Austin Improv

Roy Janik wrote:

Here's mach 2. I tried to black out the hat area entirely, but it made the border too blocky.

I kinda liked the hat though.

Very nice! I actually like that you left the hat but toned it down some. I think this version of the flyer is much more readable. How do you feel about it?

Roy Janik wrote:

Here's mach 2. I tried to black out the hat area entirely, but it made the border too blocky.

I kinda liked the hat though.

That's awesome, much better.

just for andy c...an updated version of the laughs for lives logo. I know this is for flyers, but I am not that far along with it.

Thoughts?

uno mas por favor...I have no life

I think the font works and the placement but the contrast on the name Junk is too light. It does not stand out enough against the background.

Also, I have to say that I am confused by the campaign and what it is saying. It would be one thing if you showed the face of someone who looks high but it turns out that they are high on improv.

But you are showing a hyperdermic needle and implying a body collapsed next to it. It doesn't strike me as funny. I am not a prude or anything. I love dark humor. But it is taking a very dark image and running the funny parallel to it and that doesn't work the same way to me. To others it might be downright offensive.

yeah umm.. too dark for me too.

but i AM a prude.

good feedback. I have another image I think I will try. It is just a syringe w/ a white background. I am trying to imply that the syringe is full of Junk (improv) and that once you try it you will be addicted...or become a junkie. I imagined this as part of a series of very different looking images that have the same message of Become A Junkie. One would be the cartoon guy with the needle in his arm, one of a real photo like this one, and one from through the eyes of someone high on Junk (perhaps blurred images of people having a good time somehow). I think in that context, this image is less dark, but not enough so.

The whole idea is to create curiosity about what Junk is and then drive traffic to our myspace page. Just one approach or style isn't going to reach everyone, so I am trying to create several images that reach specific audiences and therefore more people directly. I think people have a dread fascination with things that make them uncomfortable. Thus...the reason why people stare at the carnage of war or a car accident. They are sucked in by it. This image is obviously targeting that group. Now the question is will that same image turn others away. My goal is to find just the right combination that will draw some in without driving others away. I think it is possible, but I might be crazy.

Ted,

I think the drug-user atmosphere of improv is spot on. It's a community that is cult-like, and once you're hooked, it's hard to give it up. I am always looking forward to my next improv fix, and when its over, the happy feeling is gone, its hard to remember what made you laugh, and its hard to describe it to others.

Don't know if any of that helps SELL improv theater, though.

If you still want to go with it, you might try showing someone shooting up with a siringe that CLEARLY reads "improv" or "comedy" or has a picture of your "junk" logo on it. You should also show the "junk" user smiling estatically, or laughing hysterically. Or show an entire audience doing the same.

Also, use bright, saturated colors: pinky purples, reds, yellows, oranges -- those are colors that communicate "good times".

Don't try to be subtle. I don't think that will work bc the concept is kind of abstract. BE OBVIOUS!!

Here are some notes I had typed up for some others that might be of some help to you, too:
http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=3170

BEFORE

AFTER

I heart Sara Farr...she did this w/o even being asked. She is just that awesome (as if you didn't already know). She actually made 3 variations of this. I just posted one.

All hail Sara!!!

Nice!

Courtesy of Madeline.

I actually cannot see the images that Sara posted and I really wish I could.

Not an improv flyer, but I thought I'd share my wife's handiwork with y'all.

Nice work.




Hmmm....