Custom Cover Art Thread

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by PeterTHX

With that Criterion logo so close to the film logo it almost looks like the movie's title is "CLOOPER"

agreed, changed the color of the criterion logo to offset the movie logo.

[nd.]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

[Show spoiler]I was suggesting to upload it as a .rar to a file sharing website. Still a great cover too! Especially for the current Criterion layout and keeping the spine number from their Laserdisc run. All I'd need to buy are some of the Criterion Blu-ray cases, correct?
Thanks for not responding for tips on what to do to shrink a 12mm spine on a cover to 6mm without losing the fonts or logos.
The comment for ImageShack was negative only because I stopped using it back in 2004 and moved onto other image sharing sites which have better servers.

"It's taking awhile to display. Must be because of ImageShack. I usually use a different site which has better image hosting but I've honestly forgot the name of it."

That was my comment in the PM to you but the last bit about MediaFire I should've mentioned that for my custom covers, I'll just upload them to there, none of the Custom Cover sites. So instead of responding with another PM to me about the comment in the first sentence you make a comment in here. I got burned big time from CustomCovers or whichever that site was which got closed around 2003.
So yes, I'd rather the custom covers and conversions with this forum, AVS, and the one other Blu-ray style forum I used to frequent but forgot the name of.

The first post hasn't been updated for the various templates which DrrnHarr or Nissen, or whomever posted for the various companies. I'll use Search this thread feature.
So, when I finally do make custom covers, should I still post them here or due to the majority of hostility on this page towards me I should take it elsewhere?

I'm also looking for the scan but conversion for the Sony Region A USA cover for 12mm Viva Elite case.
Also SO very sorry for actually using my real name on a forum.

EDIT: Anyone have any suggestion for modifying some of the earlier releases from companies in 2006-2008 during the HD format wars so they don't have anymore of those banners on the front cover? Just an easy replacement or what have people done?

er... was that an apology?

[madridista8700]

After problems with Photoshop, I managed to "finish" these Lord of the Rings covers. Unfortunately, I can't edit them in any way because the original file was corrupted.

As always, if you want them, please pm me.

[DrrnHarr]

Finally got around to teaching myself how to use the Photoshop Paths tools to make text wrap around an object. Its so much easier in InDesign and Illustrator.

The original art used for the back cover used the same tank art as the front cover which made people over at EFX comment that I needed to find different art. I did in a sense. I found a different tank graphic with an "explosion cloud" around it and placed it over the top. Then I had to work it to make it as seemless as possible, including a common background. It was quite an effort (a good two hours) but I think it works.

Originally Posted by Nissen

Wow, D. You're on a roll with the WWII covers!

I'm not familiar with the original poster, but to me the "42 Int'l stars" effs up the design. It caps in the sky and makes that empty space look awkward. Like something's missing, you know?

If you take out that tagline I think the empty blue sky will look more balanced, compositionwise. The blue will be the dominant design element and not the text.

I'm also very glad to see you're loosening up the design for your backs in the later covers. You were going into a rut there for a while. I can't believe the progress you've made since that Flash Gordon cover two years ago :-)

Thanks Nissen...

Believe it or not but that text at the top of the cover actually comes from the original poster. I agree that it looks awkward but I kept it in there to be faithful to the original art.

I found that old "Flash Gordon" custom the other day you mentioned as I was reorganizing my customs and was taken aback at just how horribly amateurish it comes across now. I was just learning Photoshop then and didn't have a clue what I was doing - I'm still learnng.

I got tired of working from the same strict template all the time and wanted more freedom to experiement with different back designs.

[WhySoCereal]

Originally Posted by madridista8700

After problems with Photoshop, I managed to "finish" these Lord of the Rings covers. Unfortunately, I can't edit them in any way because the original file was corrupted.

As always, if you want them, please pm me.

Looks great, and very different. I would definitely use these if I didn't own them as steel-books

[DrrnHarr]

The current state of my WWII collection:



After "Kelly's Heroes" I think I might tackle "The Dirty Dozen"

[DrrnHarr]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Man, that rainbow effect on the Kelly's Heroes poster is really...inappropriate?

The collection looks nice; ever thought about adding a single little spine element that ties them all together as part of a WWII series? D-day stripes or something?

Yes. I had been thinking about that, so they are easily identifiable as such on the shelf, but I haven't been able to decide what that element should be and since people have started uploading them on EFX I feel I owe it to them not to add that.

The rainbow effect comes from the 1970 poster and I think they get away with it because of the hippie chracter Donald Sutherland plays and the fact that it is at its heart an anti-war movie.

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by DrrnHarr

The current state of my WWII collection:



After "Kelly's Heroes" I think I might tackle "The Dirty Dozen"

Wait, what about Where Eagles Dare since you already have Kelly's Heroes finished? Only because of that two-pack. Makes me wish both The Desert Fox and The Desert Rats were on Blu-ray since you'd make awesome cover art for those. Same for The Bridge at Remagen, The Train (the poster is PERFECT for your custom covers!), Stalag 17, The Hill, Hell in the Pacific, and The Big Red One, just to name a few.
For The Dirty Dozen, since it has the sequel, are you also gonna put a very small poster of it next to the detail of it on the back cover?

Originally Posted by dv8pdx

Just playing around with Looper in a Criterion layout to see where it goes. Based on the UK steelbook cover

That actually looks f***ing awesome! Yes, I actually like this!
Oh, it's R rated but has all that random crap with telling it why it is. Sure about the numbering? I dunno but for some reason I'd have AAA, then AAB, AAC, etc. for titles which aren't with Criterion. You could even make a ton of these! But for titles which have tons of extras and could also be part of their line.
Have any other Criterions? Is it the right template for the Criterion cases though? Or if Imandix doesn't have the Criterion case view but I haven't used that program in a very long time.

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

That actually looks f***ing awesome! Yes, I actually like this!
Oh, it's R rated but has all that random crap with telling it why it is. Sure about the numbering? I dunno but for some reason I'd have AAA, then AAB, AAC, etc. for titles which aren't with Criterion. You could even make a ton of these! But for titles which have tons of extras and could also be part of their line.
Have any other Criterions? Is it the right template for the Criterion cases though? Or if Imandix doesn't have the Criterion case view but I haven't used that program in a very long time.

Thanks, but Im just playing around with it. Since I made it a Criterion Special Edition I went with the unrated. Imandix doesn't have a Criterion case so I just made a Blu case as clear as possible for viewing. Number is just random since it really doesn't exist. Just having fun. I think other people are more accurate with their faux Criterion covers.

[madridista8700]

Working on this set right now.

[Roge_NES]

Working on an Iron Man 2 cover, I really don't like the original one.

[kong73]

Originally Posted by madridista8700

working on this set right now.

i want gremlins!

[DrrnHarr]

Originally Posted by Ray_Rogers

Wait, what about Where Eagles Dare since you already have Kelly's Heroes finished? Only because of that two-pack. Makes me wish both The Desert Fox and The Desert Rats were on Blu-ray since you'd make awesome cover art for those. Same for The Bridge at Remagen, The Train (the poster is PERFECT for your custom covers!), Stalag 17, The Hill, Hell in the Pacific, and The Big Red One, just to name a few.
For The Dirty Dozen, since it has the sequel, are you also gonna put a very small poster of it next to the detail of it on the back cover?

"Kelly's Heroes" is still a WIP.

I haven't quite decided what I am going to do with "The Dirty Dozen" yet. I know the primary special feature is the first TV Movie sequel (the best of the sequels if you ask me since it featured Lee Marvin) so I will take that into account when I do the title.

I have already done a non-collection "Where Eagles Dare" and I do plan to do a collection version. As you will note from the spines I did a collection version of a previous custom for "Force 10 From Navarone" (with a significantly reworked back cover). That is still a WIP (in the Design Help section of EFX) since I need someone to check the back cover for issues (people who know a significant challenge I face in cover design will understand).

Other movies I plan to rework:

• The Eagle Has Landed (the British BD is region free)
• Battle of Britain
• A Bridge Too Far
• The Great Escape

And all-new custom for:

• Escape to Athena (the British BD is region free)

I'd love to see a region free "The Dam Busters" on BD because I would do that one (a personal favorite) in a heartbeat.

EDIT: A big thanks goes out to ctaulbee for help with "Kelly's Heroes" and "Force 10":

[alphadec]

Originally Posted by madridista8700

Working on this set right now.

You should change the color of the title "gremlins" to something else then green! and purple.

http://www.impawards.com/1984/gremlins_ver1.html

[rybev]

Originally Posted by alphadec

You should change the color of the title "gremlins" to something else then green! and purple.

http://www.impawards.com/1984/gremlins_ver1.html

I kinda like the green and purple. But I'm not keen on the image for 2 - I get that you want them to look similar but both images are for Gremlins not Gremlins 2.

Nissen did me a custom using the original artwork - I've never liked any official DVD or blu-ray artwork for Gremlins.

[adsdsdsd]

The Hardest thing about making Blu-ray Covers is finding something do and making sure it hasnt been done before.

[dv8pdx]

Originally Posted by adsdsdsd

The Hardest thing about making Blu-ray Covers is finding something do and making sure it hasnt been done before.

not true. Its finding something you really want to make and putting your style on it.
Look at all the Indiana Jones, Back To The Futures, James Bond, Star Wars just for example. All done by a bunch of people yet each one is unique and different and reflects their creative imaginiations.

I always say, no two covers are alike... dive in and pick one that suits your fancy and enjoy!

[The Edge]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Yep. Doing covers is a hobby for me, so I only really do it for movies I like. When I get sucked into doing it for other movies I stop wanting to do it.

If you do it for movies you haven't seen before, would you have to have seen it first before attempting a custom cover for it?

[The Edge]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

I don't do it for movies I haven't seen. Did you not see my post?

Perhaps you misunderstood what I meant. Let me rephrase it:

Say someone comes to you and asks, "Would you please do a custom cover for '__________________'. You haven't seen that film before. Would you then go see the film (research) before deciding whether you liked it enough to attempt one? Or, would you have to be a big fan of it beforehand prior to attempting the job?

Can there be an area in between, or do you deal in absolutes?

[DrrnHarr]

Originally Posted by Imrahil2001

Yep. Doing covers is a hobby for me, so I only really do it for movies I like. When I get sucked into doing it for other movies I stop wanting to do it.

I'm with Imrahil on this...I often get PMs from people wanting me to do this custom or that custom...I always direct them to contact Nissen since I don't do commissions.

Part of the reason it has taken me so long to do "Kelly's Heroes" is that I really am not a fan of the movie. I'm doing it because it is WWII and it came as a double pack with "Where Eagles Dare" (which I love)