You’re familiar with the work of Stephen Romano by now, no? If you say “no”, it ain’t our fault because we’ve been giving this multi-talented artist more love in the last few months than most of our significant others got all year. For once, said love has paid off for both us and you, the reader.
I shall explain...
Starting today, Monday, May 5th 2008, we’re kicking off an ongoing contest exclusively to Dread Central readers. As you know, Romano’s upcoming book of amazing poster art for films that never existed, Shock Festival, is due to hit stands this October (pre-order it, suckas). Within the next two months, Romano has to finish all the artwork for the book, and he wants you guys to help him out!
Here’s what you need to do: in FORTY WORDS OR LESS e-mail us a title or a description for any sort of non-existent exploitation film. If you’ve seen Romano’s work, you know that absolutely nothing is taboo, but he does want to make it clear that he will not choose something that sounds intentionally ridiculous. Anything more than forty words will result in immediate disqualification, so be wise!
So what do you get for such a simple task? Once a week Romano will choose his favorite title or description and actually make a poster for it! If you win, Romano may also immortalize your face in the film’s poster, much the way he did for Uncle Creepy on the Axe Killer From Outer Space poster. Winners' names and their poster art will also be featured in Shock Festival, which IDW is releasing on October 25th, and the best of the chosen will win themselves a copy of the book, courtesy of IDW!
Seriously, how fucking cool is that? I love it myself! Who knows, maybe seeing your movie title and/or face on a poster will finally inspire you to actually make one of these crazy films! If you’re a filmmaker who's already on his or her way to that goal, fear not; Romano does poster/lobby card work on commission, too, so your movie can look a helluva more badass than its budget allows it to be!
Check out some more examples of Romano's amazing work below! Now get racking that brain for cool ideas and GOOD LUCK!
Winner Week 1: Ryan Degenstein
Winner Week 2: David Schmidt
Winner Week 3: Paul Smithee
Winner Week 4: George Hongo
Runner-up 1: Hunter Lurie
Runner-up 2: Steve Leech
Submitted by Johnny Butane on Mon, 05/05/2008 - 11:56pm.
This weeks winner has been picked and the poster is ready. It's BAD ASS! Check back on Monday!
Submitted by Uncle Creepy on Sat, 05/10/2008 - 1:05am.
Hey guys!
I couldn't agree more Romano is awesome...no doubt.
And to Blockbuster, and your comment about these movies not being real...actually, I know for a fact that Beyond the Dunwich Horror *is* real--I'm in it.
I love Romano's work. We were very lucky to score him as our illustrator.
Later guys.
Submitted by Python_Diamond on Fri, 05/09/2008 - 1:28pm.
Oblivion Road will be real sooner or later. I'm in the process of hiring additional artists to do more work on the project first.
Submitted by oblrdentertainment on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 2:29am.
You know...it makes me really sad that these movies AREN'T real. Sigh.
Submitted by Blockbuster on Thu, 05/08/2008 - 12:01am.
Then it is on, Dagon!
Submitted by Chainsaw on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 1:39pm.
Nope!
Submitted by Johnny Butane on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 11:55am.
BTW, is there a limit to how many entries you can send in? Because I almost have an entire subsection of my brain just chock full of Ex titles.
Submitted by Chainsaw on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 11:46am.
This may be the greatest thing this site has ever done.
Submitted by Chainsaw on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 11:43am.
That is awesomesauce, Creepy.
Submitted by Blockbuster on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 1:09am.
Yes, that's me! LOL
Submitted by Uncle Creepy on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 12:40am.
And another thing...is that Creepy on the 3rd image down on the "That Fuckin' Cat" lobby card?
Submitted by Blockbuster on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 12:38am.
Did anyone else notice that the poster for Strange Ghosts had a G rating? Heh...
Submitted by Blockbuster on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 12:37am.