Just Do It. Arguably the most iconic tagline of the late 20th century.
Did you know Dan Wieden crafted this masterpiece for Nike shortly after hearing a captured serial killer say “Let’s do it.” to a firing squad?
Migrate south from Portland to San Fran, and advertising legend Hal Riney tells a more personal story. He opens up about his father being hauled off to prison, which later steered Riney into advertising as an outlet for self-expression.
On a surface level, that’s not exactly a stirring story. Then again, consider Riney masterminded the commercial for Ronald Reagan that all but locked him in for a second presidential term.
Such stories may be a far cry from the days of Mad Men, yet have been vital factors in molding modern American culture. And such stories loom large in Art & Copy, a new film produced by The One Club and premiers August 21 at Denver’s very own Starz! Film Festival.
Directed by documentary filmmaker Doug Pray (Scratch, Surfwise), this hypnotic visual treat glides us through historic campaigns and the advertising luminaries who conjured such powerful ideas. The film captures the energy and passion of Lee Clow (Apple), George Lois (MTV and Tommy Hilfiger), and Phyllis Robinson (Clairol). Rare interviews from Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein, Cliff Freeman, Jim Durfee, Mary Wells and Dan Kennedy also splash onto the silver screen.
We get a unique peek under the tent of the creative process and show how products jumped off the shelf to become lifestyle icons the world loves and embraces. And in a world polluted with junkyards of bad advertising, it’s important to observe and celebrate the power of good advertising.
Art & Copy captures that.
We invite you to come see Art & Copy, with wine and food served following the showing. This mesmerizing film will be introduced by Rob Reilly from Crispin, Porter + Bogusky. Rob is a partner and co-executive creative director, who served as global creative director on Burger King (yes, he’s responsible for the creepy King). Today, he and his partner oversee digital and brand communication for powerhouse clients at CP+B such as Volkswagen, Microsoft and Coca-Cola.
Art & Copy
• Sponsored by Art Director’s Club of Denver and Denver Film Society.
• Premiers Denver, August 21 at 7:30 p.m.
• Starz! Film Center at the Tivoli (9th and Auraria, Denver)
• Appetizers and wine, following the show
• Tickets available at denverfilm.org (click on August 21)
• General admission: $9.50. Seniors and students: $7. Denver Film Society members: $6.
