Epilogue – Painted Movie Poster Art Series – Feature #5: “Vertigo” 60th Anniversary

Series Overview:
– Epilogue Art Series is a mixed-media series by artist Damon Kardon honouring classic horror/sci-fi films and the creative promotional art that was presented to the public at the time of their premiere dates. All films represented in this art series celebrate a milestone anniversary of the films’ release and the impact they have made on pop culture history.

Kardon has chosen specific films that influenced him over the years through their distinct tone, cinematography and direction. He is expressing his emotions felt from viewing each film through his art process, painting key images and colors that also represent the story of each film. Each poster design starts as a painting and then is manipulated in Photoshop.

As a kid who loved going to the movies (and also enjoyed the classic painted poster designs of Drew Struzan ), Damon has dreamed of bringing his art style into the world of interpretive movie posters. The term “Epilogue”, in film, represents the final scenes in which a recap or narrative of what happens to the characters is given. It can be represented in a montage, which is how Damon interprets these works he is creating.

Sneak Preview :
– Be sure to enhance your viewing/reading experience by watching the original movie trailer for Vertigo, released on May 9th, 1958 via Paramount Pictures.

About the Painting:
– Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece Vertigo is celebrating its 60th anniversary and was released on May 9th, 1958 by Paramount Pictures. It is my favorite Hitchcock film and possibly the best thriller ever made. A large part of its success and legacy as such a great film is due to the inspired performances by Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak. It is also wonderfully scored by Bernard Herrmann and features some of the most inventive cinematography by Robert Burks in this noir/thriller genre.

What is especially interesting is the use of the dolly zoom, or “Vertigo Effect” in the film where the camera is moving away from the actor while also zooming in. I’ve seen this done in many films and music videos since, but it was popularized in this film and really added that surrealism and eerie-ness to the overall feeling of this movie. I tried to capture that uneasiness and vertigo feeling in my painted poster with this sort of maze-staircase design and the look of shock on Jimmy’s face. I really enjoyed painting this one and I suggest anyone who hasn’t see Vertigo to definitely take some time to see it. If you can, try to view it in its restoration 70mm print in a big movie theater. – Damon Kardon

Feature #5: “Vertigo”:
– Check out Damon’s creative process by scrolling through the photos below.

“Vertigo” – Original Poster Art from 1958:

The Series & Future Artwork:

– Coming up in Feature #6… “Return of the Jedi”
– Feature #4… “The Dark Knight” 10th Anniversary
– Feature #3… “2001: A Space Odyssey” 50th Anniversary
– Feature #2… “Rosemary’s Baby” 50th Anniversary
– Feature #1… “Christine” 35th Anniversary