Directed by Eirk P. Sharkey; Produced by Charles Ricciardi, Greg Boas; Written by Eirk P. Sharkey, Charles Ricciardi, Greg Boas, Jeff Yorkes
You may not be readily aware of it, but it is very likely that Drew Struzan is an artist whose work you are intimately familiar with, as his portfolio contains some of the most iconic album and movie poster paintings of all time. Drew: The Man Behind The Poster is a story told by some of the most respected artists, actors, and filmmakers, about this unknown’s journey and craft, in creating some of the most well-known works throughout the world.
Overcoming the odds of his unsupported family and impoverished beginnings, Drew meets his future wife early on and dedicates himself to both his passion for art and his love for his wife and newborn son. After starving and scratching his way through art school, Drew began his career with Pacific Eye and Ear studios. After amassing an amazing collection of commercial art, including several memorable album covers, such as Black Sabbath’s Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath and Alice Cooper’s Welcome To My Nightmare, Drew’s talent was spotted by Tony Seiniger, who pursued him to create movie posters. As one movie campaign followed another, a new chapter of Drew’s life had begun. And the effectiveness of those posters did not go unnoticed by some of the biggest names in Hollywood; George Lucas, Harrison Ford, Steven Spielberg, Michael J. Fox, Jim Henson, and later Frank Darabont and Guillermo del Toro-just to name a few.
Drew’s work became known world-wide, and his style in great demand. As there always are, there were pitfalls along the way; a thieving business manager, the trending toward computer art and structural changes within studios themselves have all contributed to pushing traditional artists, like Drew, out of the business. Despite these obstacles, the artist continues to create in hope of finding meaning and personal fulfillment in a life and career, like any other, filled with peaks and valleys. And through this tale, the audience can discover why this artist may in fact be one of the most recognizable and influential of our time.
1 hour 31 minutes
