Shows
The Poster Boys59: 2019 In ReviewFor the final episode of The Poster Boys, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith round up the most notable movie posters of 2019, celebrating some of their personal favorites while reflecting on general trends in key art, festival posters, design agencies, and other aspects of the industry. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Movie Poster of the Week Screen Fonts Posterized Propaganda...2019-12-042h 21
The Poster Boys58: Martin ScorseseWith Martin Scorsese’s critically-acclaimed new film THE IRISHMAN hitting theaters and Netflix this month, poster designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith take a look back at the posters of Scorsese’s filmography. From his early iconic classics like MEAN STREETS and THE KING OF COMEDY to his additional DeNiro collaborations TAXI DRIVER and RAGING BULL, as well as his genre diversions AFTER HOURS and BRINGING OUT THE DEAD and his recent string of Dicaprio-led hits like THE DEPARTED and THE WOLF OF WALL STREET, the Boys reflect on poster design trends from the late 70’s to today. The...2019-11-011h 54
The Poster Boys57: Movie Posters of the 70’s - Part 2It’s the Movie Posters of the 70′s - PART TWO! This month on The Poster Boys podcast, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith complete their annual deep-dive into American film posters from an entire decade; this time: the 1970’s. In the second of an epic two-part special, The Poster Boys round out their list of favorite and noteworthy graphic designs from a tremendous decade of key art. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreo...2019-09-301h 53
The Poster Boys56: Movie Posters of the 70’sDesigners Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith take an annual deep-dive into American film posters from an entire decade; this time: the 1970’s. In the first of an epic two-part special, The Poster Boys look at key art contributions by legendary illustrators of the era including Milton Glaser, Richard Amsel, Ted Coconis, and Jack Davis, as well as contributions from countless other designers and illustrators who created challenging and memorable poster art in an analog era long before today’s design technologies emerged. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to t...2019-09-061h 38
The Poster Boys55: Fischer-NosbischThis month on The Poster Boys podcast, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith celebrate the movie poster designs of Dorothea Fischer-Nosbisch and Fritz Fischer, partners and unsung heroes who designed stunning posters and programs for Atlas Films in 1960′s Germany alongside like Hans Hillmann, Heinz Edelmann, and other members of their award-winning design collective NOVUM which they founded. Displaying a range of styles incorporating expressive illustration, typography, and photography, Fischer-Nosbisch’s work connects to modern-day film poster design in refreshing and inspiring ways. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addi...2019-08-021h 23
The Poster Boys54: Disney RenaissanceWith Disney’s Aladdin now in theaters and their upcoming release of The Lion King arriving this summer, The Poster Boys head back to their animated origins by diving into the Disney Renaissance! From The Little Mermaid to Tarzan, Brandon and Sam look back on and discuss the process behind some of Disney’s most iconic film posters from 1989 to 1999. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys. SHOW NOTES & LINKS 2019-07-021h 30
The Poster BoysBONUS: The Flat File - PIXARExclusively to Patreon supporters of The Poster Boys, The Flat File is a monthly bonus podcast that features designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith taking an in-depth look at the posters from around the world made for a particular classic film. This month on The Flat File, we take a look at the official posters for the Pixar movie library, from TOY STORY to… TOY STORY 4! With Lightning McQueen, The Incredibles, Coco, Wall-E, Dory, Sully, Remy, and Nemo along the way, the Boys discuss the unique considerations that apply to creating and viewing animated film posters, and comp...2019-06-281h 08
The Poster Boys53: Japanese Film PostersThis month on The Poster Boys, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith survey the history of Japanese Film Posters, defined by gorgeous photo-collage, dynamic uses of scale, color, and typography, and an overall unique elegance with the occasional zany flair. While not much is known (in English) about the production of these designs, their excellence is overdue for greater appreciation. Brandon and Sam select some of their favorites, including posters for many of the arthouse classics of the modern era, and highlight key designers including Masakatsu Ogasawara, Kiyoshi Awazu, and Tadanori Yokoo. The Poster Boys are now...2019-05-311h 51
The Poster Boys52: Marvel Movie Poster SpectacularAs AVENGERS: ENDGAME hits theatres, The Poster Boys reflect on eleven years of theatrical posters promoting the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Highlighting the various and changing agencies that handled these enormous Hollywood campaigns, as well as the colorful alternative posters commissioned in partner with Mondo and IMAX, Brandon and Sam point out aesthetic trends, hits and misses, and attempt to shatter some of the myths about poster-making on this supersized scale. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus...2019-04-262h 18
The Poster Boys51: Q&A with Sam and BrandonQ&A time!! For the first episode after 50, The Poster Boys answer questions about posters, process, design, clients, movies, life, and everything in between. A special to thanks to the listeners who reached out and helped make this episode possible! The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Scott Saslow Bryan West DRW Neven Udovičić Midnight Marauder JefCaine Daniel No...2019-03-292h 49
The Poster Boys50: The 50 Greatest Movie Posters Ever!If you could preserve only fifty movie posters, what would they be? For their 50th episode, The Poster Boys try to answer that question for themselves by traveling back through the last 100+ years of key art from around the globe to select fifty of their favorites. From 1920’s Sweden to the US in the present day, Brandon and Sam discuss what they’d save and why they’d leave certain posters behind. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclus...2019-02-283h 36
The Poster Boys49: John AlvinKicking off the start of a new year, The Poster Boys dive into the work of the legendary poster art of John Alvin, who found notoriety as an artist at Intralink Film and Graphic Design before establishing Alvin & Associates with his wife Andrea in the early 1990s. From Blade Runner to Beauty and the Beast, Brandon and Sam look back on and discuss the process behind some of the most iconic film posters ever created between the mid-1970s all the way through the early 2000s. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content...2019-01-312h 08
The Poster Boys48: 2018 In ReviewDesigners Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith round up the most notable movie posters of 2018, celebrating some of their personal favorites while reflecting on general trends in key art, festival posters, design agencies, and other aspects of the industry. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Adam Maida interview Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Has Ended by Thom Yorke from SUSPIRIA (2018). Than...2018-12-282h 14
The Poster Boys47: Philip GipsThis month, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith do a little detective work uncovering the key art designed by Philip Gips, a business partner of acclaimed advertising director Stephen Frankfurt, including iconic and famous poster designs for ROSEMARY’S BABY, DOWNHILL RACER, and ALIEN among others previously attributed to Frankfurt. Gips, who also designed the ESPN logo, was a key member of the New York design community in the late 60’s that fostered contemporaries such as Saul Bass. In this podcast, he is celebrated and reframed as an unsung legend of modern poster design. The Poster Boys are...2018-11-271h 55
The Poster Boys46: Italian HorrorAfter opening the Flat File on Dario Argento’s SUSPIRIA for their Patreon supporters last month, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith survey the macabre visions of Italian Horror film posters. These wild and weird designs, much like Argento, Bava, Martino, and Fulci’s films themselves, tap into the highest and lowest measures of aesthetics, from the sleaziest to the sublime. The Poster Boys are now offering bonus episodes and exclusive content on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys. SHOW NOTES & LINK...2018-10-292h 03
The Poster Boys45: Akiko StehrenbergerThe Poster Boys interview one of the most accomplished and multitalented movie poster artists working today: Akiko Stehrenberger. Jumping between styles from the photorealistic (including her award-winning FUNNY GAMES poster listed by Adrian Curry as the best movie poster of the decade) to the playful (in winking illustrated spoofs on National Lampoon and Yellow Submarine) to deceptively simple photographic solutions, Akiko works independently with filmmakers and clients as well as with shops and agencies to produce truly stunning and unique key art with a human touch and a visionary, often times surreal, aesthetic voice. After speaking with Akiko on...2018-10-011h 32
The Poster Boys44: Seven SamuraiCoinciding with the launching of The Poster Boys on Patreon (patreon.com/theposterboys), this month designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith are changing it up! Hitting the drawing board to unveil original posters designs for SEVEN SAMURAI, as chosen by listeners, the boys discuss their design process, celebrating the unique, different approaches designers can take to honor Akira Kurosawa’s classic film in the form of a fresh and iconic poster. They also open the Flat File to look at the other SEVEN SAMURAI posters from around the world. Top-level patrons in the Poster Boys’ new Patreon community can own...2018-09-111h 56
The Poster Boys43: Movie Posters of the 80’s - Part 2In Part II of The Poster Boys’ 80’s movie poster spectacular, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith pick up right where they left off last month, hand-selecting and discussing their favorite Movie Posters of the 1980’s, from the remarkable illustrated work of John Alvin (EMPIRE OF THE SUN) and Robert Tanenbaum (ERNEST GOES TO CAMP) to the iconic and enduring power of designs for 80’s classics like GHOSTBUSTERS and E.T., not to mention the decade’s most uncanny horror film posters, from FRIDAY THE 13TH to THE VISITOR, finding new appreciation for a transitional period in poster design. SHOW...2018-07-312h 07
The Poster Boys42: Movie Posters of the 80’s - Part 1This summer, The Poster Boys take an extended trip back to the movie theatre lightboxes and video stores of their childhoods, and survey the Movie Posters of the 80’s in a two-part spectacular. In Part I, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith comment on trends in 80’s poster design, titles, typography, and branding, holding both photo-based designs and richly illustrated painted works on the same playing field as pieces of key art worthy of both nostalgic remembrance and fresh objectivity. SHOW NOTES & LINKS People Only Die of Love in Movies: Film Writing by Jim Ridley2018-07-021h 45
The Poster Boys41: Bill Gold AdvertisingWith the recent passing of Bill Gold, The Poster Boys look back on the design studio headed by one of the biggest names in film advertising for over 40 years. From Casablanca to Mystic River, Brandon and Sam touch on Gold’s early days as an in-house designer at Warner Bros. before diving into the numerous film poster campaigns he and his collaborators created for some of cinema’s most enduring works. After the Bill Gold Advertising studio tour, the boys open up the Flat File to take a quick look at the posters for the 1973 horror classic, The Exorcist. 2018-05-312h 16
The Poster Boys40: Czechoslovak Film PostersThis month, The Poster Boys take a second trip back to eastern Europe after the second world war to look at the history behind the rise and decline of the Czechoslovak film poster. Brandon and Sam weave in and out through the late 1940s down through the early 1990s to shed some light on the the world the artists of post-war Czechoslovakia inhabited and the designs they created for some of cinema’s most treasured films. A special thanks to Jozef of www.jozefsquare.com for his help in researching this episode. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Fo...2018-04-302h 19
The Poster Boys39: Ingmar BergmanIn honor of Janus Films’ centennial retrospective of Ingmar Bergman’s Cinema, the Poster Boys survey the film posters of the influential and iconic Swedish auteur. From arthouse classics like THE SEVENTH SEAL and CRIES AND WHISPERS to overseas sensations SUMMER WITH MONIKA and PERSONA, Bergman’s films saw creative and visionary poster designs in Germany, Poland, Japan, Italy, the Czech Republic, and the US, providing a veritable international poster tour for listeners and cinephiles this month. SHOW NOTES & LINKS The Headless Women Project Hall of Femmes Klimowski Poster Book Movie Poster of the...2018-03-302h 21
The Poster Boys38: Barbara KrugerAfter a small break due to technical difficulties, The Poster Boys are back! This month, Brandon and Sam dive into the work of renowned artist Barbara Kruger, looking back to the beginning of her career as a designer to see how she used her training as an art director at Condé Nast to bridge the gap between fine art and graphic design. From posters to billboards to editorial art, the boys discuss some of their favorite pieces, and examine how form and content can be used as a force for good. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Edel R...2018-02-271h 30
The Poster Boys37: Best of 2017The Poster Boys discuss the 2017 Year in Movie Posters. Designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith select the theatrical posters, teasers, and campaigns that caught their eye this year, discussing design trends, film branding, the importance of context when comparing agency work to freelance work, and reflecting on their own personal experiences as poster designers in 2017. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Graphic Design Criticism as a Spectator Sport by Michael Bierut Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme. Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth. Special thanks to producer Adri...2017-12-212h 15
The Poster Boys36: Holiday Gift GuideIt’s an extra special light episode centered almost entirely around dead trees! This month, Brandon and Sam try something a little different in time for the holidays: they look at some of their favorite art and design related books published (or found) throughout the year and do their best to suggest them as gifts, while making impassioned arguments for local libraries along the way. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Visit theposterboys.tumblr.com to for links to our holiday gift selections. Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme, O Tannenbaum and Christmas Time Is Here b...2017-11-241h 27
The Poster Boys35: Stephen KingFind a flashlight and a blanket to hide under, because The Poster Boys are taking a Halloween themed trip down memory lane with the work of Stephen King. This month, Brandon and Sam discuss their favorite book covers and film posters from (and based on) the bestselling author’s more chilling tales, diving into the differences between marketing a story for print and film while reminiscing about how inescapable King’s presence was when they were growing up. SHOW NOTES & LINKS James Jean Interview Olimpia Zagnoli Skillshare Astro Alphabet Music selections: “Bass o...2017-10-241h 44
The Poster Boys34: The Process - Part 1This month, Brandon and Sam journey back into their own lives to discuss how they first got involved in design, and the ways in which their process has changed over time. From school flyers to fake toy packaging, the boys share stories from their childhood and discuss how they both went from designing film posters for fun to making it into a career. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Carnage for Kids Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme, Great Southern Land from the Young Einstein Original Soundtrack, excerpt from Mr. Rogers draws a house. Fo...2017-09-282h 22
The Poster Boys33: Back to SchoolGrab your lunch, pack your books and get ready for the first day of class! This month on the show, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith head back to the halls of academia, diving into some of the most notable posters for films centered in or around the school. From Pretty in Pink to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, the boys look back at their favorites while trying to piece together the process behind some of the genre’s most iconic pieces of key art. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Sela Lewis / The Papyrus Problem: Hating the Use...2017-08-311h 51
The Poster Boys32: Planet of the ApesWith War For the Planet of the Apes now in theaters, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look back at the film poster history of the long running franchise. Starting from the original 1968 classic and moving through the subsequent sequels, remakes, and reboots, the boys discuss how deeper approaches to creating poster art can play second fiddle to more commercial directives when promoting a blockbuster, and the ways in which the marketing for a series can change (or stay the same) over time. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Silent London - Silent Film Posters Design. Revolt...2017-07-311h 39
The Poster Boys31: David LynchWith the return of Twin Peaks after 26 years, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look back at the posters that have accompanied the many films of David Lynch in their first director-themed episode. From Eraserhead to Inland Empire, the boys discuss how Lynch’s unique cinematic vision has been marketed both in the US and abroad since 1977 while looking at the role a one-sheet plays in honoring a filmmaker’s work. Plus: listener feedback and a few words on the state of the superhero movie poster in 2017. SHOW NOTES & LINKS What David Lynch’s Use of Typ...2017-06-302h 31
The Poster Boys30: Jacqueline S. CaseyBest known as a designer and later director of the Office of Publications at MIT, Jacqueline Casey created some of the most striking graphics for lectures and events at the prestigious school for over 30 years. This month on the podcast, Brandon and Sam look back at the work and career from one of America’s most prominent practitioners of the Swiss Style before opening the Flat File and discussing the film posters created for Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 science fiction classic, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. SHOW NOTES & LINKS WOMEN OF GRAPHIC DESIGN MID-CENTURY MODERN WOMEN IN THE...2017-05-301h 53
The Poster Boys29: Dot Graphics & Janus FilmsThis month, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look at the iconic and unsung film posters created for Janus Films in the 70’s by Dot Graphics, the award-winning Denver-based design team of Lee Reedy and Robert Clayton. Across over two-dozen posters, Dot Graphics created bold and powerful key art for masterpieces of foreign cinema, showcasing their skill in typography, illustration, and art direction, old-school and computer-free. Years before the launch of the Criterion Collection, Reedy and Clayton foreshadowed a new graphic approach to film advertising in the arthouse industry. PLUS: a look in the Flat File at Dot’s one...2017-04-281h 56
The Poster Boys28: Movie Posters of the 90’sThe best movie posters of the 90’s, on the new episode of The Poster Boys. Designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith reflect on their favorite one-sheets produced in the 90’s, discussing the posters that made impressions on them as kids, those that had a formative impact on their design sensibilities, and those that still hold up today for their branding, balance, use of photography, and iconic power, from THE ROCKETEER and HOME ALONE to NAKED LUNCH and Akira Kurosawa’s DREAMS. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Vic Fair Interview Alan Aldridge Interview Twelve Monkeys Documentary (Poster...2017-03-283h 01
The Poster Boys27: Stenberg BrothersThis month on The Poster Boys, Brandon and Sam head back to the 1920s to look at the incredible film posters born out of the Russian Revolution and the work of two of Russia’s most prominent designers in particular, Vladimir and Georgii Stenberg. Despite a tragically short career, the Stenberg Brothers crafted over 300 posters during a period fraught with societal and technological change while becoming the pioneers of design and advertising techniques used throughout the world to this day. Also in this episode: a look in the Flat File at the poster designs for Buster Keaton’s silent come...2017-02-282h 05
The Poster Boys26: Georg OldenFor The Poster Boys’ first episode of 2017, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look at the life and work of Georg Olden, one of the most prominent and influential black executives in the American advertising business. Olden designed and art directed countless television title cards for CBS television which embodied the most timeless qualities of modern graphic design, and additionally designed for the Office of Strategic Services before it became the CIA, for the conference that founded the United Nations, and became the first African American to design a stamp for the United States Postal Service. Also in this ep...2017-01-191h 32
The Poster Boys25: 2016 In ReviewDesigners Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look back at 2016’s most interesting and iconic theatrical movie posters, each selecting a large handful of their favorites to discuss while reflecting on trends in the world of film poster design, ever-changing amidst the growth of the on-demand streaming industry. Plus, Sam asks Brandon about some of his experiences and reflections having designed over fifty finished theatrical posters this year. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Adrian Curry’s Movie Posters of the Year at The Notebook Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme; CHRISTINE original score by Danny Bensi an...2016-12-182h 05
The Poster Boys24: Barbara ‘Basha’ BaranowskaThis month on The Poster Boys podcast, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look at the diverse work of Polish poster artist Barbara Baranowska, also known simply as ‘Basha.’ An essential voice in the Polish Poster School (see also last May’s episode for more), Basha created a chameleonic oeuvre while living in post-war Poland and France through the 60′s and 70′s, including iconic posters for films ranging from Zulawski’s POSSESSION to WILLY WONKA. The Poster Boys also chat about some books and designs that have caught their attention lately, and open the Flat File to look at the posters...2016-11-152h 23
The Poster Boys23: Hammer HorrorBest known for their gothic horror, Hammer Films produced motion pictures from the late 1950s until the 1970s that have since become classics of the genre. In celebration of the Halloween season, The Poster Boys look at the history surrounding the posters from several of their more notable releases. From The Mummy with Peter Cushing to Dracula AD 1972 with Christopher Lee, Brandon and Sam discuss the changes in marketing over the years, and examine some of their favorite pieces of Hammer key art from all corners of the world. SHOW NOTES & LINKS 1980’s Horror Movie Po...2016-10-191h 38
The Poster Boys22: Film Posters in the 21st Century - Part 2Drawing from their experience as poster designers, hosts Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith take a general look at the ins and outs of film poster design in the 21st century, and how commercial factors like billing blocks, logo placement, and actor likenesses have shaped poster design from the 70’s to today. The Poster Boys also chat about some books, sites, and poster designs that have caught their eye recently, and then open the Flat File to take a look at the poster art for Steven Spielberg’s JAWS, including the iconic key art by painter Roger Kastel. * Part I can...2016-09-191h 57
The Poster Boys21: Dick BrunaOn this month’s episode of The Poster Boys podcast, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look at the inspiring life and iconic work of Dutch designer Dick Bruna, from his hundreds of book cover designs to his children’s books and characters, and his designs for his home town of Utrecht in The Netherlands, from whence host Sam brings a report from his recent trip. Plus: This month in The Flat File, the book covers and poster art for PSYCHO. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Dick Bruna / Miffy official website Original book covers by Dick Brun...2016-08-152h 05
The Poster Boys20: Bob PeakSpanning a decades long career with over 130 film posters to his name, illustrator Bob Peak has left an indelible mark on audiences everywhere. This month, Brandon and guest host Jay Shaw dive into the career of the man who has been called “the father of the modern movie poster” and examine the other areas of American culture that felt his unique touch throughout the years. They also crack open the Flat File to look at the art and design for the 1975 Norman Jewison Sci-Fi dystopian film Rollerball. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Bob Peak + Shop Illustration #62016-07-152h 02
The Poster Boys19: Brandon & Sam’s Favorites - Part 2This month The Poster Boys continue with a look back at their favorite movie posters ever. In the second of a two-part episode, Brandon and Sam reflect on the film posters that have left a lasting impact on them in recent years, including those by artists from Poland, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Cuba, and some of Hollywood’s most striking one-sheets from Silence of the Lambs to Rosemary’s Baby. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Movie Poster of the Week: “Une femme douce” and the Posters of Olga Poláčková-Vyleťalová Movie Poster of the Week: "Le...2016-06-151h 24
The Poster Boys18: Brandon & Sam’s Favorites - Part 1This month Brandon and Sam look back at their favorite movie posters ever. In the first of a two-part episode, the Poster Boys reflect on the movie posters of their childhood and the designs that captured their imagination growing up, from the art of Faerie Tale Theatre to Robocop and The Rocketeer. SHOW NOTES & LINKS Art of the Modern Movie Poster, Judith Salavetz, Spencer Drate, and Sam Sarowitz, with text by Dave Kehr, Chronicle Books Faerie Tale Theatre artwork gallery John Mattos film posters Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme; The...2016-05-161h 20
The Poster Boys17: Corita KentThis month The Poster Boys look at the life and art of Corita Kent. A nun and teacher at Immaculate Heart College, and beginning in 1964 the chair of its art department, her silkscreens combined religious language with that of American advertising culture and the spirit of 60’s modern art. As a teacher, her philosophy and class exercises brought a radical and fresh perspective not just to the spiritual ideas of the church but to the artistic and creative process overall. Brandon and Sam reflect on her teachings and work, then open the Flat File for a look at the po...2016-04-132h 03
The Poster Boys16: Batman v SupermanFrom their small, separate start on the silver screen in the 1940s to joining forces for one of the most anticipated epics hitting theaters in 2016, Batman and Superman have woven in and out of cinematic history for over 70 years. Leaving in their wake a plethora of film posters, the Poster Boys look back through the key art that defined each cinematic interpretation of two massive cultural icons and use their highs and lows to examine the constantly changing trends within the industry.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
The Dissolve: How the 1989 Batman logo helped set the course...2016-03-143h 03
The Poster Boys15: Cuban Film PostersThis month the Poster Boys survey the Golden Age of Cuban Posters, created during and after the Cuban Revolution. In addition to the iconic social and political posters that celebrated Cuba’s cultural pride and solidarity with other nations, hundreds of silkscreen film posters were produced during the 60’s which reflected the distinct styles and humble ingenuity of Cuba’s poster artists. Brandon and Sam reflect on the processes of these artists and appreciate how much their posters have influenced their own personal philosophies as designers. The Flat File looks at the Cuban poster for STOLEN KISSES, a top design...2016-02-232h 04The Poster Boys14: HipgnosisFor their first episode of 2016, the Poster Boys depart from the world of one-sheets for a quick spin around some of music’s most visually engaging album covers courtesy of the design powerhouse Hipgnosis. From Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, Brandon and Sam explore the prolific career of a small design studio working out of London’s Tin Pan Alley from the late 1960s until the early 1980s. They cap things off with a return to the world of film, where they open up the Flat File and find a s...2016-01-151h 53
The Poster Boys13: 2015 In ReviewTo close out their first year, the Poster Boys reflect on theatrical film poster design in 2015, sharing some of the pieces that caught their eye throughout the year and discussing the industry’s recent tropes and trends. They also take a break to talk to the artists behind two of their favorite posters of the year (Anna Katrina Bak for Queen of Earth, and Erik Buckham for The Assassin) before wrapping up with a look back on the process behind some of their own posters that they tackled in 2015.
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Adrian Curry’s Best...2015-12-151h 36
The Poster Boys12: Star Wars Poster SpectacularAhead of the release of the latest entry in the Star Wars saga, the Poster Boys pull out the history books to uncover the story behind nearly forty years of Star Wars poster art. From Howard Chaykin’s first teaser in 1976 all the way to LA’s one-sheet for The Force Awakens in 2015, Sam and Brandon look at the way designing and commissioning posters has changed with each passing year while digging into some of the franchise’s most unsung heroes. They also touch on their own history with the films, and how their understanding of the design surrounding them h...2015-11-161h 51
The Poster Boys11: Penguin BooksThis month, the Poster Boys look back at 45 years of design history at Penguin Books. From the company’s early years under the direction of typographer Jan Tschichold all the way to the end of the 1970’s with art director David Pelham, the prominent UK publishing house maintained a reliable brand identity underscored by countless striking book covers. Inspired by one such design, the boys also take their monthly dip into the Flat File to look more closely at the poster artwork for Stanley Kubrick’s A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
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AIGA’s Eye on Desig...2015-10-161h 41
The Poster Boys10: Jay ShawThis month, The Poster Boys take a break by sitting down and having a chat with Mondo creative director Jay Shaw about the role of film art in the 21st century. Together they discuss some of Jay's favorite posters and title sequences, as well as the differences between the work done by Mondo and traditional one-sheets. They also dive into the process behind getting challenging art out to the public and whether or not it has a place in advertising blockbuster films, and close the episode out by opening the Flat File to compare key art from 1978’s Invasion of...2015-09-172h 03
The Poster Boys9: The Criterion CollectionThis month, The Poster Boys celebrate the efforts behind the Criterion Collection in bringing the best classic and contemporary films to cinephiles across the country. Sam talks with esteemed designer F. Ron Miller about his career and the work he’s done with Criterion, while the boys each share and discuss ten of their favorite Criterion cover designs from the collection. Plus, some surprise guests chime in with their own picks.
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Criterion Designs Criterion Designs posts at Criterion.com Aesthetic Apparatus interview at CriterionCast Eric Skillman on designing The Ma...2015-08-202h 17
The Poster Boys8: Paul RandThis month, The Poster Boys tackle the illustrious career of America’s preeminent Modernist designer, Paul Rand. Best known as the creator of IBM and ABC television’s trademarks, Rand is often said to be the father of modern graphic design, having redefined the way an entire industry approaches everything from posters to book covers. The boys also open the Flat File to look at the posters from 1984’s time traveling cyborg thriller: that’s right, it’s James Cameron’s The Terminator!
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RIP The Dissolve Sam’s “Frames” column at The Dissolve...2015-07-171h 58
The Poster Boys7: Hans HillmannThis month, The Poster Boys look back at the career of celebrated German designer Hans Hillmann. Considered by some to have been the Saul Bass of Germany, Hillmann designed 130 posters for film between 1952 and 1974 that has left a mark on some of cinema’s greatest achievements. Also in this episode: a peek into the the Flat File to look at the various posters for Godard's BREATHLESS.
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Film Kunst Grafik The Art-House: The Beautiful Posters of Post-War Germany Dot Graphics and Janus Films Hans Hillmann interview Movie Poster of th...2015-06-181h 38
Filmspotting#538: Top 5 Movie Posters / Slow WestA Grand Jury Prize winner at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, SLOW WEST has a lot to recommend: it’s beautifully shot, is occasionally darkly funny, and its star just might be the best actor in the business. Josh and Adam review Michael Fassbender's latest and count down their Top 5 Movie Posters – with the help of design expert Sam Smith.
This episode is brought to you by MUBI.
:00-2:40 - Billboard / MUBI
2:40-28:55 - Review: "Slow West"
yMusic, "Bladed Stance"
30:11-37:23 - Polls / Notes
37:23-51:39 - Interview: Sam Smith
yMusic, "Everness"
52:38-1:01:34 - Donations / SVU
1:01:34-1:37:57 - Top 5: Movie Poster...2015-05-151h 41
The Poster Boys6: Film Posters in the 21st CenturyThis month, The Poster Boys pause to consider the contemporary movie poster and its changing role in the Video-On-Demand marketplace. Featuring an interview with designer Alex Griendling, discussing his work with large ad agencies on campaigns for films including The Dark Knight and Watchmen.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
The Lubalin Center Adrian Curry's Cannes Poster roundup Alex Griendling
Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme, "Beautiful Mechanical," yMusic.
Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.
Special thanks to producer Adrian Cobb.2015-05-151h 27
The Poster Boys5: The Polish Poster SchoolThis month, The Poster Boys take a trip back to eastern Europe after the second world war to uncover the crazy, mixed up world of Polish film posters. Brandon and Sam weave in and out through the 1940s down through the late 1980s to shed some light on the artists of Poland and the designs they created for some of cinema’s most treasured films. Also, the guys open the Flat File to look at a few of their favorite Polish film posters.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
The Other Side of the Poster Polish Film Po...2015-04-172h 09
The Poster Boys4; Bob GillThis month The Poster Boys celebrate the philosophy of Bob Gill, the beloved and legendary designer who created his own language of visual problem solving. Brandon and Sam discuss Gill's influence on their work, his rules and vocabulary of design, and his client relationships, from small businesses to Hollywood film studios.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
Graphic Design as a Second Language by Bob GillForget All the Rules You Ever Learned About Graphic Design: Including the Ones in This Book by Bob GillBob Gill's WebsiteEverything Is Design: The Work of Paul...2015-03-181h 40
The Poster Boys3: Drew StruzanThis month, your hosts Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith look at the iconic poster work of Drew Struzan, the prolific painter behind the famous one-sheets for Back to the Future, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars, among many other hits of the 80’s and 90’s. The Poster Boys also respond to some listener feedback, and open the Flat File to look at how Struzan, Richard Amsel, and the Polish poster school interpreted Raiders of the Lost Ark.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
Adrian Curry’s Movie Poster of the Day - Tumblr Adrian Curry’s Movie Poster of the Da...2015-02-162h 01
The Poster Boys2: Saul Bass - Part 2In their second episode, the Poster Boys talk about their favorite movie posters of 2014, speculate on the enigmatic posters for Stanley Kubrick’s THE SHINING, and wrap up their two-part discussion of the life and work of legendary designer Saul Bass.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
The Making of Under the Skin with Neil Kellerhouse Adrian Curry’s Best Movie Posters of 2014 at MUBI Archie Boston Interview with Saul Bass Bill Gold: Posterworks by ReelArt Press Why Man Creates Quest Kubrick’s Gold Story by Rob Ager Part 1 Part 2 Tom Bauvai...2015-01-162h 01
The Poster Boys1: Saul Bass - Part 1In their premiere podcast, the Poster Boys discuss the work of Saul Bass in the first of two-part episode on the design legend. They also chat about some new design books that have inspired them lately, and open the Flat File to discuss the various international posters for Alfred Hitchcock’s VERTIGO.
SHOW NOTES & LINKS
Saul Bass: A Life in Film and Design Brandon's "The Art House" column at Film.com Sam's process posts Ed Emberley by AMMO Books John Alvin by Titan Books Adrian Curry on VERTIGO posters
See S...2014-12-162h 05