeWfyNthPPXjDm8KDgVZR6NvmncjDs_54CzaVpS7nzkyjsSRBNY3zRw0h2kU30YWKJbrDZ0iWYMimHTH-zso_RqtJ1qIDm1ZPK0HJNW7ycf-eB60Nl02d9ta9yIkhbVUEo1f_SzK_BEOG7AADun9p7MOdtmiMVeRQnnEWrJrPPoCb/s996/THE%20CURSE%20OF%20SHADOW%20PARK%20book.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="765" height="683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayiVxxqiEGAPr6KWGeWfyNthPPXjDm8KDgVZR6NvmncjDs_54CzaVpS7nzkyjsSRBNY3zRw0h2kU30YWKJbrDZ0iWYMimHTH-zso_RqtJ1qIDm1ZPK0HJNW7ycf-eB60Nl02d9ta9yIkhbVUEo1f_SzK_BEOG7AADun9p7MOdtmiMVeRQnnEWrJrPPoCb/w525-h683/THE%20CURSE%20OF%20SHADOW%20PARK%20book.png" width="525" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmDlBlpzU_NsCp-vMdMMPFj3sx1_JhyXJRssW1gxin1l0OXzS4hSzbkrOhvgOGHUcenVZ83vz1gs-rcjyFHXK6XzIECE8JerQKo-dfjMzF1KzlzgMRSOyxHfL1wIwxysYeks3wGtYZo8D3kg9sDWeGFPnC6lcNcO5L87E_dreDvhSUDQ4NXLkYA6g8ZCF/s996/LEGEND%20OF%20THE%20SERPENT%20WITCH%20book.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="765" height="683" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmDlBlpzU_NsCp-vMdMMPFj3sx1_JhyXJRssW1gxin1l0OXzS4hSzbkrOhvgOGHUcenVZ83vz1gs-rcjyFHXK6XzIECE8JerQKo-dfjMzF1KzlzgMRSOyxHfL1wIwxysYeks3wGtYZo8D3kg9sDWeGFPnC6lcNcO5L87E_dreDvhSUDQ4NXLkYA6g8ZCF/w523-h683/LEGEND%20OF%20THE%20SERPENT%20WITCH%20book.png" width="523" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLvTawY77Od52BPe-p9pC2_mDV3TATsce3FKM8GHzX8WwU4H_x8krmIXKgx8mMfD7bcHcL1kW3Y0r95qu6i3_zyJ-YfY2DkNBTUUPEJg8wRxNhW_rzueBHEDHqh6XxQjFuj7SzvlhLJLHeTTsBxAz4I_RZGJCm6qu79UctjlKePMTteXCeHDAZVMBJ8y0/s996/THE%20WEEPING%20HOUSE%20book.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="765" height="677" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLvTawY77Od52BPe-p9pC2_mDV3TATsce3FKM8GHzX8WwU4H_x8krmIXKgx8mMfD7bcHcL1kW3Y0r95qu6i3_zyJ-YfY2DkNBTUUPEJg8wRxNhW_rzueBHEDHqh6XxQjFuj7SzvlhLJLHeTTsBxAz4I_RZGJCm6qu79UctjlKePMTteXCeHDAZVMBJ8y0/w520-h677/THE%20WEEPING%20HOUSE%20book.png" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The author requested I refrain from illustrating the three tweenage protagonists thus allowing for the reader to better imprint themselves into the story. All the artwork is therefore rendered as POVs (point of views) further helping with the immersion. Here's a splattering of interior art examples featuring a couple creepy-crawlies. If you want more, well then you'll just have to buy the books.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That is... if you <i>DARE!</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXkOcn5F-Bdv_YD-HXxnFk41UrWmrO1SQ-v-GzhokKBE6Jk1L-2hpbOfK_32uIDVsQi7CKrvar_-51hsfrQO7sZ0oBXPtAmOiXHTqZfdRvCJlr3At14bvVvTzWr3xfgSitzXuydwSXhJ7UcWPaUNtrGYHYqwAG0S4w1tXRzCvC7_pSsD0YCWHNTKkahZg/s1702/interior%20samples%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="821" height="1497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXkOcn5F-Bdv_YD-HXxnFk41UrWmrO1SQ-v-GzhokKBE6Jk1L-2hpbOfK_32uIDVsQi7CKrvar_-51hsfrQO7sZ0oBXPtAmOiXHTqZfdRvCJlr3At14bvVvTzWr3xfgSitzXuydwSXhJ7UcWPaUNtrGYHYqwAG0S4w1tXRzCvC7_pSsD0YCWHNTKkahZg/w721-h1497/interior%20samples%202.png" width="721" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Well that's all for now. Next time. Sci-fi action babes get the spotlight they deserve.</div></div></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-11317504380491306442023-09-19T16:10:00.002-04:002023-09-19T16:13:56.160-04:00The Royal Treatment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu8enSytYw3X6Ibi7TBErXZNfiE8ezAwQEw7zRQD7sozMyKlBjHv6DLNlBtGH_TBYmk_I3ZQCnPr1GX3d9S2vwMODEF9pTqHoEXIlCnERuAjHpGyysXu7amt4WIl8EzybplaLini8EevRI5Lm9IjFDdgVh6QkJlfzuClTa3y7978pJZ2ru-caDPl2_Raz/s1152/royal%20tramp%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu8enSytYw3X6Ibi7TBErXZNfiE8ezAwQEw7zRQD7sozMyKlBjHv6DLNlBtGH_TBYmk_I3ZQCnPr1GX3d9S2vwMODEF9pTqHoEXIlCnERuAjHpGyysXu7amt4WIl8EzybplaLini8EevRI5Lm9IjFDdgVh6QkJlfzuClTa3y7978pJZ2ru-caDPl2_Raz/w726-h270/royal%20tramp%20header.png" width="726" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In the early 1990s Cantonese comedian Stephen Chow burst to super stardom in Hong Kong. His films often outgrossed even Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat movies at home. In fact, the top five highest grossing HK films of 1992 were <i>all </i>Stephen Chow films. <i>(Hey dude, howzabout leave something for the rest of us!) </i>It is from that very furtile period that these two films arose. Well, it's more like<i> one</i> 3 hour film chopped into two 90 minutes halves. With bottom-denominator Wong Jing at the helm, you know what to expect and yep, it delivers. Lots of nipple twisting. Philistines rejoice. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For the outer packaging of the Blu-ray collection of both <i>ROYAL TRAMP</i> films, I briefly considered going with a super-deformed big-head caricatured cartoony style synominous with Hong Kong action-comedies of the time. But although that goes over well with HK audiences, I think my client's European audiences associate that more with straight comedies, and although this film is quite silly, I think the bigger draw to this market is the over-the-top martial arts action and not the Cantonese wordplay Chow is known for. So instead I played up the bright colors, the large recognizable cast, the fanciful costumes and of course Chow's goofiness... all wrapped in an ornate, slightly formal, Chinese framework. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSiDZSmTtRw5rdcT6zV_Fu-TxMYKKAn0kfq6KKyKSJJugy4KD5FOEKsU3KZCPC18QgMVDB5koiBEVuEmgEwZxIM37IBv3yrcNMm4InD74lBN4tU_zYu0qzYnqZpqlnNlO6fG_4Xv3ImdWZ32F3h8q5e4cR0wykuQ-_Rz_x0mF96yUGxLHqj26Eub96rdU/s1008/ROYAL%20TRAMP_O-CARD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="891" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSiDZSmTtRw5rdcT6zV_Fu-TxMYKKAn0kfq6KKyKSJJugy4KD5FOEKsU3KZCPC18QgMVDB5koiBEVuEmgEwZxIM37IBv3yrcNMm4InD74lBN4tU_zYu0qzYnqZpqlnNlO6fG_4Xv3ImdWZ32F3h8q5e4cR0wykuQ-_Rz_x0mF96yUGxLHqj26Eub96rdU/w727-h891/ROYAL%20TRAMP_O-CARD.png" width="727" /></a></div><br /><p>October is coming and that when the spooks come out. Next time.</p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-28506670616210872302023-09-17T18:59:00.007-04:002023-09-19T16:11:50.359-04:00A New Revelation<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh6yNezMPj8Byf-Y6gd8g4DbRLqMICcuDZBMFPYcJHsmhJ9KWwqRra9_L64UtUgoma4DR72EI5oNpW1yrV0JVR4G7357wIKVgG0vWapHP_l-IUU9LqRlO8CE0OQbUW3VnGmmiR1e4rGv4qbpkuqnlV0M8DmE766GGmRHtktSmTpbDvewsP0l0A63dJqXj/s1152/THE%20FP%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDh6yNezMPj8Byf-Y6gd8g4DbRLqMICcuDZBMFPYcJHsmhJ9KWwqRra9_L64UtUgoma4DR72EI5oNpW1yrV0JVR4G7357wIKVgG0vWapHP_l-IUU9LqRlO8CE0OQbUW3VnGmmiR1e4rGv4qbpkuqnlV0M8DmE766GGmRHtktSmTpbDvewsP0l0A63dJqXj/w708-h263/THE%20FP%20header.png" width="708" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Many have long lamented the dearth of original ideas coming from Hollywood, and rightfully so. Even the recent Oscars had to look to an independently produced film, <i>EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE AT ALL ONCE</i>, to give it's highest awards to.) So perhaps audiences seeking something fresh, just haven't been looking in the right place.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>THE FP</i> is nothing if not an original idea. The brainchild of it's monocular writer/director/star Jason Trost, the film (actually there's so far <i>four</i> films in the saga) is an irreverent dystopian science-fiction action comedy centered around two gangs who battle for control of the titular Frazier Park by, get this, competing in a video game called <i>Beat Beat Revelation</i> (think <i>Dance Dance Revolution</i> with added death by eletrocution for the loser and you aren't far off).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was happy to be requested personally by the director to create the outer packaging design for the Blu-ray collection of the film series. The film's colorful characters and quirky visual effects provided ready-made inspiration for my cover design. It was just a matter of fitting the disparate elements together into something cohesive while still representing the somewhat chaotic nature of the dream-like universe of the films. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">This is one of those cinematic experiences where afterward you mentally question what you remember seeing, because it's just so fancifully preposterous. But if you can open yourself up to something different and just go with the new flow, it's a rewarding venture. <i>Four</i> rewarding ventures.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Now was it <i>UP, UP, DOWN, RIGHT, RIGHT, LEFT, DOWN,</i> oh shi- *BZZZZZZZZZ* </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp6zC5wo2pd3iGDVHbV3nfyT7HsR1MLFOtdoQC8Er2duFuLbA1rxFZl_RZHAAznffk1ltZFqfc9YC8NeGQbpBhDWwQnESGgHBk3fFF1XBVHucCX6qRvnoCuJslMDUe2mxierWhEWaJDX3Qe3TdRdKdarkwwzaKNNsnD7UhvIkW0X3z5jwB2kgpwez5qgn/s1008/THE%20FP%20COLLECTION%20O-CARD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="870" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixp6zC5wo2pd3iGDVHbV3nfyT7HsR1MLFOtdoQC8Er2duFuLbA1rxFZl_RZHAAznffk1ltZFqfc9YC8NeGQbpBhDWwQnESGgHBk3fFF1XBVHucCX6qRvnoCuJslMDUe2mxierWhEWaJDX3Qe3TdRdKdarkwwzaKNNsnD7UhvIkW0X3z5jwB2kgpwez5qgn/w710-h870/THE%20FP%20COLLECTION%20O-CARD.png" width="710" /></a></p>Time to Chow down with Stephen.<div>Next time.<br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-41835759044457134782023-08-31T11:28:00.002-04:002023-08-31T11:50:44.156-04:00Dine In. Take out. Kick a$$! <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0qmy3wZMjyD9INKWI_-tKU1IntLb5nWPViDlZb1YvqejYIXbrw_O9f4YuAcSChFv4-jhylBduVbqILVWLRiduLnhEPHyzrpMrox9uFAIt50Xx3uJjgqKdtrMtWecD3090LTnk0-ODO1Cu11YKqhCMC2WNp8EknWEShfrXdfwOGhhzeX0BzAxdKCtk2BD/s1152/house%20of%20fangs%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0qmy3wZMjyD9INKWI_-tKU1IntLb5nWPViDlZb1YvqejYIXbrw_O9f4YuAcSChFv4-jhylBduVbqILVWLRiduLnhEPHyzrpMrox9uFAIt50Xx3uJjgqKdtrMtWecD3090LTnk0-ODO1Cu11YKqhCMC2WNp8EknWEShfrXdfwOGhhzeX0BzAxdKCtk2BD/w725-h270/house%20of%20fangs%20header.png" width="725" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a fun new film project currently in development. Actor and filmmaker Michael Worth (<i>KILLING CUPID</i>) is aiming to reunite a bevy of kung fu cinema laureates with his latest cinematic effort, <i>HOUSE OF FANGS.</i> The film will be a dark action-comedy that harkens back to the style and sensibilities conveyed in beloved martial arts titles from banners like Golden Harvest, Shaw Brothers and Seasonal Film Corporation, mixed with John Wick style gunplay and generously sprinkled with Tarrantino-style humor.</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Various veteran (amd modern) action actors are in talks, but the casting potentials include: Angela Mao Ying (<i>ENTER THE DRAGON</i>), Dragon Lee (<i>THE CLONES OF BRUCE LEE</i>), Bruce Le (<i>ENTER THE GAME OF DEATH</i>), Chiu Chi Ling (<i>DUEL OF THE 7 TIGERS</i>), Bruce Li (<i>BRUCE LEE, THE MAN, THE MYTH</i>), Don Wang Tao (T<i>HE HOT, THE COOL, AND THE VICIOUS</i>) and Bruce Leung (<i>KUNG FU HUSTL</i>E). Rounding out the casting hopefuls are Michael Dudikoff (<i>AMERICAN NINJA</i> franchise), Mark Dacascos (<i>ONLY THE STRONG</i>), Scott Adkins (<i>AVENGEMENT</i>), Dolph Lundgren (<i>THE EXPENDABLES</i> franchise) and Lorenzo Lamas (<i>SNAKE EATER</i> trilogy). That's a veritable dreamteam of action icons. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Worth is directing from his own script which is described as ‘DRAGON GATE INN meets JOHN WICK’ as a group of American assassins hiding out in a rural Chinese restaurant discover the owners of the establishment serve up much more than just good food!”. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The movie also reunites Worth with fellow action veteran Andy Cheng (<i>SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS</i>,<i> THE RUNDOWN</i>) following Isaac Florentine’s <i>U.S. SEALS 2: THE ULTIMATE FORCE</i> (2001), on which Cheng also served as fight choreographer.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For the teaser posters, my influence was an old 2-color ad for a Chinese restaraunt that was on the back cover of a multi-page newsprint flyer given out by the American Theater in Washington D.C. in 1988. This theater is where I enjoyed a Hong Kong double feature every Sunday evening. Best six bucks I ever spent. (Oddly enough, that exact restaurant is where I had dinner with several visiting HK movie actors years later, but that's another story.) </p><p style="text-align: justify;">If this sounds like the kind of movie you want to see. (And if not, you need your head examined.) Here's your chance to help make it a reality. Back it <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/house-of-fangs-return-of-1970s-kung-fu-film-stars#/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To Hell with another stale Hollywood rebooted remake or reimagined regurgitation. Drop by <i>HOUSE OF FANGS </i>for a steaming dish of fresh action served "piping hot". (Not to mention the tastiest dim sum in town.) </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here's the Heckler & Koch UMP-9 version:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH5Vn9Y3QMwat3u3Pe8iZo5gDbsgc4IqeZt6gOXdeeBkxr-RDr3DwVTPGXhEksS2kP6BGBPAgsHPNJPKGehVoOXHwlgwFQYfqTBluyUj1S11jihllj-G6kIe3dIp3K4EN23sLtLhBI3SbNeIhjtU0y_qzfP4C5k5qcSlMMKkfoomZy7hE-TO2895n2Ffq/s1008/HOUSE%20OF%20FANGS%20teaser%20poster%20long%20gun.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="677" height="1076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQH5Vn9Y3QMwat3u3Pe8iZo5gDbsgc4IqeZt6gOXdeeBkxr-RDr3DwVTPGXhEksS2kP6BGBPAgsHPNJPKGehVoOXHwlgwFQYfqTBluyUj1S11jihllj-G6kIe3dIp3K4EN23sLtLhBI3SbNeIhjtU0y_qzfP4C5k5qcSlMMKkfoomZy7hE-TO2895n2Ffq/w723-h1076/HOUSE%20OF%20FANGS%20teaser%20poster%20long%20gun.png" width="723" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And a Glock 19 version:<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTPQbcbl5J-Nbem1k4AwwUISCnSJT8IAPfLEnKNYyLiyfCS_Ot3sVRAQ8GcXJUjaCjlUjace5_VUmJ8Zf1GtZvK_QpH2GtIF72sILg0cREOqoCWImPOceUEwkLEoq5O9RXfTTYa57RzvPUHqtXBI02PM9P2_uRhicsH4P-rZpqk5o259lWrNeAU3uz00C/s1008/HOUSE%20OF%20FANGS%20teaser%20poster%20hand%20gun.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="677" height="1077" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTPQbcbl5J-Nbem1k4AwwUISCnSJT8IAPfLEnKNYyLiyfCS_Ot3sVRAQ8GcXJUjaCjlUjace5_VUmJ8Zf1GtZvK_QpH2GtIF72sILg0cREOqoCWImPOceUEwkLEoq5O9RXfTTYa57RzvPUHqtXBI02PM9P2_uRhicsH4P-rZpqk5o259lWrNeAU3uz00C/w724-h1077/HOUSE%20OF%20FANGS%20teaser%20poster%20hand%20gun.png" width="724" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Double swords version:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApLzAaVFCagAl5oaUbBMsUXw_MptE5S31x6WxrR0ew54gHW0Vzv0uamW2TxOPH4OHVTJBpXAyhfEip8fNHkfKlw_OxOetSLI3IRjnnN0iFDhbiykKH8vld1tqy5yx7FJoA4za3MRM-5D1a4FpFWqR1sjFvUa4rQcRNkofJV5A7cqB8N94Q4DrMRRpxB1-/s1008/HOUSE%20OF%20FANGS%20teaser%20poster%20swords.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="677" height="1081" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApLzAaVFCagAl5oaUbBMsUXw_MptE5S31x6WxrR0ew54gHW0Vzv0uamW2TxOPH4OHVTJBpXAyhfEip8fNHkfKlw_OxOetSLI3IRjnnN0iFDhbiykKH8vld1tqy5yx7FJoA4za3MRM-5D1a4FpFWqR1sjFvUa4rQcRNkofJV5A7cqB8N94Q4DrMRRpxB1-/w724-h1081/HOUSE%20OF%20FANGS%20teaser%20poster%20swords.png" width="724" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Again, check it out </span><a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/house-of-fangs-return-of-1970s-kung-fu-film-stars#/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a><span>! </span><span style="text-align: left;">Catch you nex time.</span></div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-27901020354636188112023-08-30T16:13:00.002-04:002023-08-30T16:16:10.476-04:00She Shoots Straight<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mlWV1mrFpj_236lpTXUj6GaP4_CdHyNzrP4REA8Iai0tkjIrwXkNTamIkteCcRLJGd0fFJJGK_u2ihb9iwKAV3ta4NOQGtTrfuScrcSq9qcyzeUUZoEWwa-PYqzYUjWeM1Tpf0f-i16B65NpqRZ2Wn7yP-hN0PlTEPp5K2utTcBrhI7SKovNXJqgG89R/s1152/she%20shoots%20straight%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3mlWV1mrFpj_236lpTXUj6GaP4_CdHyNzrP4REA8Iai0tkjIrwXkNTamIkteCcRLJGd0fFJJGK_u2ihb9iwKAV3ta4NOQGtTrfuScrcSq9qcyzeUUZoEWwa-PYqzYUjWeM1Tpf0f-i16B65NpqRZ2Wn7yP-hN0PlTEPp5K2utTcBrhI7SKovNXJqgG89R/w727-h270/she%20shoots%20straight%20header.png" width="727" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I created this piece of key art for the 1990 Hong Kong action film <i>SHE SHOOTS STRAIGHT</i> (aka <i>LETHAL LADY</i>). This Corey Yuen-directed film was a starring role for rising action starlet (and Sammo hung's future wife) Joyce Mina Godenzi. The half Chinese, half Australian beauty was the 1984 Miss HK pageant winner who, like many others before and since, transitioned her talents into acting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Under the tutelage of action master Sammo Hung, Joyce appeared and later starred in a handful of films in the late 1980s and early 1990s before retiring from showbiz. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Hung's 1987 action masterpiece <i>EASTERN CONDORS</i>. Godenzi and Hung wed in 1995 and she had a small cameo in Jackie Chan's 1997 film <i>MR. NICE GUY</i>, directed by her husband and shot in Australia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzAtL5XRtBatKHtnQ_1T7OBdFSui9rdo-ZPmTYbBTnoThL645aDU_3kw9VbKO5o5C2Y1hl2KcerywCVsSp0p_rBLpOwpgoAo8K0pDrwQEinn7W_5k8Gr80gHI7Pfs2OCFf296MWRPSqBxhm_0DtjtotGG0WdcjBLsxdc6yzXeFk0jm5CXJ_SqMr7_fk_U/s864/SHE%20SHOOTS%20STRAIGHT_BOOK%20FRONT%20COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="723" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzAtL5XRtBatKHtnQ_1T7OBdFSui9rdo-ZPmTYbBTnoThL645aDU_3kw9VbKO5o5C2Y1hl2KcerywCVsSp0p_rBLpOwpgoAo8K0pDrwQEinn7W_5k8Gr80gHI7Pfs2OCFf296MWRPSqBxhm_0DtjtotGG0WdcjBLsxdc6yzXeFk0jm5CXJ_SqMr7_fk_U/s320/SHE%20SHOOTS%20STRAIGHT_BOOK%20FRONT%20COVER.png" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>SHE SHOOTS STRAIGHT</i> is Joyce at the peak of her powers as an action actress. Her brutal climactic battle with American-born Filipina bodybuilder, Agnes Aurelio, is legendary. And they even got a rematch in <i>LICENSE TO STEEL</i>. The wonderful cast features "big" Tony Leung Ka-fai, Carina Lau, Yuen Wah, Chung Fat, and even Sammo himself in a small role. (Even Mark Houghton gets a brief cameo.) Eagle-eyed viewers may even spot cameos from Amy Yip and Isabella Chow who a year later would blaze across cinema screens in the hit Cat III film S<i>EX AND ZEN</i>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The films rarely slows down, has a bit more dramatic depth than these types of films are normally afforded and is a lot of fun. That high energy is what I attempted to capture in my cover art. Everybody gets their bit of action while Hung oversees the carnage. Bullets and fists fly in equal measure. And, trust me, you wouldn't want to be in the way of either one. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvsYUph1h7ESD69wS1VlwCFrX8le-tZHq1KDaUbfV0TfZ70KVWZPOn1LWAYwQ4J7csTSrMMXdawhobuJDWbvQUV_Yi703vWw91xme_FPtJNcmu-ssSq-BsqGA-PImCClD3Gh8AFI8O6NOMrN56DtlWLzoNNUlACvoGTucs-Cwrl7lIoUJyQnehJI_nCGv/s1008/SHE%20SHOOTS%20STRAIGHT_O-CARD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="895" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvsYUph1h7ESD69wS1VlwCFrX8le-tZHq1KDaUbfV0TfZ70KVWZPOn1LWAYwQ4J7csTSrMMXdawhobuJDWbvQUV_Yi703vWw91xme_FPtJNcmu-ssSq-BsqGA-PImCClD3Gh8AFI8O6NOMrN56DtlWLzoNNUlACvoGTucs-Cwrl7lIoUJyQnehJI_nCGv/w730-h895/SHE%20SHOOTS%20STRAIGHT_O-CARD.png" width="730" /></a></div>Next up. Too old to rock n' roll, but too young to die? There's trouble in town. Time to raid the martial arts retirment home and get the band back together for one last bash. That's NEXT time.<p></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-8231358867813601532023-07-31T16:46:00.001-04:002023-07-31T16:46:04.708-04:00The Fury of Rothrock<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGTEjdZVX2yyYAV2lUEobY2aSMg5L3JnBGDVHUc7xFcGv22NXtjT_Cm26hNnxbM9dIXdbAxad0745ylSethdgVyatxPX3gpnubCR0OW2Fiw3ohxotTdWbmItzQkqmlbREFbIX-f8TvhD7cyHiaZeTFLMycb8hP91MFJTSfE2VhJBD2uKbVnqYaEOKvtKv/s1152/THE%20BLONDE%20FURY%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGTEjdZVX2yyYAV2lUEobY2aSMg5L3JnBGDVHUc7xFcGv22NXtjT_Cm26hNnxbM9dIXdbAxad0745ylSethdgVyatxPX3gpnubCR0OW2Fiw3ohxotTdWbmItzQkqmlbREFbIX-f8TvhD7cyHiaZeTFLMycb8hP91MFJTSfE2VhJBD2uKbVnqYaEOKvtKv/w744-h276/THE%20BLONDE%20FURY%20header.png" width="744" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Cynthia Rothrock has the unique distinction of being possibly the only American actor to get her cinematic start in Hong Kong action films. A superior athlete, Rothrock segued her status as the undefeated World Champion in Martial Arts Forms and Weapons into a equally successful career in the world of action filmmaking. After several popular martial arts action films in Hong Kong she now primarily works on US productions as an actor, writer and producer.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT99GE24SCSMVKcR-zfwzX1dg8SLVejmt65JkWRV6niIz8EPr-AxBDo0AcyR4ikpXw50cn3AUNsbJf2wpwuzPbCpzShlbvthkhe8P5G4P6X6DEx7fyRbfxgNTiW9YEgJbIE59JHLSBLTZDIgHXOm-M9ZVj3nDrkQWBTsDIFV6ERxW8NyQyKqw4oELh2tOT/s1300/THE%20BONDE%20FURY%20english%20title.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="668" data-original-width="1300" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT99GE24SCSMVKcR-zfwzX1dg8SLVejmt65JkWRV6niIz8EPr-AxBDo0AcyR4ikpXw50cn3AUNsbJf2wpwuzPbCpzShlbvthkhe8P5G4P6X6DEx7fyRbfxgNTiW9YEgJbIE59JHLSBLTZDIgHXOm-M9ZVj3nDrkQWBTsDIFV6ERxW8NyQyKqw4oELh2tOT/w230-h118/THE%20BONDE%20FURY%20english%20title.png" width="230" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1989 after appearing in various supporting action roles, HK juggernaut studio Golden Harvest gave Cynthia the lead role in an action comedy called <i>THE BLONDE FURY</i> (retitled <i>LADY REPORTER</i> for the export market). I won't go into details of the fragmented production schedule, but the final result is a thoroughly pleasing romp full of exciting set pieces and ernest performances. These Hong Kong performers truly risk life and limb for our "popcorn entertainment".</div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Commissioned to do the remastered Blu-ray package, I endeavored to capture that late 80's visual aethestic (right down to the "VHS sticker") while still making the art feel vibrant and fresh. The movie is a bit "all over the place", and so is the cover art. Her name above the title is sharpie marker on masking tape. Perhaps a little bit "punk". The film did not have a strong marketing campaign upon it's initial release so I was free to come up with my own vibe.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_D-lSBZ57yQuh-ylfxznFPm0uwK-NqZD6kbdQa0znebsKZ8R0nyluZgOeZsJBTgdv-iN2LXxUgfDztoBnorBBQ5EdlI8HWwD14a5SD7W0zvn1FbiZ0fEt8X3gnzTV7s0Qrb03s4lGkxm4ATMtEmp_FBUOpaAgvpdNabEVmRGKhQb94zPGC5xH2pm1BUt/s1008/THE%20BONDE%20FURY%20o-card.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_D-lSBZ57yQuh-ylfxznFPm0uwK-NqZD6kbdQa0znebsKZ8R0nyluZgOeZsJBTgdv-iN2LXxUgfDztoBnorBBQ5EdlI8HWwD14a5SD7W0zvn1FbiZ0fEt8X3gnzTV7s0Qrb03s4lGkxm4ATMtEmp_FBUOpaAgvpdNabEVmRGKhQb94zPGC5xH2pm1BUt/w739-h906/THE%20BONDE%20FURY%20o-card.png" width="739" /></a></div><br /> The booklet cover art carries forward the same visual theme.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ68K_d_yKMD4SSnO_4n_CCJtV1lKrm0lYWhvy5jnqUNpapxBd9p9hTQOiewsg2lDU-i6Xl1GXDjsJuKBee9Sj0xruhFaL9rdbrho03m_DoDJ_LE79KztvPuM_C1ERHN_jPTNnBMzQYqD0Bku44BLU3Io7b8rRgWsPaPtVaJxscBCY2u6p8y_hHrIqL5G/s977/THE%20BLONDE%20FURY_BOOKLET%20COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="821" height="880" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ68K_d_yKMD4SSnO_4n_CCJtV1lKrm0lYWhvy5jnqUNpapxBd9p9hTQOiewsg2lDU-i6Xl1GXDjsJuKBee9Sj0xruhFaL9rdbrho03m_DoDJ_LE79KztvPuM_C1ERHN_jPTNnBMzQYqD0Bku44BLU3Io7b8rRgWsPaPtVaJxscBCY2u6p8y_hHrIqL5G/w740-h880/THE%20BLONDE%20FURY_BOOKLET%20COVER.png" width="740" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">We'll continue the <i>"ladies kickin' ass"</i> theme next time with another popular film in the Hong kong <i>girls with guns</i> action subgenre.</p><p></p><p></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-9700235869651105422023-07-30T16:40:00.000-04:002023-07-30T16:40:07.692-04:00The Canton Boxer<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYS5GrDS_Lq7LAczScBrKNJk6M216Y_BBanh7L1p_LFe4xrdfnIkiTutkem32VhBkPqTdTJT_0tlJruVKlRE50d5V9uD9tyUBXVZlZjbK9XhRUSk5vQIldWJiYNEgF8srkXhINxHOd5ci8sq8HGt9Cd1shJr4tY3wzFhwfSvF8LSeNQh_qEQwm2XmDM2wN/s1152/THE%20SKYHAWK%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYS5GrDS_Lq7LAczScBrKNJk6M216Y_BBanh7L1p_LFe4xrdfnIkiTutkem32VhBkPqTdTJT_0tlJruVKlRE50d5V9uD9tyUBXVZlZjbK9XhRUSk5vQIldWJiYNEgF8srkXhINxHOd5ci8sq8HGt9Cd1shJr4tY3wzFhwfSvF8LSeNQh_qEQwm2XmDM2wN/w756-h281/THE%20SKYHAWK%20header.png" width="756" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>THE SKYHAWK</i> is a 1974 martial arts film, unique in the fact that in acts as a bridge of sorts. A passing of the "action movie torch". It stars a veteran superstar actor (nearly 70 year-old Kwan Tak-hing who had already portrayed folk hero Wong Fei-hung in about as many films) passed his prime but still kicking, along side up-and-coming superstar Sammo Hung, and powerhouse action actors Carter Wong, Hwang In-shik and even Nora Miao.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Luckily the film lives up to it pedigree. Packed with memorable action set pieces and lots of emotion, it stills thrills action fans today, while hinting at the lofty heights Hung would achieve in the decade to come.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For the cover art I followed the same visual template I designed for a previous series of kung fu/wuxia films from this period. It features larger than life villian, Hwan In-shik, menacing in a blue color theme with our weaponless heroes huddled in the center.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E314XkzJq7XNaSTwYtEuQjpca89zhg8WTrz9p5gd-IZntEoyMzQag9v0QETpWFVAuo5lE0re26a-LLBlYdzeszrMAE14ko1hzq7_xQY4a99017Hejg5shc9yOsJ-LXA1N_U_uQzD8CgdrjACV6dYaMQLjKRD8i5CGrqSIhBWyVRtp1tngxU1uOJwadX3/s1008/THE%20SKYHAWK_O-CARD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="926" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6E314XkzJq7XNaSTwYtEuQjpca89zhg8WTrz9p5gd-IZntEoyMzQag9v0QETpWFVAuo5lE0re26a-LLBlYdzeszrMAE14ko1hzq7_xQY4a99017Hejg5shc9yOsJ-LXA1N_U_uQzD8CgdrjACV6dYaMQLjKRD8i5CGrqSIhBWyVRtp1tngxU1uOJwadX3/w757-h926/THE%20SKYHAWK_O-CARD.png" width="757" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The booklet cover design shows our heroes walking toward their final showdown amongst the ruins of a Thai temple, rendered in a shilouetted minimalistic style. Why can't they make movie like this anymore?</div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTh-q2gPCkUoH_wAnTFCUMhCKPzaLKLBVrIZZtOCAaoGSbjqMt-K50oIxpiadWXgsfc-aV54xhZ-hSq8kslVeVst2Id2DGtp1ba0fm7lgKJwGzS_-6cSQI1LNiOobncRoIIZ6Vg9veyYrPyvZVZ_LdHY8eRhprrZ2qv0KjJ42z41KlRPsOtTzwIvFO3sc/s1008/THE%20SKYHAWK_booklet%20cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="843" height="905" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTh-q2gPCkUoH_wAnTFCUMhCKPzaLKLBVrIZZtOCAaoGSbjqMt-K50oIxpiadWXgsfc-aV54xhZ-hSq8kslVeVst2Id2DGtp1ba0fm7lgKJwGzS_-6cSQI1LNiOobncRoIIZ6Vg9veyYrPyvZVZ_LdHY8eRhprrZ2qv0KjJ42z41KlRPsOtTzwIvFO3sc/w758-h905/THE%20SKYHAWK_booklet%20cover.png" width="758" /></a></div><p></p><p>Next up. The blonde fury herself, Cynthia Rothrock, gets her due in a starring role.</p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-22517079312756659162023-06-26T18:46:00.000-04:002023-06-26T18:46:03.501-04:00The Dragon Remembered<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcY_ZCtm1Wti7Hjaf7XN8rkTqQnMM3nfgeWnli6je9WXyd_a4LttRPyd4GhL5Zvl6u1HLk1wVDBJ9Za_Ph2saLZ4Pm2E59UEHwlfsIesMxzJFi5AkYcZNSLkVElydudwdYIIGBPY33MzKWzHzYHoE1pOSIk-yDKJMAEI3fG3nxGHYpe_M9o88GUpjcr7K/s1152/the%20dragon%20remembered.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcY_ZCtm1Wti7Hjaf7XN8rkTqQnMM3nfgeWnli6je9WXyd_a4LttRPyd4GhL5Zvl6u1HLk1wVDBJ9Za_Ph2saLZ4Pm2E59UEHwlfsIesMxzJFi5AkYcZNSLkVElydudwdYIIGBPY33MzKWzHzYHoE1pOSIk-yDKJMAEI3fG3nxGHYpe_M9o88GUpjcr7K/w761-h283/the%20dragon%20remembered.png" width="761" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This year, 2023, marks a milestone in the history of kung fu cinema. It's now been fifty years since the release of Bruce Lee's 1973 seminal martial arts classic, ENTER THE DRAGON<i>. </i>The film was not only a financial success at the time, but was equally influential to subsequent action films and television programs. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bruce was in the middle of producing his magnum opus, GAME OF DEATH, when Warner Brothers offered him his first starring roll in an American film. So he paused his work on that film and made BLOOD AND STEEL (which he demanded by retitled ENTER THE DRAGON). </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Sadly, his untimely death right before the release of this film also meant he never got to fully expereince this new global adulation, or have the chance to complete GAME OF DEATH in Hong Kong. Just as Lee broke thru to worldwide stardom, his burgeoning career, and his life, abruptly ended. Aged just thirty-two. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was commissioned to produce some artwork for the cover of a retrospective look back at Bruce's Hollywood starring debut. Although the full-color image was utilized, two alternate monochromatic versions were also produced. (see below)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCIZQy94D0f1skprdxa1h0rcjCjN7Z73_BDfxqHSP3YUD3_oql4a0Ysbwiq8Ti75hOnZtXAQIumO7VN7VXVMafkr6bNeTZXAa0qqYcHDw0bN30KTU9SuEvtA8vf0C3NvSLHhgD3tQM128I9t7bFRyRXlHlLWtLsDXY8wMC1WRt8FdjwUaGVglGCmqE5YI/s1341/ENTER%20THE%20DRAGON%20cover%201%20FULL%20COLOR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1004" height="1010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfCIZQy94D0f1skprdxa1h0rcjCjN7Z73_BDfxqHSP3YUD3_oql4a0Ysbwiq8Ti75hOnZtXAQIumO7VN7VXVMafkr6bNeTZXAa0qqYcHDw0bN30KTU9SuEvtA8vf0C3NvSLHhgD3tQM128I9t7bFRyRXlHlLWtLsDXY8wMC1WRt8FdjwUaGVglGCmqE5YI/w758-h1010/ENTER%20THE%20DRAGON%20cover%201%20FULL%20COLOR.png" width="758" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ2mcbA0uCKFXCq2jNE2NENPNOxYIR8VxqMM98vMV1-525CyRG8AT5-WQG5V18dVJ6wnnWUFISvQNaFwfi9-B_7LcNFKPI-VD4itM7IkEQ20OpG5lxcK6qwDMAJF17-EAw0_UrVDfwfAT6ZTjdQh0IcyfcWzr-r8rF3r0p_C_fOvoEZx8E9dSIDHtsxQ1/s1341/ENTER%20THE%20DRAGON%20cover%201%20GOLD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1004" height="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJ2mcbA0uCKFXCq2jNE2NENPNOxYIR8VxqMM98vMV1-525CyRG8AT5-WQG5V18dVJ6wnnWUFISvQNaFwfi9-B_7LcNFKPI-VD4itM7IkEQ20OpG5lxcK6qwDMAJF17-EAw0_UrVDfwfAT6ZTjdQh0IcyfcWzr-r8rF3r0p_C_fOvoEZx8E9dSIDHtsxQ1/w757-h1008/ENTER%20THE%20DRAGON%20cover%201%20GOLD.png" width="757" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9m-bBuM9hF6OX1GyghgKRmNIax0GHszCzCUku2-wEM9d38utfS7fX4-VXW64w4RNX2lCw_jHiA9nOe9YyblMJ0Xzus7l7aewwBjqW3a0MlgGchCnH57TukWnn1EcDL-K9s4jnlGg_x99reRnXR1CJ7v3tUj3kKi84vNr0Gp_TBSUaSs0-9gSqe-ffB78/s1341/ENTER%20THE%20DRAGON%20cover%201%20SILVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1005" height="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9m-bBuM9hF6OX1GyghgKRmNIax0GHszCzCUku2-wEM9d38utfS7fX4-VXW64w4RNX2lCw_jHiA9nOe9YyblMJ0Xzus7l7aewwBjqW3a0MlgGchCnH57TukWnn1EcDL-K9s4jnlGg_x99reRnXR1CJ7v3tUj3kKi84vNr0Gp_TBSUaSs0-9gSqe-ffB78/w757-h1008/ENTER%20THE%20DRAGON%20cover%201%20SILVER.png" width="757" /></a></div><br /><div>Bruce Lee cast a long shadow. We explore what has happened in those shadows, and see what the legendary Sammo Hung was up to the following year. Next time.</div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-11353354729491946322023-06-22T19:12:00.003-04:002023-06-22T21:20:33.077-04:00Remember. Revisit. Respect.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9-z2-5dOE4hyyg4nxbvAeObKk2yERui9xCSejrZHE3lwf-yavkqfytx06gRF0te5jwVBpK8MGBkTBBQNzGTMNgo4oRbHlDtX6X_2zr6pRl4jolP52ACYtVyIwB3Qm19S9WQ-p5Lr7nijTQXDgbonePE2rnJFxUYSd3tovJQbDE3OzgnrhdiBnVVParci/s1152/remember%20revisit%20respect.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9-z2-5dOE4hyyg4nxbvAeObKk2yERui9xCSejrZHE3lwf-yavkqfytx06gRF0te5jwVBpK8MGBkTBBQNzGTMNgo4oRbHlDtX6X_2zr6pRl4jolP52ACYtVyIwB3Qm19S9WQ-p5Lr7nijTQXDgbonePE2rnJFxUYSd3tovJQbDE3OzgnrhdiBnVVParci/w748-h277/remember%20revisit%20respect.jpg" width="748" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Late last year I was comissioned to create a poster for a new documentary which celebrates Bruce Lee's first major film role, 1971's <i>THE BIG BOSS</i>. The doc locates and revisits the surviving filming locations in Thailand as they exist now. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Usually my clients for Blu-ray movie covers offer no direction. <i>"Can you make us a cover for such-and-such film by next Friday?". </i>But this time, my brief directed me to use this iconic shot of Bruce from the film as the focus image. (As well as incorporate the required text.) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YTC7KN2MVGB-iOw5e-Qd1F76AI5w96i4Zuf46RHSn8uNevlGRTI_ZC0DnP1JRD1tryPulY0YryAqBfL2gYgPe0NUsMrF5-LysCZzU2RC4_A0_Q2WCGIdRYQZRaywLU5U2Anh5qqPGKwsybh8lJHbdefOkvkhQ4PxMt2oHKo00KKI3rL7jnj2SwJDg_U8/s1100/THE%20BIG%20BOSS%20-%20RTT%20-%20title%20only.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="1100" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YTC7KN2MVGB-iOw5e-Qd1F76AI5w96i4Zuf46RHSn8uNevlGRTI_ZC0DnP1JRD1tryPulY0YryAqBfL2gYgPe0NUsMrF5-LysCZzU2RC4_A0_Q2WCGIdRYQZRaywLU5U2Anh5qqPGKwsybh8lJHbdefOkvkhQ4PxMt2oHKo00KKI3rL7jnj2SwJDg_U8/w213-h152/THE%20BIG%20BOSS%20-%20RTT%20-%20title%20only.png" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">So my main concern, given the similar title, was to avoid confusion and clearly convey that this is NOT a poster for <i>THE BIG BOSS</i>, but a new documentary <b><i>about</i></b> <i>THE BIG BOSS</i>. So to that end I "watermarked" the background with many behind-the-scenes photos from the film. And pulled one such image to the forefront in the lower left corner. One in gold and a second version in blue.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I created a title font for the film, similar to the bold red original, but now distressed as if from age, set against a muted silhouetted Thai landscape. For added interest I included a familiar black shape of Lee performing his famous jumping kick from the film's finale. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLha5zJb1s8pFhfyjwWNAyfiDKYpkT7RKAv8HzWwvGHEG-6OdewxZY41tkgDx1hilR2GAXZWtHv8A4b4aL807jzsrbsQ0ldF8wNiuM6UVZd9vJDSCEf6O4tG46R0WYsEwbnGlDQfnNgucyoqTyUD1kHjKeLUbiUaka4mgPnj8MfhtWPd5rHd-pFly3vdf/s1162/THE%20BIG%20BOSS%20-%20RTT%20-%20RGB%20poster%20gold%20corner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="821" height="1055" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLha5zJb1s8pFhfyjwWNAyfiDKYpkT7RKAv8HzWwvGHEG-6OdewxZY41tkgDx1hilR2GAXZWtHv8A4b4aL807jzsrbsQ0ldF8wNiuM6UVZd9vJDSCEf6O4tG46R0WYsEwbnGlDQfnNgucyoqTyUD1kHjKeLUbiUaka4mgPnj8MfhtWPd5rHd-pFly3vdf/w746-h1055/THE%20BIG%20BOSS%20-%20RTT%20-%20RGB%20poster%20gold%20corner.jpg" width="746" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Below is the less common blue variant.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHCivPV-JZmSpeJIadqSIkG51IB9nySDd9wyfgoqkxEDwyA6Nh81-G40eAtJmej7zljDfCRwREvUmRP7HsZWokytgEJP7swmFj5XL9Ti1mySlWL8JYVduntJvNmv8nw3EWolTHP7QPDOrmsE08y7_S4r-GRAnpuKAMzo8kCEeltvJqgW2UfGYyaN8N36C/s1162/THE%20BIG%20BOSS%20-%20RTT%20-%20RGB%20JPG%20poster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="821" height="1058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHCivPV-JZmSpeJIadqSIkG51IB9nySDd9wyfgoqkxEDwyA6Nh81-G40eAtJmej7zljDfCRwREvUmRP7HsZWokytgEJP7swmFj5XL9Ti1mySlWL8JYVduntJvNmv8nw3EWolTHP7QPDOrmsE08y7_S4r-GRAnpuKAMzo8kCEeltvJqgW2UfGYyaN8N36C/w747-h1058/THE%20BIG%20BOSS%20-%20RTT%20-%20RGB%20JPG%20poster.jpg" width="747" /></a></div><br /><div>This year is an important one for Bruce Lee fans, as it marks a milestone. We shall dig deeper into that <i>next </i>time as we continue the Celebration of Bruce Lee. Would that make it a "Cele-Bruce-tion"?</div><div>*sigh*</div><div>I'll show myself out. </div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-62965833409771192092023-05-17T19:09:00.004-04:002023-05-17T19:09:47.650-04:00Going Mad<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBVyZXQwWy3fhyiHkw1hY05KI1qC8k4fgtPjQQ6jJIPbySAjkSCkAkWi1YcmrVaz729CVcZ95SJDWPRbPkZheGd252xcWCW3E_vjky9AcVZNqPbszy8hOMf4ku9ui4cN81lCcr91tdRS0MiIbpXAd0lW5OZ1jyrKDZ_6qYVZcZpzprzKD5Voy0wIvNg/s1152/HOPPING%20MAD%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQBVyZXQwWy3fhyiHkw1hY05KI1qC8k4fgtPjQQ6jJIPbySAjkSCkAkWi1YcmrVaz729CVcZ95SJDWPRbPkZheGd252xcWCW3E_vjky9AcVZNqPbszy8hOMf4ku9ui4cN81lCcr91tdRS0MiIbpXAd0lW5OZ1jyrKDZ_6qYVZcZpzprzKD5Voy0wIvNg/w742-h275/HOPPING%20MAD%20header.png" width="742" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are two diametrically opposed ways to approach designing packaging for a film franchise boxed set.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Find a simple iconic image that can embody the entire cinematic saga — For instance, this could be a lone X-Wing Fighter approaching the Death Star for the <i><b>Star Wars </b></i>saga.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or... attempt to represent ALL the main (and some supporting) characters of each film in the collection, crowded together into one busy composition.</span></li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;">Personally, I prefer the simple elegance of the former, but feedback indicated film fans wanted the later. So chaos rules and madness is the order of the day. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The art style and color palette is a continuation of what I used for a series of similar films such as the first <i>MR. VAMPIRE</i>, <i>THE DEAD AND THE DEADLY</i>, and <i>ENCOUNTER OF THE SPOOKY KIND</i>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The four horror-comedy films collected for this presentation (<i>MR. VAMPIRE II</i>, <i>MR. VAMPIRE III</i>, <i>MR. VAMPIRE SAGA IV</i>, and <i>VAMPIRE VS. VAMPIRE</i>) are thematically connected by the jiangshi (hopping Chinese vampire) genre, </span>with some reoccurring cast and crew. In typical Hong Kong fashion they are sequels in name only, without repeating characters or any over-arching storyline. Regardless, the films are a lot of goofy fun, and are prime examples of this uniquely Hong Kong film genre made during the original jiangshi boom of the 1980s. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fVwjlo1g5VtIBTepo-33XQwF8LeC2Vsuv3iwtyf_VIJDiB0D2cpyK_KHRoQNfI_f6G7ttfaHop1sfHGuaRG7gmRM6GdHFKLbHzsZyCZOzlly6tpeV_K4qW7dW1qJ8oydE_fAasbvMxOzW9hIfxfbu1n1WSfYenkfCeaeFKaitnXqB0qtkIPT6NRY7w/s1008/HOPPING%20MAD-O-CARD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="912" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fVwjlo1g5VtIBTepo-33XQwF8LeC2Vsuv3iwtyf_VIJDiB0D2cpyK_KHRoQNfI_f6G7ttfaHop1sfHGuaRG7gmRM6GdHFKLbHzsZyCZOzlly6tpeV_K4qW7dW1qJ8oydE_fAasbvMxOzW9hIfxfbu1n1WSfYenkfCeaeFKaitnXqB0qtkIPT6NRY7w/w744-h912/HOPPING%20MAD-O-CARD.png" width="744" /></a></div><p>The essay booklet cover art features a jiangshi rendered immobile by a prayer scroll attached to his brow. A familiar sight in all of these types of films. This is an example of a more minimal design approach.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj79Uxrm1aFQ3FQgcOQmoyiOYJEds0cvvEf7tH81EcHxMLHGt5Wmffhqm9-alWvofmxcV93PtDJ0YdnpXLN0MG00Xx5jE9oTG8Y1p2lCqAgLBFkgEASUKdNx01RJhEJpO-0YKcVUYJnq8jK6CkZ5IYsaa7WafxQWwFVdX01S6djiN-9JjRMEzjwhyxw/s1008/HOPPING%20MAD%20book%20cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="840" height="893" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpj79Uxrm1aFQ3FQgcOQmoyiOYJEds0cvvEf7tH81EcHxMLHGt5Wmffhqm9-alWvofmxcV93PtDJ0YdnpXLN0MG00Xx5jE9oTG8Y1p2lCqAgLBFkgEASUKdNx01RJhEJpO-0YKcVUYJnq8jK6CkZ5IYsaa7WafxQWwFVdX01S6djiN-9JjRMEzjwhyxw/w745-h893/HOPPING%20MAD%20book%20cover.png" width="745" /></a></div><p>I also designed menu backgrounds for each film, but I don't know if they were used.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDwOozktfqCr-OR1l3QbMs6NL5EGrYRfsQR-qb4Q4tMjwbydumAiuur7nukR78riYsGjKdTihV7zxxQX5p9uxkyVQ4egPmQZWSN-jg-Vonw8A0fp2pl7ffmauw-ipHuRcAuNHPcVh0kN88Ce1d3DTpNa4QIbNtCCm7hDzww8KZA5PVfQp-RGioDXwlQ/s1920/mr%20vampire%202%20menu%20bg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDwOozktfqCr-OR1l3QbMs6NL5EGrYRfsQR-qb4Q4tMjwbydumAiuur7nukR78riYsGjKdTihV7zxxQX5p9uxkyVQ4egPmQZWSN-jg-Vonw8A0fp2pl7ffmauw-ipHuRcAuNHPcVh0kN88Ce1d3DTpNa4QIbNtCCm7hDzww8KZA5PVfQp-RGioDXwlQ/w521-h293/mr%20vampire%202%20menu%20bg.png" width="521" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJTOQD4cbAW7HSYfNgPok_RLZPR4vt34CaF9UgHtMa4GJOAdGE0HVscJoNG4EfsQZiL7ZMZ9jZU5rmKM3ITfEvW2kfT7NzXWjpSjpgDDaDpBTxPbYZ8vieodaXScOMGpqACJXrCnSEQVQjdhBAxiWmXZMq-35ioUfdB1DRH1_Jls66crcD6OvwxnkNw/s1920/mr%20vampire%203%20menu%20bg%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJTOQD4cbAW7HSYfNgPok_RLZPR4vt34CaF9UgHtMa4GJOAdGE0HVscJoNG4EfsQZiL7ZMZ9jZU5rmKM3ITfEvW2kfT7NzXWjpSjpgDDaDpBTxPbYZ8vieodaXScOMGpqACJXrCnSEQVQjdhBAxiWmXZMq-35ioUfdB1DRH1_Jls66crcD6OvwxnkNw/w515-h289/mr%20vampire%203%20menu%20bg%202.png" width="515" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLpZew6PyFI7JIOy06zce6E2C-Xu6E-6KyPMSU0GifwCIsPIEjVs7-8iRT4MCkFrKfVNV5n31Q-RlJAGZyhdXATKQKq93o0I5XfvK3up9IeioScN4RdhX6YcV5aKVkajBD-Urc-vRMXGG7CefzKpzW-qoCrvSNeC1Dhbnsf_8KgZWey3T4N-3JbqQ9Q/s1920/mr%20vampire%20saga%204%20menu%20bg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLpZew6PyFI7JIOy06zce6E2C-Xu6E-6KyPMSU0GifwCIsPIEjVs7-8iRT4MCkFrKfVNV5n31Q-RlJAGZyhdXATKQKq93o0I5XfvK3up9IeioScN4RdhX6YcV5aKVkajBD-Urc-vRMXGG7CefzKpzW-qoCrvSNeC1Dhbnsf_8KgZWey3T4N-3JbqQ9Q/w517-h291/mr%20vampire%20saga%204%20menu%20bg.png" width="517" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKFPiKAzoWtbEom5qcS15PMxBp6RRrtl3prxChbhVWpCOJ9MVox9Pr80LGmS0UWYGacXV3gmcjoIFs-qAepJTT-Pl7yvo5UHzzoqJXrPEXxHDLAJtVAKDbSkkXq5egeLfaUhZSUlQ0kJQ4rS4V-aUseohDhzSWSJShmDwfg23p84ZvaQuBOn61OBQAw/s1920/vampire%20vs%20vampire%20menu%20bg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKFPiKAzoWtbEom5qcS15PMxBp6RRrtl3prxChbhVWpCOJ9MVox9Pr80LGmS0UWYGacXV3gmcjoIFs-qAepJTT-Pl7yvo5UHzzoqJXrPEXxHDLAJtVAKDbSkkXq5egeLfaUhZSUlQ0kJQ4rS4V-aUseohDhzSWSJShmDwfg23p84ZvaQuBOn61OBQAw/w513-h289/vampire%20vs%20vampire%20menu%20bg.png" width="513" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That's all for today. Catch me next time... for something new.</div><br />Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-40345827256029724942023-05-15T18:20:00.000-04:002023-05-15T18:20:15.958-04:00Becoming Jackie Chan<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdpRP4acNE05LyuZrOuC5DpCd-ViTrYd9cmCDYVKPXGLHxAcEXEr260LMJoYmyWQxkEwQ-As4OiN3mjQJHBvUnwIEUXzQWt5pVVZGqglwvke5ug3gJqU5jdR63WAAF9hcGj_sxFmT6ncpgMMy564_m_QuD_AeKFZoYM2jwCcJNj9j5SNM2yZCW-zZjA/s1152/JACKIE%20CHAN%20DINAH%20SHORE%20HEADER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdpRP4acNE05LyuZrOuC5DpCd-ViTrYd9cmCDYVKPXGLHxAcEXEr260LMJoYmyWQxkEwQ-As4OiN3mjQJHBvUnwIEUXzQWt5pVVZGqglwvke5ug3gJqU5jdR63WAAF9hcGj_sxFmT6ncpgMMy564_m_QuD_AeKFZoYM2jwCcJNj9j5SNM2yZCW-zZjA/w744-h277/JACKIE%20CHAN%20DINAH%20SHORE%20HEADER.png" width="744" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a cover piece done for a magazine publication to accompany an article about the early Jackie Chan's films <i>THE YOUNG MASTER</i> and <i>THE BIG BRAWL </i>(aka <i>BATTLECREEK BRAWL</i>). The collage features three images from each film set against a bold watercolor wash with some Chinese articles watermarked into the background. Using a homogeneous color palette of orange and blue tones, along with consistent eyelines, help pull the disparate imagery together. I contrasted the blue figures with red to pop them forward.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz8iCi7CAskF4daPS3Hn6CRVkcj_LH6y4DT26IpOkOP4TmyPTnE3Lok7Q0h5u-kwxZSMQXB5cJhoX0B7APkNw07IRMkxzSwSCTfP9Pjn-wxD2vF_vIug36-fx3u4vc5v5yknTUbrZNSMRnmES4muQa_27K2hyX6UWkuhHYAR7a3IaSL2Acs9ih5L8Dw/s1008/JC%20DINAH%20SHORE%20cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz8iCi7CAskF4daPS3Hn6CRVkcj_LH6y4DT26IpOkOP4TmyPTnE3Lok7Q0h5u-kwxZSMQXB5cJhoX0B7APkNw07IRMkxzSwSCTfP9Pjn-wxD2vF_vIug36-fx3u4vc5v5yknTUbrZNSMRnmES4muQa_27K2hyX6UWkuhHYAR7a3IaSL2Acs9ih5L8Dw/w745-h913/JC%20DINAH%20SHORE%20cover.png" width="745" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Next time... things start hopping. Things get scary. Things go mad.Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-29477957869257702642023-04-30T22:47:00.001-04:002023-04-30T22:47:54.699-04:00Blood and Steel<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxSVscmfsdi3fD7AiHQvAFW_xmrL0LHYrctVZIS9Fp8q6-gTWYnMHlEcgjgJiAmvoeYgMSkfgsR3tYF-kE76GU_jt1VyBMZa1KcukUxaJ4PorETZFSvwoAYoiBIk_sooFmbYHdN_sNLQflmiyInJPK8LIqOJmeaGYr5zbrGFeD5gycS4An8jrB0cacw/s1152/Burning%20Paradise%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjxSVscmfsdi3fD7AiHQvAFW_xmrL0LHYrctVZIS9Fp8q6-gTWYnMHlEcgjgJiAmvoeYgMSkfgsR3tYF-kE76GU_jt1VyBMZa1KcukUxaJ4PorETZFSvwoAYoiBIk_sooFmbYHdN_sNLQflmiyInJPK8LIqOJmeaGYr5zbrGFeD5gycS4An8jrB0cacw/w741-h275/Burning%20Paradise%20header.png" width="741" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This piece was done for the cover of a violent martial arts epic from celebrated Hong Kong film director Ringo Lam. <i>BURNING PARADISE </i>offers another tale of young folk hero, Fong Sai-Yuk, battling the forces of evil - this time in a labyrinthian underground prison lair where one wrong move spells sudden death of an extremely "uncomfortable" nature.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The extreme violence of the movie naturally dictated the color palette. Blood is everywhere. Inside and out. The Chinese character for "fire", rendered in blood red, looms large and splatters everything in sight. It's emphasis is heightened by reducing all other colors down to a monochromatic grayscale wash of character action/reaction.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLMAx7Q2AGzuDtisvNM_rr-39CejQu2OJNIsVHVtQbCzhZqDzoiFTBxtKwY9aw7lT2nRcCMYmg_2VBMVjBL35-R-VX5XrndQkcm2XcamogOZGhKQjKyIK3mf0_SNx4dSBJvBbYHNLii_NYxMbqYA-G3N5PhMBoFQ8PMI5y9j30IU68yOtvUvCUSbDRg/s1008/BURNING%20PARADISE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLMAx7Q2AGzuDtisvNM_rr-39CejQu2OJNIsVHVtQbCzhZqDzoiFTBxtKwY9aw7lT2nRcCMYmg_2VBMVjBL35-R-VX5XrndQkcm2XcamogOZGhKQjKyIK3mf0_SNx4dSBJvBbYHNLii_NYxMbqYA-G3N5PhMBoFQ8PMI5y9j30IU68yOtvUvCUSbDRg/w739-h906/BURNING%20PARADISE.png" width="739" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">It's a strange dichotomy. It's a constant back-and-forth, as I struggle with the tools of the trade to render physical my vision for each piece. I wouldn't say I ever get fully comfortable in any given style. But I'm also aware of the fact that I never want to exhibit a recognizable style. I don't want to be a "style". (The art direction of the thing I'm marketing should dictate the style if it has any at all.)</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">If I feel I'm getting too comfortable, repeating myself, I immediately attempt to move from on it. Unless I'm doing a series where all the items need to match, I want to welcome each new design job with a set of fresh eyes not relying to previous works to guide me.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">If I'm not stretching, I'm not growing. (And I've got a long, long way to grow.) That's the dichotomy. I try to improve in a certain direction, but then if I feel I'm approaching that goal, I immediately move on from it to try to pursue a different direction. I never stay in any comfort zone. The compounded effect is I'm never fully happy with the work. </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I think this comes from decades of working for hundreds of different clients, all wanting something different. So I have to be everything to everyone. So my <i>own</i> vision takes a backseat. But that's life as a graphic designer. Do your best. Hopefully learn something in the process. And onto the next one. </div><p>See you on the next one. </p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-32058919561784544992023-04-28T23:25:00.001-04:002023-04-28T23:28:07.341-04:00The Streets Run Red<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinRR5MA6Ze5rjT8NaOeZfB1BdWaE6Fj1o9Mcv7jpsL9FqWN8Cs6TkB86RT4I_t0rMZPxLDvDDlezxzeTBuZggX7syxrP3Qf50Wg2HIcBvy-tvEU5xONT6Decuuagc3gWFM5VeT8TcB_W3D3F1h09vaB4R3dyzQFb_MLlfHkq8hJYBFDR7Ylc1PpXZdw/s1152/VIOLENT%20STREETS%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinRR5MA6Ze5rjT8NaOeZfB1BdWaE6Fj1o9Mcv7jpsL9FqWN8Cs6TkB86RT4I_t0rMZPxLDvDDlezxzeTBuZggX7syxrP3Qf50Wg2HIcBvy-tvEU5xONT6Decuuagc3gWFM5VeT8TcB_W3D3F1h09vaB4R3dyzQFb_MLlfHkq8hJYBFDR7Ylc1PpXZdw/w734-h273/VIOLENT%20STREETS%20header.png" width="734" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">This is a piece I did for a early 70s Japanese gangster film directed by Hideo Gosha. It's dark, violent and, well, takes it's brand of yakuza action to the streets. So, in a flagrant example of "truth in advertising", it's actually called <i>VIOLENT STREETS</i>. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I've never been a fan of the "stack of floating heads" poster style so popular in the 1990s. (ie: names across the top, head over shoulder, head over shoulder, head over shoulder, horses running in silhouette across the bottom, done call it a day.) So when possible, I always try to give the characters a little bit of business. Holding a prop, a weapon, a phone, some sort of indication to who their character is. So viewers can get a hint of the story, or at least the <i>type</i> of story from the imagery.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMN07TdZv8mz5K5JBvVHitGVJMZS5fWMAUX7zK_qty_oB2J25BhxCzn0oi99wUSNDx0Lw2Saiqy3uoLt62t_-iuKrCGV5EEVdvu3LPdyHMaMK-ei8GeUnI-S0XgMwq_2hiCv5c-iVnWhPVsjT3h_hIrp4ysDjhiJQ6Gyn1MaREwD1vPgyEQ85jPbEXQ/s1008/VIOLENT%20STREETS%20sketch.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMN07TdZv8mz5K5JBvVHitGVJMZS5fWMAUX7zK_qty_oB2J25BhxCzn0oi99wUSNDx0Lw2Saiqy3uoLt62t_-iuKrCGV5EEVdvu3LPdyHMaMK-ei8GeUnI-S0XgMwq_2hiCv5c-iVnWhPVsjT3h_hIrp4ysDjhiJQ6Gyn1MaREwD1vPgyEQ85jPbEXQ/w225-h276/VIOLENT%20STREETS%20sketch.png" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Also juxtaposing protagonists and antagonist facing each other can visually express a sense of the conflict. In this film it's not so much "good guys versus bad guys", they are all pretty much "bad". But it's still one group versus another and my composition splits them down the middle with our protagonists on the left. The bloody Japanese title divides them and spills out onto the dark street itself where it joins the bleeding body of a woman. While the whole scene is rendered off-kilter, is contrasting hues of reds and blues. Hot and cold against a neutral gray night. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Various elements, such as tiny flying chicken feathers, a pack of German Shepherds, a transvestite with a knife are all pulled from the film, but don't spoil any major plot point.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The rough comp is shown to the right (inset) with the final finished piece below.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The other primary color, a prominent yellow muzzle flash, subtly reflects on the actors faces and is echoed in the director's name. While all the red lighting the scene emanates from the Japanese title.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixiGKcdjj6-_C0azwGEHPbSBunhHnFGecGKMOzYM2lJ0ZMEugzaX7yBJopwfP-6_xTwAak3TcTa-XgVPzESAPwgd_kf55UDRHDhuLJrrnEUKXwpJc-Qeffh6SAvF9nGUttvyxJCdjGh37-QWkhuWJK62b9OMHuezgOZepDmkV5YVlo_1cYU7mgci1iA/s1008/VIOLENT%20STREETS.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="904" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixiGKcdjj6-_C0azwGEHPbSBunhHnFGecGKMOzYM2lJ0ZMEugzaX7yBJopwfP-6_xTwAak3TcTa-XgVPzESAPwgd_kf55UDRHDhuLJrrnEUKXwpJc-Qeffh6SAvF9nGUttvyxJCdjGh37-QWkhuWJK62b9OMHuezgOZepDmkV5YVlo_1cYU7mgci1iA/w736-h904/VIOLENT%20STREETS.png" width="736" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Take the sex and the violence from this film, and add martial arts. Stir until it comes to a fine boil. That's next time.Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-72265453819484027422023-03-26T18:28:00.007-04:002023-03-26T20:13:16.021-04:00Action Overload<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1kvNYrAYp-Yp7NzFAZ9l0tqimk42WqmHJilJqxjZRp1A6TCpsg96SJzFIkzrRzShoT2G7-9Td2oyf0HRquNdI045YVT07TCn8o79TOn4fa6wSj_Gn2mviEMktFIjPQBReCPVzm2qHJEtlWhnwKJk5rTUe3rUgobuy4la_Zw3GPEmtdTwgpSJRKoqBw/s1152/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV%20header%202.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1kvNYrAYp-Yp7NzFAZ9l0tqimk42WqmHJilJqxjZRp1A6TCpsg96SJzFIkzrRzShoT2G7-9Td2oyf0HRquNdI045YVT07TCn8o79TOn4fa6wSj_Gn2mviEMktFIjPQBReCPVzm2qHJEtlWhnwKJk5rTUe3rUgobuy4la_Zw3GPEmtdTwgpSJRKoqBw/w748-h279/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV%20header%202.png" width="748" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I went with a blue tone for <i>IN THE LINE OF DUTY IV </i>starring Cynthia Khan and Donnie Yen. (Perhaps the abundance of 1980s denim played a role.) The cover strives for that balance of positive and negative space. With bold lines driving the eye toward the title. I never like to clutter the image with dozens of heads peeking over shoulders so the colored lines provide a natural visual element for layering the figures. And I was able to render every figure doing something energetic which helps define their character, and provides a better impression of the film.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZInd0Xb3lTyiYEGoRNxhBH6-Z1KCusOgZGU8B2DcCr6OmRs9GOPtcrqWZvFVrSBiRuX0VhXAclwKpCKTDYGjNituc0ePOZ6Y7_gCkhe86O1vZ6ac6BPQVH6HltaZRWD1azWynItyj7YHrZMrtBDZIEhMpdRcNOmnkO13RpokFpspIMTE0Ji1O1bTOg/s1008/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV_O-CARD.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="915" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZInd0Xb3lTyiYEGoRNxhBH6-Z1KCusOgZGU8B2DcCr6OmRs9GOPtcrqWZvFVrSBiRuX0VhXAclwKpCKTDYGjNituc0ePOZ6Y7_gCkhe86O1vZ6ac6BPQVH6HltaZRWD1azWynItyj7YHrZMrtBDZIEhMpdRcNOmnkO13RpokFpspIMTE0Ji1O1bTOg/w747-h915/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV_O-CARD.png" width="747" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although the first four films are the most popular, it would still be wonderful to release the remaining films in the (admittedly loosely-connected) series. If nothing else but for the sake of completing the set.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hopefully, if original film elements survive in good condition, one day Fortune Star will see fit to remaster the final few films in HD and make them available for licensing by distributors. We can only hope.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Until then, we can at least enjoy these HK cinema action classics in beautiful new transfers. They look better than ever on home video.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ukpHxz42XtyXak3Q5GZGnr9hGdfEcNT_BFFa1tu-wrZufZ5wgp8D37toealOASmQcvro85iUS-BKFN19ITd4OwXJEK4u8a9gUlhjYvEw02Cl3RlWTIQslPd3TE0V4MiS1bk5cmEdH_65uTjdoecE_CC4_68P76cReoCZCAdguwq52_DwIUkYcVDPZQ/s1512/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV_book%20spread.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1512" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ukpHxz42XtyXak3Q5GZGnr9hGdfEcNT_BFFa1tu-wrZufZ5wgp8D37toealOASmQcvro85iUS-BKFN19ITd4OwXJEK4u8a9gUlhjYvEw02Cl3RlWTIQslPd3TE0V4MiS1bk5cmEdH_65uTjdoecE_CC4_68P76cReoCZCAdguwq52_DwIUkYcVDPZQ/w700-h498/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV_book%20spread.png" width="700" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGkpSkLZOvjNZ3B8xAHfNMjpAezvU4lEIUKrEsxiuQiXUBYXKICdVErT1jlHkxqmzbhtmSUFwP7hN_GDg431Ub6okf6kb9Js8mGxcsuX5vQptgw1dPPpejYFYcjItfhWHpB9fnHc01YWgHqji2MLlaAGxt7K5XCutTohokwAS0OelJcG3FrkhlhqIWQ/s1920/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV%20MENU%20BG.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGkpSkLZOvjNZ3B8xAHfNMjpAezvU4lEIUKrEsxiuQiXUBYXKICdVErT1jlHkxqmzbhtmSUFwP7hN_GDg431Ub6okf6kb9Js8mGxcsuX5vQptgw1dPPpejYFYcjItfhWHpB9fnHc01YWgHqji2MLlaAGxt7K5XCutTohokwAS0OelJcG3FrkhlhqIWQ/w719-h405/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20IV%20MENU%20BG.png" width="719" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The series... so far.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2aC61CYomm9jE4KpxHUkyxL1vSh5ouoVWb0NnVUM2QSdN5Br6LKEY8yNEkujxm4CHMg1eBL0ZZbnNsDjsmO3Fnt4ppPw4dc7NXDNVnScRio6y9lkVXzEQEAdwxk-DK525dS3grOoOCTbji0BEKfGbDPuSJnbxypnORzwRGyRVQrOt567aTM6tRZm8w/s1008/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1008" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv2aC61CYomm9jE4KpxHUkyxL1vSh5ouoVWb0NnVUM2QSdN5Br6LKEY8yNEkujxm4CHMg1eBL0ZZbnNsDjsmO3Fnt4ppPw4dc7NXDNVnScRio6y9lkVXzEQEAdwxk-DK525dS3grOoOCTbji0BEKfGbDPuSJnbxypnORzwRGyRVQrOt567aTM6tRZm8w/w743-h286/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" width="743" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next time... the streets run red.</div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-81416921958986905382023-03-25T21:26:00.002-04:002023-03-25T21:26:38.831-04:00Duty Calls<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sPGpl6NafFDHYJoA4yHh2_t-4dB6lJEe4wqN_Z9on0j9JowVjPkuNmY9sqvNaiGB0A1e8cFSu5AkbGrjSlcEodjbJu8r2kEUo_gXZAQKzQgfaOrzYJ1LIwiqpxpIt2L3r00XUzBSNB-waKjyullqkswhcgFuyeVdfy0wOH2AAmBTP0L3vTDu5r_GTQ/s1152/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III%20header%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sPGpl6NafFDHYJoA4yHh2_t-4dB6lJEe4wqN_Z9on0j9JowVjPkuNmY9sqvNaiGB0A1e8cFSu5AkbGrjSlcEodjbJu8r2kEUo_gXZAQKzQgfaOrzYJ1LIwiqpxpIt2L3r00XUzBSNB-waKjyullqkswhcgFuyeVdfy0wOH2AAmBTP0L3vTDu5r_GTQ/w756-h281/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III%20header%202.png" width="756" /></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Taiwanese actress Cynthia Khan (a stage name amalgamation of Cynthia Rothrock and Michelle Khan) takes over for a retiring Michelle Yeoh in this hard-hitting installment in the very loosely connected Hong Kong "girls with guns" film series. For the <i>IN THE LINE DUTY III</i> cover art I continued the graphic theme established previously, this time with a yellow tone as seen on the original HK lobby cards. </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc66-7057kx-NobZJ-RVO4gS0TxyVhLwXRil8oWYb9aPaRoZ3WZ6DNi_Y2_Qdf3jXL96WJPAVVYvmJQ-_sXxcih3WrsFioJSq9WB5GUJ0y_15abNa-LJOSc239X4Csu9AoWqm75BzQCjPC-LXxKXaPTzayv9HQGC6pOZjSBA2hPUjvsqEryGwQkAcEw/s1008/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III_O-CARD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="927" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdc66-7057kx-NobZJ-RVO4gS0TxyVhLwXRil8oWYb9aPaRoZ3WZ6DNi_Y2_Qdf3jXL96WJPAVVYvmJQ-_sXxcih3WrsFioJSq9WB5GUJ0y_15abNa-LJOSc239X4Csu9AoWqm75BzQCjPC-LXxKXaPTzayv9HQGC6pOZjSBA2hPUjvsqEryGwQkAcEw/w756-h927/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III_O-CARD.png" width="756" /></a></p><p>The booklet cover spread continues the visual theme. (The Thai poster is featured on the back.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV26QchLDh2KIZBOqFRkawn1_qM-2nV60CGo-rg61tSVgzEssqepEy6H804rJ01Tw6pigFGiC-TH725ilcBU1TX32snNMwE_ju_Y6NqyyaN563CoZsDymHrM9Zg51xpr91oXLw0rXd2KzdX-QhVS-fXpNZnmyOZqxD1aaYxNYqfmFYFgAjbLiwBu2sg/s1512/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III_BOOKLET%20COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1512" height="537" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLV26QchLDh2KIZBOqFRkawn1_qM-2nV60CGo-rg61tSVgzEssqepEy6H804rJ01Tw6pigFGiC-TH725ilcBU1TX32snNMwE_ju_Y6NqyyaN563CoZsDymHrM9Zg51xpr91oXLw0rXd2KzdX-QhVS-fXpNZnmyOZqxD1aaYxNYqfmFYFgAjbLiwBu2sg/w754-h537/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III_BOOKLET%20COVER.png" width="754" /></a></div>As does the menu featuring that iconic shot.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4KmoDCKSq0Sd4hvcSJQWvsFL-Jmhgw7uE3bXPhFe3Py5uOLUf6Jgduba30f9kIiEU8exLhROQZepKbOEnswhcJm3gDYRpU0oEPtI7X5cpFDJmbdWK8ZFWPl0yhLTuTWPJQadRG-Nkp-4U-ViQ9LNT_JdpSaQwpdWwRFj4BuDvnawLGJ7jN_NEd6RBw/s1920/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III%20MENU%20BG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4KmoDCKSq0Sd4hvcSJQWvsFL-Jmhgw7uE3bXPhFe3Py5uOLUf6Jgduba30f9kIiEU8exLhROQZepKbOEnswhcJm3gDYRpU0oEPtI7X5cpFDJmbdWK8ZFWPl0yhLTuTWPJQadRG-Nkp-4U-ViQ9LNT_JdpSaQwpdWwRFj4BuDvnawLGJ7jN_NEd6RBw/w753-h424/IN%20THE%20LINE%20OF%20DUTY%20III%20MENU%20BG.png" width="753" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMFj0O4bTVIJiNHpCq9ibwR4cNajCJW_NPB-WaHkqor_1hGnqFGJITZGHOv9dmZ-0crwemeH7MJOca9M1jrAAk-r8bHWn47fKbJywg9hqOw0Wkxu0WRTcick0Tkkkd9p5u07HsV3YdKAL-2CGbKFw_DQpKQtQYOBnrZz00p88XiDyT7T52PtiZ9Q6mQ/s1008/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1008" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMFj0O4bTVIJiNHpCq9ibwR4cNajCJW_NPB-WaHkqor_1hGnqFGJITZGHOv9dmZ-0crwemeH7MJOca9M1jrAAk-r8bHWn47fKbJywg9hqOw0Wkxu0WRTcick0Tkkkd9p5u07HsV3YdKAL-2CGbKFw_DQpKQtQYOBnrZz00p88XiDyT7T52PtiZ9Q6mQ/w755-h290/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" width="755" /></a></div><br /><div>Next up... the fourth time's the charm.</div></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-22886542021230565122023-02-28T13:51:00.001-05:002023-02-28T13:51:56.916-05:00Biao in Action<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJqghZYw5Opi2mvMgUiyX9NP0ayMxdRRWXxc1swtgqzHJqjmbiiJItylbGiNZrzL32a1FPRKaU3YuzBJcH3HAVQzHJFv2VRWM4eREcyeAGHK4wsysge5WgsjzEMcDim-UBY3HTeAhJmR0ThqCRPD-CvOtkHyH_4tkj-79sVqqpr1UuyYVnsRumhkV1w/s1152/Yuen%20Biao%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJqghZYw5Opi2mvMgUiyX9NP0ayMxdRRWXxc1swtgqzHJqjmbiiJItylbGiNZrzL32a1FPRKaU3YuzBJcH3HAVQzHJFv2VRWM4eREcyeAGHK4wsysge5WgsjzEMcDim-UBY3HTeAhJmR0ThqCRPD-CvOtkHyH_4tkj-79sVqqpr1UuyYVnsRumhkV1w/w746-h277/Yuen%20Biao%20header.png" width="746" /></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">This was a quick little cover piece I did for a magazine highlighting the 1990s work of Hong Kong action star Yuen Biao. The main image is from 1987's <i>EASTERN CONDORS </i>per my client's request, but the inset images are all from his later work, made during the decline of the film industry. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">To differentiate the films profiled inside, I rendered the smaller images of Biao in a graphic flat style, with a limited blue/orange color palette and popped them out of a strip of 35mm film.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIshyPTFdG6au4peWQzCep8o_Vr8frNz5SvKggQZRn9nO77krsQoQHftytcmGkcGYZeS84p4PiNoJQP-l2ER6EQ7oAVtr30wP2Fva9cAHF6CEwffMAd6TGSA68VrMmPB2EBDtAxwcCgO_vctEPOkwqYOzg4hID9axtZnk0zjtKQKFUkdKyuJGguefvHQ/s1008/YUEN%20BIAO%20COVER%20sample.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="757" height="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIshyPTFdG6au4peWQzCep8o_Vr8frNz5SvKggQZRn9nO77krsQoQHftytcmGkcGYZeS84p4PiNoJQP-l2ER6EQ7oAVtr30wP2Fva9cAHF6CEwffMAd6TGSA68VrMmPB2EBDtAxwcCgO_vctEPOkwqYOzg4hID9axtZnk0zjtKQKFUkdKyuJGguefvHQ/w746-h994/YUEN%20BIAO%20COVER%20sample.png" width="746" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Next time, we return to the <i>IN THE LINE OF DUTY</i> series with impressive new-comer Cynthia Khan.Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-14508258705449050342023-02-25T19:15:00.002-05:002023-02-25T19:19:06.146-05:00Magnificent Michelle<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg5VxAbXXCIuieKLbRRtFr3tpncqv0f4FS_jtEngHSzMA6RX-jLgyMcSj4EQ56_e1OvcST0XdVhUoISEQY9ay6UMGYY1TDfiQcVzD78g4FHIyvdROT0sQsBMDBSFS11WmHQVkSYwXDg_xW25biPwERJp4CiSOxQyEs3jag0Xn06pGkr1PyK1w4jqiHw/s1152/MAG%20WARRIORS%20header.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUg5VxAbXXCIuieKLbRRtFr3tpncqv0f4FS_jtEngHSzMA6RX-jLgyMcSj4EQ56_e1OvcST0XdVhUoISEQY9ay6UMGYY1TDfiQcVzD78g4FHIyvdROT0sQsBMDBSFS11WmHQVkSYwXDg_xW25biPwERJp4CiSOxQyEs3jag0Xn06pGkr1PyK1w4jqiHw/w745-h277/MAG%20WARRIORS%20header.png" width="745" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The overdue appreciation of the work of actress MICHELLE YEOH continues in the US and UK, with the re-release of her 1987 actioner <i>MAGNIFICENT WARRIORS</i>. The period action adventure gave more than a passing nod to the exploits of one Indiana Jones. And therefore, my packaging took inspiration from that same source as well. It really was a missed opportunity to have her team up with the good doctor for an adventure or two. Although not playing an archeologist, Yoeh brings her own sensibilities to the roving adventurer archetype. She can more than hold her own in a fight. With fists, feet or her handy rope dart. And, more importantly, she knows how to LAND a plane.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi2qT4Rwt4RaHYIhXL2qx7hi-gm6QO5Sy0uKR_B3FRjlZlIsYhTlr4WubSShq0elDHVGtRWfa0_nB43PDQMj9H0fk3cipwt1jhR_t82BGZoOH9B2polGoVmjGMdtn7yB-sy5fZXzUU9Ah68B8CebHMQY2YVkn8JFNpnVi3i-rFCZx8l-sLZe1EGrhJg/s1008/MAG%20WARRIORS%20O-CARD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi2qT4Rwt4RaHYIhXL2qx7hi-gm6QO5Sy0uKR_B3FRjlZlIsYhTlr4WubSShq0elDHVGtRWfa0_nB43PDQMj9H0fk3cipwt1jhR_t82BGZoOH9B2polGoVmjGMdtn7yB-sy5fZXzUU9Ah68B8CebHMQY2YVkn8JFNpnVi3i-rFCZx8l-sLZe1EGrhJg/w746-h913/MAG%20WARRIORS%20O-CARD.png" width="746" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The booklet cover (below) solely focused on Michelle in her defense posture. I actually did the art a few months before I even knew my client was going to release the film. Just as a fun exercise. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX9q5UTCsTUZKU0oyst5LCmvPbgSPRRL012y4BmISZTYdizjrLeO3_MKqAslEk9JQPAJlx88FLhy2Lb6Y7s43wjCbfY02Va7l-IvtTN65i_VeIdcw5ZLB0UpsTQZoEYAN5kc32Lhym_7KemX_r6OGn9kBz_XuftjEMRTLIWdhFr4ldqywYOgVEcHE4w/s977/MAG%20WARRIORS%20BOOK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="821" height="889" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivX9q5UTCsTUZKU0oyst5LCmvPbgSPRRL012y4BmISZTYdizjrLeO3_MKqAslEk9JQPAJlx88FLhy2Lb6Y7s43wjCbfY02Va7l-IvtTN65i_VeIdcw5ZLB0UpsTQZoEYAN5kc32Lhym_7KemX_r6OGn9kBz_XuftjEMRTLIWdhFr4ldqywYOgVEcHE4w/w747-h889/MAG%20WARRIORS%20BOOK.png" width="747" /></a></div><p></p><p>Yuen Biao gets a retro retrospective... and a magazine cover</p><div>That's next time.<p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-38605700302425779042023-01-30T23:16:00.001-05:002023-01-30T23:16:05.811-05:00A Warrior's Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_f_Ac3JktM-xey2fFCTtWoVSFbK_dzYzINHAIDqCcISnO9CDhC0KaG6158FCuZ9b1Du0ZHJbl_UP4MQDVUUZou8ooJJJyZXH_GWMkGoJSapNYnQ8mWLzoSd58wo37Oy1H9yohr-8oTm1ZUwLF0UY-ZiUNhX72nD1m1ngD2FY31KiIfpLXGpRMyA9MQ/s1152/royal%20warriors%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_f_Ac3JktM-xey2fFCTtWoVSFbK_dzYzINHAIDqCcISnO9CDhC0KaG6158FCuZ9b1Du0ZHJbl_UP4MQDVUUZou8ooJJJyZXH_GWMkGoJSapNYnQ8mWLzoSd58wo37Oy1H9yohr-8oTm1ZUwLF0UY-ZiUNhX72nD1m1ngD2FY31KiIfpLXGpRMyA9MQ/w741-h275/royal%20warriors%20header.png" width="741" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Michelle Yeoh followed up her star turn in <i>YES, MADAM!</i> with the brutal actioner, <i>ROYAL WARRIORS,</i> in 1986. You can tell the producers were now confident in her proven abilities to carry the film and please an audience, as they did not feel the need to add goofy sequences featuring star cameos into the film this time. The film is better for it.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">For this cover design I went with an intense orange tone, culled from the fiery Hong Kong poster.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The right hand side of the image is a bit "spoilerific". As it slyly tells the story of Michael Wong's character arc. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">HE'S A COP READY FOR ACTION. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">HE DIES FALLING THRU A GLASS CEILING.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">HIS COFFIN GETS HUNG FROM A CRANE. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEwcnDxRJQ0k2TXQCbxuNMQUs_emJOCCNNMeh5Lp3rN5QiB4W4YZhzgawahBePQPef6WT48zIbvOoouwCZfWZpYl6UGeBR1YvHi11gKj1yuHPj7IolDHOnt5h1-aLWMhaf1QsDb6o7Vn2R8P3249n2jDfaWCi49IcEc_fUWjuExNZ51ogv--t-aD0pg/s1008/ROYAL%20WARRIORS%20o-card.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOEwcnDxRJQ0k2TXQCbxuNMQUs_emJOCCNNMeh5Lp3rN5QiB4W4YZhzgawahBePQPef6WT48zIbvOoouwCZfWZpYl6UGeBR1YvHi11gKj1yuHPj7IolDHOnt5h1-aLWMhaf1QsDb6o7Vn2R8P3249n2jDfaWCi49IcEc_fUWjuExNZ51ogv--t-aD0pg/w738-h903/ROYAL%20WARRIORS%20o-card.png" width="738" /></a></div>The book cover design naturally follows the theme established on the previous film in the series.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZqTswUkApcTY5Pcr8-5ZRC5V6ZAqoGXv3dyMEtZDC7dvbbSDZZWQfHkEJ3jMw9tnoJrbCt688ZvKKNXSuIgwlIlyFJIkPsPwY_kSdzis0JK7YO8ZJ_7HYSdm0ac3CztzK1CpiUHocOfkfj5pThEfCwpMCY4GvoFIhkPDirZr-xZIm7q6KUP1R6EJng/s1512/ROYAL%20WARRIORS_BOOKLET%20COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1512" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQZqTswUkApcTY5Pcr8-5ZRC5V6ZAqoGXv3dyMEtZDC7dvbbSDZZWQfHkEJ3jMw9tnoJrbCt688ZvKKNXSuIgwlIlyFJIkPsPwY_kSdzis0JK7YO8ZJ_7HYSdm0ac3CztzK1CpiUHocOfkfj5pThEfCwpMCY4GvoFIhkPDirZr-xZIm7q6KUP1R6EJng/w744-h531/ROYAL%20WARRIORS_BOOKLET%20COVER.png" width="744" /></a></div>As does the rather sparse menu design.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_ULOVSXWEjnuYBWJG62WxrpA_YXlFlGj09YcPbW03eZC3T3HyZf90HZPTSmz-RcNsTg3XPyxP7T2cnPA207uFuZrl7B-uTmDcEYf1HQZ3l5SvfUQ07mAqMjCRV2FBhweA1DAmR97ZmUejQtUpXtN2aug_tW_t7mi2Ru9k-cp6pU2dQiHVfUKf_GNSQ/s1920/ROYAL%20WARRIORS%20MENU%20BG.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_ULOVSXWEjnuYBWJG62WxrpA_YXlFlGj09YcPbW03eZC3T3HyZf90HZPTSmz-RcNsTg3XPyxP7T2cnPA207uFuZrl7B-uTmDcEYf1HQZ3l5SvfUQ07mAqMjCRV2FBhweA1DAmR97ZmUejQtUpXtN2aug_tW_t7mi2Ru9k-cp6pU2dQiHVfUKf_GNSQ/w736-h414/ROYAL%20WARRIORS%20MENU%20BG.png" width="736" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EyDCOWazYg6-qDuRbaAeOiezjNbkL0Xojt9PMLdx509rmkgcQ9_OtDvbUKdKcBVN8X0ETJPOc4pXjnS0XdA7_iHrTisNE9rAbe5kWfdu8EnN6CYM4dRdhDHNhDSY2Rk3Z22iOotLB2MYw0UdtAOJ2lZN50AWL3b289W0Sdx3tzbaLttmeRrwnrY6tw/s1008/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1008" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EyDCOWazYg6-qDuRbaAeOiezjNbkL0Xojt9PMLdx509rmkgcQ9_OtDvbUKdKcBVN8X0ETJPOc4pXjnS0XdA7_iHrTisNE9rAbe5kWfdu8EnN6CYM4dRdhDHNhDSY2Rk3Z22iOotLB2MYw0UdtAOJ2lZN50AWL3b289W0Sdx3tzbaLttmeRrwnrY6tw/w735-h283/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" width="735" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>W</span><span style="text-align: justify;">e'll take a quick break from the </span><i style="text-align: justify;">IN THE LINE OF DUTY</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> series, but stay with MICHELLE YEOH to focus on her next film. It's <i>magnificent.</i> That's next time.</span>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-28500473816444860452023-01-28T17:58:00.002-05:002023-01-30T22:49:55.132-05:00Madam Yeoh Meets Miss Rothrock<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTHAYijGgXa2qehn3m2cVdk8o4tCMq2mms97xpiJ8N_SfMf1WiRs5HEhJHTD-Z_APsx9vnjGnwSIUI066Zy47Jkorwj3zyKWngGtS_U8-jLucMsJm7m6oB96N5jx_iXNh0OvMzBEBcc8MreETC5x6Fwsn0M-IzgRG2syw3tCLu0ZLHHni_K39-dfYcg/s1152/yes%20madam%20header%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjTHAYijGgXa2qehn3m2cVdk8o4tCMq2mms97xpiJ8N_SfMf1WiRs5HEhJHTD-Z_APsx9vnjGnwSIUI066Zy47Jkorwj3zyKWngGtS_U8-jLucMsJm7m6oB96N5jx_iXNh0OvMzBEBcc8MreETC5x6Fwsn0M-IzgRG2syw3tCLu0ZLHHni_K39-dfYcg/w753-h280/yes%20madam%20header%202.png" width="753" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The Hong Kong "girls with guns" subgenre of action films is generally considered to have started in 1985 with the release of the action-comedy <i>YES, MADAM!</i> Due to it's commercial success, production company D&B Films was quick to produce more movies with a similar theme. Some starring their new starlet, Michelle Yeoh. Retroactively these loosely-connected films were marketed as a "series" called <i>IN THE LINE OF DUTY</i> <span face="Roboto, arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: black; color: #70757a; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">—</span> with <i>YES, MADAM!</i> being marketed as the <i>first</i> film in the series in some regions, and the <i>second</i> in other markets. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Regardless of the order of the films, <i>YES, MADAM!</i> remains a highlight of female-lead action cinema, and it was a pleasure to design the packaging for the first 4 films in the series. (Their success slowly dwindled after the wonderful fourth installment, and the rights holder has yet to make the remaining 3 films available in HD, but who knows what the future may hold.) </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I decided to give each film a consistent bold compositional design, with a unique color theme. <i>YES, MADAM!</i> demanded a minty 'Miami Vice' mid-80s palette. With a splash of hot pink paint to pop the title and mimic the original HK poster art. I also decided to choose a simple title font that could work with all the film titles in the series (long or short), to further connect them visually.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I was able to illustrate the leads in representative poses exploding from the title, and give Michelle and Cynthia the emphasis they deserve. Monochromatic background elements in the upper corners are architectural details seen in the final act's big action set piece (soon to be painfully smashed by falling stuntmen).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc7ei0DucvsTVfW6spdBbWL0kCBrsL6FUdChsuqdiy_pdmMtxgXBhGfHNGXQIz2xVGDobeUnfOlZSMPgmxel85kLy3kL6ukmoutqgMGjf1rHybACcSN7ZzvXO1yOZToBUy-apGGEmt0V8YMzUgYCrOz2QeRlpQOmyEPfiEnvzY7iIjQ-uinrWuCfhag/s1008/YES%20MADAM_O-CARD.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="821" height="920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc7ei0DucvsTVfW6spdBbWL0kCBrsL6FUdChsuqdiy_pdmMtxgXBhGfHNGXQIz2xVGDobeUnfOlZSMPgmxel85kLy3kL6ukmoutqgMGjf1rHybACcSN7ZzvXO1yOZToBUy-apGGEmt0V8YMzUgYCrOz2QeRlpQOmyEPfiEnvzY7iIjQ-uinrWuCfhag/w751-h920/YES%20MADAM_O-CARD.png" width="751" /></a></p><p>For the booklet cover I went with a minimal black background with the leads in a tinted monochrome under the title text. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWswNbZ1bzxDBmN0nVKovijobcOc0putofOLACTl0_cQPSIVxnK_1262O0XwDNg0UboTK_XRRQ8wd2LyPuaIUrKH0lz29pq6FXOWlzqRYs-T-RJ8KwPL8zeESdev2uZTwtP9iyr3fECU3E4ku1rFQKhbIzUq7b2Mv3__rFx8enMTF9ldYWmwvrnZ1bCA/s1512/YES%20MADAM_BOOKLET%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1512" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWswNbZ1bzxDBmN0nVKovijobcOc0putofOLACTl0_cQPSIVxnK_1262O0XwDNg0UboTK_XRRQ8wd2LyPuaIUrKH0lz29pq6FXOWlzqRYs-T-RJ8KwPL8zeESdev2uZTwtP9iyr3fECU3E4ku1rFQKhbIzUq7b2Mv3__rFx8enMTF9ldYWmwvrnZ1bCA/w745-h531/YES%20MADAM_BOOKLET%202.png" width="745" /></a></div>I carried this over to the Blu-ray menu, with the background design element from the cover behind the title and a color photo of the leads. This left plenty of room for a single-page layout of all the menu options. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG9-siBbkLlbXHqAbk2ssMCVtXa_cW_tD_NxXrRAruW4V5WEnvKC7CQN8VIr8oXieohrVZo56diKYNgZOt7gn1wXRFx2aTbt5AzEihQWoKJVfBy29v3T63t3lnpDb9KBII8IrrEZAEE3kql8sV6WxCPT4l0rm08poku0-dflXZBJHbpZBhUTuD_E9Gw/s1920/YES%20MADAM%20MENU%20BG%202.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMG9-siBbkLlbXHqAbk2ssMCVtXa_cW_tD_NxXrRAruW4V5WEnvKC7CQN8VIr8oXieohrVZo56diKYNgZOt7gn1wXRFx2aTbt5AzEihQWoKJVfBy29v3T63t3lnpDb9KBII8IrrEZAEE3kql8sV6WxCPT4l0rm08poku0-dflXZBJHbpZBhUTuD_E9Gw/w746-h420/YES%20MADAM%20MENU%20BG%202.png" width="746" /></a></div></div><br /><div>Next time, <i>WARRIORS</i> get the <i>ROYAL</i> treatment.<br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROe4OtsEpJAXuqgUpagmkf3Q26LJbIUQ2L-v5y-OU_UYd53iCcVEVJqPlrvic4FbG4Sy9guvbJNWqF7lvfywtww3IjzlzE7r3e-pgu5suBqxIaTc4elkcveqI6AY0WuDblPzW6p4pBcSJ3Lv6kxvWKgGmtYY1boEzQzyJ0yrkt98WSzCtZr5MomWujg/s1008/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1008" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROe4OtsEpJAXuqgUpagmkf3Q26LJbIUQ2L-v5y-OU_UYd53iCcVEVJqPlrvic4FbG4Sy9guvbJNWqF7lvfywtww3IjzlzE7r3e-pgu5suBqxIaTc4elkcveqI6AY0WuDblPzW6p4pBcSJ3Lv6kxvWKgGmtYY1boEzQzyJ0yrkt98WSzCtZr5MomWujg/w748-h287/in%20the%20line%20of%20duty%20series%20ad.png" width="748" /></a></div></div></div></div>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977159906146462531.post-65639888036995791882022-12-28T12:47:00.000-05:002022-12-28T12:47:45.217-05:00The Bruce Lee Issue<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv78wN_OP_6o3U5FFGaybSsl7txOrLoRduO2sgQ-Rfuvf3NNJSOa4RwyTizCN0aY3BHx5DofZ909hXCQhxppHImCv-mM_vMZFZIwmwRMa20YyNTgp_yBE4FbENU709oMx19TMmO6xG4kVD80_ja1HvogX_UdM15SIGac8BgMutmsVw41LsKenRG-TXmQ/s1152/BRUCE%20LEE%20header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1152" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv78wN_OP_6o3U5FFGaybSsl7txOrLoRduO2sgQ-Rfuvf3NNJSOa4RwyTizCN0aY3BHx5DofZ909hXCQhxppHImCv-mM_vMZFZIwmwRMa20YyNTgp_yBE4FbENU709oMx19TMmO6xG4kVD80_ja1HvogX_UdM15SIGac8BgMutmsVw41LsKenRG-TXmQ/w750-h278/BRUCE%20LEE%20header.png" width="750" /></a><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Rick Baker graciously invited me to create a cover design for his <i>EASTERN HEROES</i> magazine in the UK. It has long profiled Hong Kong action cinema classics and, of course, focuses often on the work of the iconic Bruce Lee.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH8s0b4BjqR2Pgi-mkURPNBEkiXVoYackLFiANDgcBGobBV1bbcO4dwWY31cEnOKH47K8O72OdKeTb4ppVmlbsx652z_vlgJXzUCT8L61zPFEiF4H3IrcADS090QZljmEylrSh5PTBHYFtfR4qdPFRPf9sW7AG66T2LZBuv3bbUJFP7LNhNrrFiBTdg/s1224/BRUCE%20LEE%20magazine%20cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="916" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgH8s0b4BjqR2Pgi-mkURPNBEkiXVoYackLFiANDgcBGobBV1bbcO4dwWY31cEnOKH47K8O72OdKeTb4ppVmlbsx652z_vlgJXzUCT8L61zPFEiF4H3IrcADS090QZljmEylrSh5PTBHYFtfR4qdPFRPf9sW7AG66T2LZBuv3bbUJFP7LNhNrrFiBTdg/s320/BRUCE%20LEE%20magazine%20cover.png" width="239" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">He's the cover star of this issue. I was asked to concentrate on his <i>ENTER THE DRAGON</i> period, arguably his most famous film worldwide. Then, after seeing my art, I was requested to add additional "Bruces" from each of his other HK films, perhaps to broaden the focus and widen the general appeal. These were each rendered in unique color tone. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bruce's Chinese stage name translates to "Little Dragon", so it seemed appropriate to add a little colorful phantom Asian serpent flowing around the man.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had never drawn Lee before so it was a fun exercise for me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The magazine (and many other cool items) might still be available in the <a href="https://easternheroes.com/product-category/books-magazines/"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">Eastern Heroes online shop.</span></i></b></a> Hurry before they sell out. That particular issue also includes an interview with yours truly and features samples of some of my Blu-ray cover art.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7j-pAJrAQptqA2MDJ3RcUtnqQo0TjCEr1rLTg40z_9_zyryBO1u0_i_tfhBwgapIX6h5Eko6U6-AN4NcLaWQP1EZ3k9bQrfn7VLmwNwfsGq2Fd52DL9npeu452FHA4yPxI1NvTAdL4qAD3ZCTKMipz5-FPApoXAqskCq27Ud_JGODIvLnozxpRisjw/s1149/EASTERN%20HEROES%20-%20BRUCE%20LEE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="936" height="911" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7j-pAJrAQptqA2MDJ3RcUtnqQo0TjCEr1rLTg40z_9_zyryBO1u0_i_tfhBwgapIX6h5Eko6U6-AN4NcLaWQP1EZ3k9bQrfn7VLmwNwfsGq2Fd52DL9npeu452FHA4yPxI1NvTAdL4qAD3ZCTKMipz5-FPApoXAqskCq27Ud_JGODIvLnozxpRisjw/w743-h911/EASTERN%20HEROES%20-%20BRUCE%20LEE.png" width="743" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When I draw hands I invariably use my own as reference when I'm drawing. They are just too... "handy" not to. I always have them at "hand". (Ugh, <i>sorry</i>.) But I do make an attempt to alter them anatomically to suit the person I'm drawing. Make the fingers shorter or the palm fatter, whatever. Yet even after all that, when I look at the finished art, I still immediately recognize them as <i>my</i> hands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">(I once placed my hands inside Jackie Chan's hand prints. His fingers are much shorter than mine, but they are spread so far apart it was painfully difficult to make mine even fit inside the print. It's not something you realize when watching a film, but the differences becomes very evident when given the opportunity to do what I did.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well, that's it for ole 2022. I hope to continue this blog in 2023 as I have a ton more stuff to share. I like to spread it out and wait for the products to hit shelves before posting the artwork here. But more goodness is forthcoming.</div><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p></blockquote><p>Since Michelle Yeoh had such a good year in 2022, I'll kick off 2023 with some artwork I've done for her classic films. Stay tuned to this channel (blog? website? whatever.)... </p><p>Happy New Year everyone! <br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p></p>Darrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09136163878871802137noreply@blogger.com0