So You Think You Can Design a Better Modern Times Cover?

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#1 Post by **Matt** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:38 pm

A couple of people have recently expressed mild reservations about the cover art for Criterion's forthcoming DVD and Blu-ray release of Charles Chaplin's Modern Times. Here's your opportunity to see if you can create a fan cover that those people like better. Post them here, and we'll rip them apart or praise them as appropriate.

You should be able to find hundreds of images to use online, and those with the previous DVD release can get screen captures. If you need a Criterion template, here's a .psd and here's a .jpg. Have fun!

Memo to Sam Smith: This is all in good fun. Everybody loves your House poster and cover. Just not the Modern Times cover. But you see, we've been bagging on Criterion's DVD covers for years. It's not because we're petty and have nothing else to do. It's just that when Criterion does everything as well as they usually do, there's little to complain about except for the covers. Okay, and color balance and aspect ratio and windowboxing and regrettable commentaries and... well, anyway. But now we'll put our money where our mouths are. We're all still going to buy Modern Times even if we've already bought it twice before and you're still going to get paid and get more work from Criterion, so it's all good.

Cinephrenic · #2 Post by **Cinephrenic** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:21 pm

Image coming soon...

#3 Post by **domino harvey** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:28 pm

This thread just can't end well

#4 Post by **swo17** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:31 pm

Cinephrenic wrote:

Put the sprocket C in the upper left corner and then have a Beaton Chaplin* tinkering with it with a wrench. He's standing on the title.

*Though what the world really needs is a Beaton Keaton.

Steven H · #5 Post by **Steven H** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:47 pm

TheGodfather · #6 Post by **TheGodfather** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:48 pm

Yep, that`s the one. They have to release that. With the blu sticker not being a sticker but actually printed onto the cover

Murdoch · #7 Post by **Murdoch** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:06 pm

Suddenly the actual cover isn't looking all that bad - even though it's still awful.

#8 Post by **domino harvey** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:06 pm

Cinephrenic · #9 Post by **Cinephrenic** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 9:48 pm

What is the font they used for the title here guys?

knives · #10 Post by **knives** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:03 pm

Nice one Domino, legitimately more interesting than the official one. Where did you find the art?

Cinephrenic · #11 Post by **Cinephrenic** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:09 pm

Nice cover, but the font is too modern. Helvetica?

Steven H · #12 Post by **Steven H** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:11 pm

I like that cover too. Here's the poster.

Arrow · #13 Post by **Arrow** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:14 pm

This is a good idea, I hope the thread stays open for a few days, as I can't create a good one in a couple hours. I loved the theatrical release illustration poster that was on the site a while back, I think I'll try and draw a design from scratch.

#14 Post by **domino harvey** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:22 pm

#15 Post by **cdnchris** » Fri Aug 20, 2010 11:41 pm

I'm still obviously in the minority of being fine with their current cover, but I do have to admit it's odd that that image wasn't used as the basis.

zitherstrings · #16 Post by **zitherstrings** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:15 am

To be fair this took me 12 minutes and it appears Smith only have 5-8 to do his.

foofighters7 · #17 Post by **foofighters7** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:55 am

something like that with a little chaplin in the corner with a wrench on the C. a light grey background perhaps.

godardslave · #18 Post by **godardslave** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:56 am

foofighters7 · #19 Post by **foofighters7** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:02 am

kinda like a swimminghorses-gone-lazy. I like it.

Highway 61 · #20 Post by **Highway 61** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 1:54 am

I really like your first cover Domino, but I wonder if the darker blue seen in the poster would be more powerful.

Alphonse Doinel · #21 Post by **Alphonse Doinel** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:26 am

I actually don't hate Sam's cover that much, but thought this would be fun so what the hell...

godardslave · #22 Post by **godardslave** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:18 am

Alphonse Doinel wrote:

I like this one.
This is officially 27 times better than Criterion's cover.

dad1153 · #23 Post by **dad1153** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:33 am

Alphonse Doinel wrote:

IT'S A WINNAH!

movielocke · #24 Post by **movielocke** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:49 am

everything in this thread is crap so far. The real cover is much better.

#25 Post by **mfunk9786** » Sat Aug 21, 2010 4:53 am

False.

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