Monday, May 31, 2010


The annual European design conference TypoBerlin is possibly the largest, most organized and consistently interesting conferences I have ever been to. Along with type/design legends such as Jonathan Barnbrook, Carlos Segura, Erik Spiekermann, Rich Roat of House Industries and many other talented friends and associates, this years conference also featured the King of Ghana and Erik Kessels of the brilliant advertising firm KesselsKramer whose Hans Brinker Hotel Campaigns prove that truth in advertising can work even if the product is awful.
Avoiding any link between that last sentence and this next one...
I was given the opportunity to screen a working version of the Making Faces film at TypoBerlin on May 22. This was the first time more than a small clip has been shown in public. A 30 minute version of the film was prepared for this presentation with the assistance of Mark Abney of Splice Here. Since each 'chapter' is one step in the process of making the metal type, due to time limitations, a couple steps were not shown at all. Feedback from audience members after the screening was very helpful and additional assistance in translating for subtitles was enlisted. Considering much of the technical terminology used related to typecasting and printing is somewhat specialized and not in common use, additional support material even in English may also be needed.

In general, from what I could gather in spending a few extra days in Berlin, the phenomenon of letterpress revival occurring the North America is not yet at the same level in Europe. European associates have had photopolymer letterpress cards made in the US while in central Berlin one can find a job printer who will set your name and inexpensively print cards using hard to find DDR era typefaces without much fanfare. Schools seem to have little interest in integrating letterpress into design/art curriculum. Finding metal fonts at a Berlin flea market proved to be only moderately inconvenient to bring home in carry on luggage. Erik Spiekermann consistently refers to his love of letterpress printing in most of his talks I have seen in recent years, but he is an exception among high profile designers. Perhaps it was just the small survey that left me with this impression that letterpress is still considered mostly an archaic craft that contemporary European designers do not embrace as much as in North America, but there are signs that it will become more alluring to a new generation of designer/printers.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Trailer on YouTube


This 3 minute trailer was edited in Early 2008 shortly after the footage was shot at Jim Rimmer's studio in New Westminster BC. Now at 11,000 views, there must be some interest in this film. The conspicuous and optimistic "Coming Spring 2009" at the end is obviously wrong. A final release date is still undetermined but in-progress screenings will be announced soon.

Kickstarter



A month or so ago, I decided to try a fundraising source I had heard about. Kickstarter turned out to be a great asset in moving this project along. This method of raising funds allows for 'backers' to pre-order the DVD or just donate towards the project. The modest goal that was set was achieved very quickly. With the additional funds, many details can be attended to in making the project even better and screening it to a wider audience. With some time left on the kickstarter campaign, please encourage anyone interested in this project to donate towards one of the several levels of rewards for helping out. thanks.
RK

Making Faces - Metal Type in the 21st Century

Since there is currently no website dedicated to this film project, this blog will act as a central point for updates and information on the project. This first post is following a screening at typoberlin on May 22, 2010. additional updates will be posted as the film develops and nears completion.