Episodes

  • For 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
    Posterwomen Newsletter
    Posteritati
    JozefSquare

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Prelude from The Last Black Man In San Francisco; God Gave Rock And Roll To You II by KISS.

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, Logan Norris, John Paino, That Robot Guy, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Christian Laliberte, Lee Turner, Mike Guzman, Jason Suzuki, Ben Toupein, Jacob Lindström, Maddox Finkel, Matthew McCarthy Film Art Gallery, DRW, Matt McKee, Matthew Goodman, Dafna Pleban, Max A. Butler, Alex Kintzle, Robert Ewing, Scott Saslow, Sean Greathead, Llenn Kohlman, Tim Cook, Joaquin Morin, Makiko, Marie Julian, Neven Udovicic, Nico, Bryan West.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • With 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 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

    Hat and Beard Press: The Art of Akiko Stehrenberger
    Inside Martin Scorsese’s Movie Poster Collection
    MOMA: Scorsese Selects
    Alex Griendling’s unused designs for Shutter Island

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; The Ronettes - Be My Baby; Bernard Herrmann - Taxi Driver.

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, John Paino, DRW, That Robot Guy, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Christian Laliberte, Mike Guzman, Ben Toupein, Jason Suzuki, Jacob Lindström, Matt McKee, Maddox Finkel, Matthew Goodman, Matthew McCarthy Film Art Gallery, Dafna Pleban, Sean Greathead, Alex Kintzle, Scott Saslow, Robert Ewing, Max A. Butler, Unsupervised Kids - Juan, Tim Cook, Makiko, Joaquin Morin, Marie Julian, Daniel Mouton, Nico, Neven Udovicic, Logan Norris, Bryan West.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Missing episodes?

    Click here to refresh the feed.

  • It’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 Patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    Keith Phipps’ “The Laser Age” column for The Dissolve
    Sam’s Myth - Process: CARLOS
    Don Record: Hollywood’s Other Lost Title Designer

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Bruce Langhorne - The Hired Hand original soundtrack.

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, John Paino, DRW, That Robot Guy, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Christian Laliberte, Mike Guzman, Ben Toupein, Jason Suzuki, Jacob Lindström, Matt McKee, Maddox Finkel, Matthew Goodman, Matthew McCarthy Film Art Gallery, Dafna Pleban, Sean Greathead, Alex Kintzle, Scott Saslow, Robert Ewing, Max A. Butler, Unsupervised Kids - Juan, Tim Cook, Makiko, Joaquin Morin, Marie Julian, Daniel Mouton, Nico, Neven Udovicic, Logan Norris, Bryan West.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Designers 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 their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    Movie Poster of the Week: The American Film Theatre

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme, Finale by David Shire from THE CONVERSATION (1974), Music from TIME AFTER TIME (1979) by Miklos Rozsa

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, John Paino, DRW, That Robot Guy, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Christian Laliberte, Jason Suzuki, Jacob Lindström, Ben Toupein, Matthew McCarthy Film Art Gallery, Matt McKee, Dafna Pleban, Robert Ewing, Unsupervised Kids - Juan, Alex Kintzle, Max A. Butler, Tim Cook, Makiko, Scott Saslow, Marie Julian, Daniel Mouton, Logan Norris, Nico, Neven Udovicic, Bryan West, Mike Guzman, Maddox Finkel.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • This 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 addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    Film Kunst Grafik
    The Poster Boys: Hans Hillmann
    Music Production Podcast - Be PROlific
    The Beacon Cinema (Correction: Haunted Light poster by CITY SCUM)

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme, The Third Man theme by Anton Karas

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, John Paino, DRW, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Christian Laliberte, Jason Suzuki, Ben Toupein, Jacob Lindström, Matthew McCarthy, Scott Saslow, Matt McKee, Dafna Pleban, Mike Guzman, Maddox Finkel, Max A. Butler, Robert Ewing, Alex Kintzle, Juan Motoa, Unsupervised Kids, Makiko, Tim Cook, Marie Julian, Daniel Mouton, Logan Norris, Nico, Neven Udovicic, Bryan West.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • With 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

    Art of the Title: Nina Saxon: A Career Retrospective, Part 1
    Lindsay Ellis - Video Essays

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme, Part of Your World from THE LITTLE MERMAID; Friend Like Me from ALADDIN

    Thank you to our patrons: Jason Suzuki, Aschley Fish, John Paino, DRW, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Christian Laliberte, Ben Toupein, Jacob Lindström, Scott Saslow, Matthew McCarthy, Matt McKee, Maddox Finkel, Mike Guzman, Alex Kintzle, Robert Ewing, Max A. Butler, Unsupervised Kids, Juan Motoa, Tim Cook, Makiko, Marie Julian, Dafna Pleban, Daniel Mouton, Nico, Neven Udovicic, Bryan West.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Exclusively 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 compare these designs to other trends in contemporary key art.

    Want more episodes like this, along with other exclusive posts and prints? Join The Poster Boys Patreon - patreon.com/theposterboys

  • This 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 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

    Jeremy Wheeler - “Dynamic Design: The Wild World of Japanese Movie Posters
    Eiko Ishioka Poster Exhibition
    Columbia University Libraries - Hisamitsu Noguchi
    Noguchi Hisamitsu Cinema Graphics

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme, Eat from HAUSU (HOUSE)

    Thank you to our patrons: Jason Suzuki, Aschley Fish, John Paino, Jay Shaw, Midnight Marauder, Makiko, Dylan Marchetti, Ben Toupein, Jacob Lindström, Matthew McCarthy, Scott Saslow, Matt McKee, DRW, Max A. Butler, Robert Ewing, Unsupervised Kids, Dafna Pleban, Mike Guzman, Tim Cook, Juan Motoa, Nico, Marie Julian, Daniel Mouton, Bryan West, Neven Udovicic.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • As 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 content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    Hat & Beard Press - The Art of Akiko Stehrenberger
    Neflix: Rilakkuma & Kaoru

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme, All The Stars by Kendrick Lamar & SZA from BLACK PATHER (2018)

    Thank you to our patrons: John Paino, Aschley Fish, Jay Shaw, Makiko, Midnight Marauder, Dylan Marchetti, Ben Toupein, Jacob Lindström, Scott Saslow, Matthew McCarthy, Matt McKee, DRW, Dafna Pleban, Max A. Butler, Robert Ewing, Juan Motoa, Unsupervised Kids, Tim Cook, Daniel Mouton, Marie Julian, Neven Udovicic, Bryan West, Nico, Andrew Elmore.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Q&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 Norris
    Akiko Stehrenberger

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme.

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, Jay Shaw, Keenan Luciani, Max A. Butler, Midnight Marauder, Makiko, Dylan Marchetti, Ben Toupein, Jacob Lindström, Scott Saslow, Matthew McCarthy, Matt McKee, DRW, Dafna Pleban, Juan Motoa, Unsupervised Kids - Juan, Robert Ewing, Tim Cook, Andrew Elmore, Daniel Mouton, Bryan West, Neven Udovicic

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • 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 exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    The Blog of F Ron Miller
    Twitter’s Favorite Movie Posters Ever Made

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Hot And Cold by Jermaine Stewart from WEEKEND AT BERNIE'S (1989).

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, Jay Shaw, Max A. Butler, Keenan Luciani, Makiko, Midnight Marauder, Bryan West, Dylan Marchetti, Jacob Lindström, Matthew McCarthy, DRW, Dafna Pleban, Robert Ewing, Tim Cook, Juan Motoa, Andrew Elmore, Daniel Mouton, Neven Udovicic, Matt McKee, Scott Saslow.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Kicking 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 on Patreon in addition to their regular episodes. For these episodes plus much more exclusive bonus content, visit Patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    John Alvin Art
    The Art of Andrea Alvin
    ArtInsights Interview with John Alvin
    ArtInsights Gallery - Alvin Originals
    Titan Books Interview with Andrea Alvin
    The Art of Movie Posters: Interview with Andrea Alvin
    Amblin Road: Interview with Andrea Alvin
    The Hidden History of the Jurassic Park Logo by Craig Caro
    The Art of Bob Pepper
    (CORRECTION: Bob Pepper did not recently pass away, as Sam said on the show; He has been passed away for a long while! We apologize for the goof, and recommend you check out his art nonetheless!)

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Remembering Childhood from HOOK (1991); The Goonies 'R' Good Enough from THE GOONIES (1985).

    Thank you to our patrons: Jay Shaw, Aschley Fish, Max A. Butler, Midnight Marauder, Makiko, Jacob Lindström, Matthew McCarthy, DRW, Scott Saslow, Matt McKee, Dafna Pleban, Robert Ewing, Juan Motoa, Tim Cook, Andrew Elmore, Daniel Mouton, Neven Udovicic, Logan Norris.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Designers 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).

    Thank you to our patrons: Jay Shaw, Aschley Fish, Max A. Butler, Midnight Marauder, Makiko, Jacob Lindström, Matt McKee, Scott Saslow, DRW, Matthew McCarthy, Juan Motoa, Tim Cook, Dafna Pleban, Andrew Elmore, Neven Udovicic, Logan Norris, Daniel Mouton.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • This 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 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

    Yan Jhen-Fa: the Last Film Poster Painter of Taiwan
    Cotta & Los Libros del Mirasol
    Pablo Ferro - A Career Retrospective
    Movie Poster of the Week: “Khrustalyov, My Car!” and the Posters of Andrzej Klimowski
    Gips Associates
    Movie Poster of the Week: The Movie Posters of Stephen Frankfurt

    The Poster Boys give special thanks to Phil and Barbara Gips, and to Dana Gips for her assistance, insights, and generosity.

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Into the Groove by Madonna from Desperately Seeking Susan.

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, Jay Shaw, Juan Motoa, Max A. Butler, Andrew Elmore, Logan Norris, Natalie Slack, Makiko, Midnight Marauder, Jacob Lindström, Matt McKee, Scott Saslow, DRW, Dafna Pleban, Tim Cook, Daniel Mouton, Neven Udovicic.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb.

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • After 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 & LINKS

    Alphaville Design
    Lazy Dog Press - Pittori di cinema
    Silver Ferox Design
    Made in Hell: A Pictoral Voyage Through Italian Horror
    Renato Casaro
    Sandro Simeoni
    Manfredo Acerbo
    Ercole Brini
    Giuliano Nistri
    Anselmo Ballester
    Silvano Campeggi

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; PROFONDO ROSSO theme by Goblin; “Head Over Heels” by Douglas Meakin from AENIGMA.

    Thank you to our patrons: Aschley Fish, Jay Shaw, Juan Motoa, Max A. Butler, Andrew Elmore, Logan Norris, Natalie Slack, Makiko, Midnight Marauder, Jacob Lindström, Matt McKee, Tim Cook, Neven Udovicic, Scott Saslow.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb.

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • The 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 her process and more, designers Brandon Schaefer and Sam Smith also talk about their favorite Akiko designs.

    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

    Akikomatic
    Akiko on Instagram
    Movie Poster of the Week: an Interview with “Funny Games” Poster Designer Akiko Stehrenberger
    Akiko’s Top Ten Favorite Posters

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” opening theme; Mica Levi - “Love” from the UNDER THE SKIN original soundtrack; Steven Hufsteter - “ Love Theme” from the KISS OF THE DAMNED original soundtrack.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb.

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • Coinciding 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 these posters themselves as commemorative gifts, among other rewards and exclusive offerings. To support the Poster Boys and join their family of friends, patrons, and producers, visit patreon.com/theposterboys.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    Saul Bass Archive at film/art gallery.

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; Seven Samurai original score by Fumio Hayasaka.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Produced by Adrian Cobb.

    Support The Poster Boys on Patreon!

  • In 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 NOTES & LINKS

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; “Invincible” by Pat Benetar from THE LEGEND OF BILLY JEAN.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

  • This 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 Ridley
    Trajan: How one typeface took over movie posters
    Mondo to Release JAWS Screenprint based on Roger Kastel’s original missing painting

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; “Bod Boy by Miami Sound Machine; Waves by Debbie Lytton.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Special thanks to producer Adrian Cobb.

  • With 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.

    SHOW NOTES & LINKS

    The Legacy of Interview Magazine
    Robert Indiana - LOVE
    Kickstarter: Unit Editions - Herb Lubalin: American Graphic Designer
    FreelanceWars
    Bill Gold: PosterWorks
    Bill Gold, Iconic Master of the Movie Poster
    Meet Movie Poster Master Bill Gold
    AFI Interview with Bill Gold
    Mike Kaplan - How Stanley Kubrick Kept His Eye on the Budget, Down to the Orange Juice
    Dan Perri - Art of the Title Career Retrospective

    Music selections: “Bass on Titles” theme; “Straight, No Chaser by Thelonious Monk.

    Follow Brandon Schaefer at @seekandspeak, and Sam Smith at @samsmyth.

    Special thanks to producer Adrian Cobb.