Sunday 15 March 2015

Exodus exhibition

The Art of 'Exodus: Gods & Kings' at LACDA, downtown los Angeles, March 2015. A small exhibition of digital prints and making of' featurettes looping on monitors, ostensibly promoting the imminent blu-ray release.











Sunday 8 March 2015

March 2015

'The Babadook' (2014)
Dir: Jennifer Kent

'Black Sea' (2014)
Dir: Kevin Macdonal

'The Look of Love' (2013)
Dir: Michael Winterbottom

'Sorcerer' (1977)
Dir: William Friedkin

'A Story of Children and Film' (2013)
Dir: Mark Cousins

'Welcome to New York' (2014)
Dir: Abel Ferrara

'Finding Vivian Maier' (2013)
Dir: John Maloof & Charlie Siskel

'Belle' (2014)
Dir: Amma Asante

'Alien' (1979)
Dir: Ridley Scott

'Alien' material sold at auction




'Director Ridley Scott’s personal script from Alien with notations, edits and numerous hand-drawn “Ridleygrams”. (TCF, 1979) This is Academy Award-winning director Ridley Scott’s 8.5 x 11 in. 127+ multi-color page, personal copy of the script for his breakthrough Sci-Fi/Horror film Alien. Bound in a 10.5 x 12 x 2.5 in. blue, 2-ring binder with 6.5 x 2.75 in. “ALIEN” title card affixed to the cover and 7 x 1.25 in. winged emblem sticker below it. The interior title page is printed with, “ALIEN / Revised Final Draft by Walter Hill and David Giler / Based on a screenplay by Dan O’Bannon / Story by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett / June 1978” and production company address. The 2nd page features the printed inspirational quotes, “Science fiction plucks from within us our deepest fears and hopes then shows them to us in rough disguise: the monster and the rocket. W. H. Auden” and, “We live, as we dream --- alone. Joseph Conrad”. A majority of script pages exhibit detailed production notes, script edits, strikethrough lines and passages – even a coffee cup ring stain from presumably long hours spent poring over scenes. In addition, 30 pages feature a number of remarkable sketches by Ridley Scott, himself. Educated at the Royal College of Art in England, the director is an accomplished visual artist. His spontaneous and visionary sketches and diagrams have become known as “Ridleygrams”. These Ridleygrams depict some memorable images and scenes from the resulting film, including: a sequence showing details of astronauts waking up from suspended animation, brilliant starscapes, interior Nostromo images, the discovery of the derelict alien ship on planet “LV-426”, a rudimentary sketch of the iconic “Space Jockey” and even the memorable drinking bird that was realized as an insert shot in the ultimate film. Includes 23 pages of shooting schedule dated, “28.6.78”. Last 2 pages of this schedule also include Ridleygrams of a spaceship on the verso. The binder remains in good condition and the content is in production-used very good condition. Comes with an LOA from 1st assistant editor, Leslie Healey, who rescued this script from the cutting room floor after Scott discarded it at the end of production. A profound, one-of-a kind piece of the Alien legacy, originating from one of the greatest cinematic minds of the past 30 years. '

-Profiles In History Auction Dec. 2013 (The item sold for $90k)


















'Original Ron Cobb concept art of the “Narcissus” shuttle on the planetoid surface for Alien(TCF, 1979) Original concept art depicting the Narcissus, a satellite shuttle of the mothership Nostromo, for the sci-fi/horror classic Alien. Accomplished in pencil and acrylic paint on 30 x 18.25 in. artist illustration board. Illustration shows three astronauts standing outside the shuttle amid a barren extraterrestrial landscape. Features the handwritten notations “Alien”, “Black Ship and Cylinder” along lower border. Signed by artist, “R. Cobb” in lower right of image. Tape remnants and a sticker in the upper left corner of verso with typed inscription “26. Ron Cobb: Black Ship & Cylinder”.' --Profiles In History Auction Dec. 2013






'Original concept art of the “Narcissus” shuttle from Alien. (TCF, 1979) Original concept art depicting the “Narcissus”, a satellite ship of the mothership “Nostromo”, for the sci-fi/horror classic Alien. Accomplished in ink, pencil and gouache on 16.5 x 23 in. artist vellum leaf. Illustration depicts the ship fleeing an explosion. Lower border features, handwritten: “Alien”, The Narcissus” and artist’s signature “R. Cobb” in the lower right corner of image. Handwritten “#697 Colour Neg.” and “A918 Blk + Wht” in pencil and ink on verso. With minor curling, pin holes from production display and exhibiting tape remnants on verso.' --Profiles In History Auction Dec. 2013


Original Ron Cobb concept art of “Nostromo” bridge interior for Alien(TCF, 1979) Original concept art by Ron Cobb depicting the bridge of the spaceship Nostromo from the Sci-fi/horror classic Alien. Accomplished in ink, pencil and gouache on 19 x 24 in. artist leaf. The border of the piece exhibits light scuffing and wear, with pinholes in each corner from production display. A sticker in upper left corner of the verso reads, “27. Ron Cobb: Leviathan Bridge” [Leviathan was the early production name of the ship] with further handwritten notation, “h/11001 826” -Profiles In History Auction Dec. 2013





'Vintage original “Crewman” sketch by Moebius for Alien(TCF, 1979) In Ridley Scott’s incredible Alien universe, supporting graphic artists were majorly responsible for bringing Scott’s futuristic vision to life. Aside from H.R. Giger’s incredible impact with his biomechanical monster and set pieces, Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (a.k.a. Moebius) was also an early influence on the style of the production with his wildly creative illustrations, grounded in gritty reality. Here is an original, hand-drawn color sketch by Moebius. Accomplished in pencil, pen and artist marker on 8.5 x 11.75 in. heavy paper leaf. The sketch depicts three figures (front, back and side) of a crewman in deck uniform. ' --Profiles In History Auction Dec. 2013



'Vintage original spacesuit sketches by Moebius for Alien(TCF, 1979) In Ridley Scott’s incredible Alien universe, supporting graphic artists were majorly responsible for bringing Scott’s futuristic vision to life. Aside from H.R. Giger’s incredible impact with his biomechanical monster and set pieces, Jean Henri Gaston Giraud (a.k.a. Moebius) was also an early influence on the style of the production with his wildly creative illustrations, grounded in gritty reality. Here are (2) Original, hand-drawn color sketches by Moebius. Both accomplished in pencil, pen and artist marker on 8.5 x 11.75 in. heavy paper leaves. Both sketches depict figures in spacesuits. One is signed “M” at the lower right.' -Profiles In History Auction Dec. 2013


Original Chris Foss concept sketch of the Derelict Ship interior for Alien(TCF, 1979) Original concept art by Chris Foss for the sci-fi/horror classic Alien. Image depicts a member of the Nostromo landing party descending into a vast and ornate sepulcher. The sketch shows Foss’ celebrated skill while markedly devoid of the later influence of H.R. Giger. Accomplished in pencil, ink and gouache on 29 x 18 in. artist leaf. Handwritten notations “Centre of the Tombe”, “Alien” and “Chris Foss F 77” at the lower border. Verso features a sticker in the upper left reading “Chris Foss – 7. Centre of the Tombe”.