Warner Bros
Godzilla
Movie Poster
Case Study
2019. Los Angeles, California. Godzilla King of All Monsters Movie Premier.
the case
study
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Background: Commissioned by Warner Bros for the movie premiere at ArcLight Theater.
Personal Connection: My love for Godzilla movies and the excitement of moving to LA to enter the film industry.
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Objective: Design a movie poster featuring one, two, or three monsters from the film.
Creative Freedom: Minimal guidelines, allowing for artistic expression.
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Limited Reference Material: Only trailers provided, no access to the full movie.
Design Note: This limitation pushed me to rely on my instincts and creativity, making the process more intuitive and organic.
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Classic Posters: Studied posters from "Attack from Mars," "Airplane," "ET," "Gremlins," "The Goonies," and of course Godzilla.
Design Note: These posters were not just advertisements; they were works of art that captured the imagination and spirit of the films they represented.
Visual Style: Emphasis on colorful, graphic elements reminiscent of manga covers.
Design Note: Leaning into the vibrant and dynamic aesthetics helped create a visually striking piece that stood out.
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Concept Development: Brainstorming ideas based on trailer content and classic poster styles.
Design Note: The concept was to capture the epic scale and excitement of the Godzilla universe.
Execution: Creating the artwork with a focus on vibrant colors and dynamic compositions.
Design Note: The use of bold colors, dramatic compositions, and intricate details conveyed the intensity and grandeur of the monsters.
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Final Poster: A unique, visually striking piece that captures the essence of the film and pays homage to classic movie posters.
Reception: Positive feedback from Warner Bros and attendees at the premiere.
Design Note: Seeing the final poster displayed at the premiere was incredibly rewarding and validated the effort put into the design.
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Personal Growth: Expanded my skills and appreciation for movie poster design.
Design Note: This project allowed me to explore a new facet of the film industry and merge my love for films with my artistic skills.
Industry Insight: Gained valuable experience and insight into the film industry.
Design Note: The experience reinforced my passion for creating visually compelling artwork and solidified my commitment to contributing to the film industry in meaningful ways.
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Summary: The poster for "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" was a resounding success. Seeing it displayed on the walls at the ArcLight Theater, with people taking pictures of it and pointing it out, was an incredibly empowering experience. It validated all the hard work and creativity that went into the design, and it was thrilling to see my vision come to life in such a public and celebrated way.
Design Note: The philosophy behind this work was rooted in a desire to revive the artistry and excitement of classic movie posters.
Future Aspirations: This project has solidified my passion for movie posters and inspired me to push the boundaries of promotional artwork. I am eager to continue exploring new opportunities in this field, whether it's designing book covers, game posters, event promotions, or other creative projects. The experience has shown me the impact that well-crafted visual art can have, and I am excited to keep celebrating my work through various forms of promotion.
The poster for "Godzilla: King of the Monsters was a resounding success.
Philosophy
Behind
the design.
Creating the poster for "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" was a unique and exhilarating opportunity that allowed me to blend my passion for classic movie posters with my love for the Godzilla franchise. This project was not just about designing a poster; it was about capturing the essence of what makes movie posters an exciting and integral part of the cinematic experience.
The minimal guidelines provided by Warner Bros were a blessing, as they allowed me to fully express my artistic vision. The only requirement was to include one, two, or three monsters from the film, which gave me the freedom to explore various creative directions without being constrained by specific instructions.
Working with only the trailers as reference material was challenging. I believe that having access to the full movie would have provided deeper insights into the characters and themes. However, this limitation pushed me to rely on my instincts and creativity, making the process more intuitive and organic.
My disdain for the current state of movie posters, dominated by streaming services that often prioritize star power over artistic merit, fueled my desire to create something reminiscent of the posters that excited me as a child. I drew inspiration from the vibrant, graphic styles of classic posters like "Attack from Mars," "Airplane," "ET," "Gremlins," and "The Goonies."
These posters were not just advertisements; they were works of art that captured the imagination and spirit of the films they represented.
I leaned into the colorful and dynamic aesthetics of classic Godzilla posters, which often felt like manga covers. This approach allowed me to create a visually striking piece that stood out and captured the epic scale and excitement of the Godzilla universe. The use of bold colors, dramatic compositions, and intricate details helped convey the intensity and grandeur of the monsters.
This project was a significant milestone in my career, as it allowed me to explore a new facet of the film industry that I had not previously considered. Designing movie posters became a way to merge my love for films with my artistic skills, leading to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for the craft.
The philosophy behind this work was rooted in a desire to revive the artistry and excitement of classic movie posters. By embracing creative freedom, overcoming challenges, and drawing inspiration from nostalgic elements, I aimed to create a poster that not only promoted the film but also celebrated the rich history of movie poster design. This experience reinforced my passion for creating visually compelling artwork and solidified my commitment to contributing to the film industry in meaningful ways.
Creating the poster for "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" was an incredible experience. The way Godzilla stands triumphantly on a pile of skulls with a fiery, destroyed cityscape in the background is something I'm really proud of. The crown made of bones and the staff with three dragon heads add a regal and menacing touch, perfectly capturing the "King of the Monsters" theme. The lightning bolts striking in the sky above enhance the dramatic effect.
I used bold colors and dynamic composition to bring the poster to life, drawing inspiration from the vibrant, graphic styles of classic movie posters.
This piece not only promotes the film but also stands as a work of art in its own right.
the process
Investigating Existing Godzilla Posters
The first phase in the process was investigating existing Godzilla posters. This was a very inspiring process; the colors, the energy, and the creativity inspired me deeply.
There was so much whimsy and playfulness to it, and that's where I excel creatively. It was exciting to see that my natural style lent itself to the work, and there was no need to try to create something that wasn't me.
As a young artist, it can be intimidating to have a big movie company as a client. You want it to be good, you want it to be you, and you want to deliver what the client asked for.
Even though I was given creative freedom, it was still something in the back and front of my mind. I wanted to make sure I got paid and they didn't hate it. 😅
Here are a few posters that I discovered during my investigation that found very appealing.
Exploratory Sketches: Finding My Godzilla
Creating the poster for "Godzilla: King of the Monsters" began with a series of exploratory sketches. The goal was to find my unique interpretation of Godzilla while honoring his iconic visual language. Each sketch represents a different take on the legendary monster, focusing on varying facial features and expressions.
Sketch 1: This version features round eyes, a wide mouth with sharp teeth, and small spikes on the head, giving Godzilla a more approachable yet fierce look.
Sketch 2: A more streamlined interpretation with narrow eyes, a pointed snout, and larger spikes running down the back, emphasizing a sleek and menacing appearance.
Sketch 3: This sketch showcases Godzilla with large eyes, an open mouth displaying sharp teeth, and prominent spikes along the head and back, capturing a balance between ferocity and regality.
These sketches were integral in the process of developing a final design that stayed true to Godzilla's iconic presence while allowing my artistic vision to shine through. The exploration helped me understand the nuances of Godzilla's character and how to best represent him in the poster.
Layout and World Building
After finalizing my version of Godzilla, the next step was to work on the layout of the world. This involved finding the right pose and position for all the elements I wanted to include in the storytelling and world-building.
The sketches, Godzilla holding a staff with a dragon head on top, standing amidst a pile of skulls. In the background, the burning city buildings and clouds, adding to the dramatic and apocalyptic atmosphere.
Pose and Position: I experimented with different poses to ensure Godzilla looked both powerful and regal. The stance needed to convey dominance and strength, fitting for the "King of the Monsters."
Background Elements: The city buildings and clouds were carefully positioned to enhance the sense of scale and destruction. These elements helped create a narrative that Godzilla had emerged victorious in a battle, standing amidst the ruins of a city.
Storytelling: Each element in the layout was chosen to contribute to the overall story. The pile of skulls, the staff with monster heads, and the fiery background all worked together to depict a world where Godzilla reigns supreme.
This stage was crucial in bringing the poster to life, ensuring that every detail contributed to the epic and immersive world I wanted to create.
Color Swatches and Final Touches
Once I figured out the layout, the next step was to work on the color swatches and the overall coloring of the world. For this, I revisited the old manga-like Japanese Godzilla movie posters, which are known for their vibrant and dynamic color schemes.
The image shows two versions of the illustration side by side:
Left Version: Features cooler colors with blue and green tones, creating a more eerie and mysterious atmosphere.
Right Version: Uses warmer colors with green and orange tones, adding a sense of intensity and destruction.
Color Choices: I experimented with different color palettes to find the perfect balance that would enhance the dramatic effect of the poster. The cooler tones evoke a sense of foreboding, while the warmer tones highlight the chaos and devastation.
Influence of Classic Posters: The vibrant colors and dynamic compositions of classic Japanese Godzilla posters were a major influence. These posters often felt like manga covers, and I wanted to capture that same energy and excitement.
Final Touches: The color swatches were crucial in bringing the world to life, ensuring that every element contributed to the epic and immersive atmosphere. The fiery background, the lightning bolts, and the detailed depiction of Godzilla all worked together to create a visually striking piece.
This stage was essential in finalizing the poster, making sure it not only captured the essence of the film but also stood out as a work of art in its own right.
Growing up watching Godzilla movies, I've always had a deep love for the franchise. Being able to contribute to Godzilla in any capacity is truly a dream come true.
Throughout my life, I've created many things, and you never know where your art will take you. I'm incredibly grateful that my art brought me into the Monsterverse of Godzilla and friends.
Adventure Awaits…
with love + imagination
-MR. TOMONOSHi!