Art Show: Horrible Imaginings

. Posted by Sherrie Thai by Shaireproductions.com



Here are my submissions for the wonderfully dark and decadent "Horrible Imaginings Films Festival/Art Show" in San Diego.

Artwork: Headless Horseman

. Posted by Sherrie Thai of ShaireProductions.com





I've always loved Washington Irving's "Legend of Sleepy Hallow". Here is my version of the classic gothic character, complete with a zombie horse. The pencil drawing was colored in Photoshop, with a slight fog added to the background.

Video: Break Disciples, B-boy Documentary

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The opening visuals of this clip are simple, but stunning--black and white with selective coloring--creating a dynamic montage. I'm a huge fan of hip-hop, so I had to share this great video, directed by the incredible b-boy, Roxrite.

Inspiration: District 9 Viral Marketing Campaign

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

The ad campaign for District 9 is reminiscent of the viral marketing of the Dark Knight and Watchmen with (on and offline) banners in various cities, reminding people to keep watch for subversive activity. There is an alternative website promoting the film--D-9--involving the Multinational United (MNU). Though the viral marketing isn't as extensive as The Dark Knight's, the inclusion of an alien language on the fictional blog site MPU Spreads Lies is a nice touch. The interactivity between the brand and audience strengthens the brand popularity and creates a compelling dialogue.

Artwork: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Profile

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

This skin design was created for the Harry Potter profile on Bebo. It's a photo-collage/layout based on photo assets from the film. Check out the super cool site here.

Inspiration: Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" 2010 Film

Posted by Sherrie Thai of Shaire Productions.

A master of visual style, Tim Burton takes on "Alice in Wonderland" with the immensely talented Johnny Depp (Mad Hatter) and Helena Bonham Carter (Red Queen). Through a combination of stop-motion, digital animation and live-action, this film is sure to be a visual treat.

Inspiration: Where the Wild Things Are Skateboards

Thought these products from Spike Jonze's The Girl Skateboard Company were a great tease for the new live-action version of "Where the Wild Things Are".

Video: MORE Short Film by Mark Osborne

I've seen "More" in 1999 and was unable to find it till now. (Whoohoo!) Created in stop-motion, "More" is a wonderful short film. You could find out more at HappyProduct.com.

Inspiration: Coraline and Henry Selick

I've been a huge fan of Henry Selick without realizing it. He's the man behind (one of my all-time favs) "The Nightmare Before Christmas" and "James and the Giant Peach." His latest creation Coraline has been a three-year project shot entirely in 3-D stop-motion animation. Linking up with heavy-hitter Neil Gaiman (fantasy writer who's film work includes Stardust and Beowolf), the film is as whimsical and endearing as his past work. It's a beautiful piece of artistry, produced by Oregon-based Laika.

Here are some articles on Henry Selick:
-Oregon Live
-Digital Media FX
-Film Monthly

Inspiration: The Rape of Europa

The Rape of Europa documentary (from Menemsha Films) is based on the book of the same name by Lynn H. Nicholas. It's a emotional look at the plundering of art in World War II by mass murderer and rejected artist, Hitler (as explored in the film, Max) and the Nazis, the social effects of the loss, art's place in culture, and the Monument Men (who protected cultural treasures during the war).

From the film, it was reported that millions (!) of artworks were stolen from historical sites, museums, and countless victims of the Nazis. Some of the classical pieces were from Da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo. Others included the (Hitler dubbed "Degenerate Artists") works of Van Gogh and Picasso. Backed by old news reel footage, The Rape of Europa is a compelling story--not just from an art perspective, but a cultural one. Religious artifacts (Torahs, bells, etc.) and the classic art treasures were housed in underground Nazi caves for the intention of being sent to Hitler's (unbuilt) museum of art. Translating the millions of lives severed from the Holocaust into material objects is an astounding one. The film also touched on the stories of soldiers and their conflicts of saving lives vs. preserving historic monuments. Interviews from residents, victims, and historians recall the role of art for them--it was a source of history, memory, culture, and ultimately, identity.