Buster scruggs book8/31/2023 ![]() ![]() I just had to keep telling myself not to make that little box with my hands that you see directors do. Like kids talking about comics, Ethan paced back and forth making comments while I pointed to different techniques in the paintings, and Joel discussed the practicalities of which sketches worked for them. We jumped into talking about images immediately while I spread sketches and paintings out on a coffee table to discuss possibilities. I knew I could work with them for a common goal. I know the thousand-yard stare of a creative at work. They were painting images in the back of their minds, linking thoughts and footage together while being polite as ever. They had that look of paying attention to what you say, but at the same time analyzing how it fits into their vision. They couldn’t have been more gracious, but I recognized a familiarity. So, after a small but significant miscalculation of time on my part, (did I just blow off my first Coen Brothers meeting?) I came to the NEXT meeting with sketches, painting examples, and a signed copy of my novel. ![]() And like you do with good friends you sometimes fail. Just treat them as you would good friends. Composed as chapters of a book, a series of short stories, each chapter started with a full-page painting, like the NC Wyeth illustrated novels.īut how do you go about meeting a couple cinematic legends? I knew from past meetings with powerful creatives the last thing you want to do is try to impress them. It had a touch to it that was undeniably sensitive. Beautifully written, to the degree that I could feel the imagery in the script, see the shots, visualize the characters. ![]() Next thing I know, I’m reading the screenplay. No matter, I’d figure that part out later. “Absolutely.” But I had to ask, “will I get to work with them or for them?” At this stage, he didn’t know. “Hey, would you want to work with the Coen Brothers?”įirst thought: who wouldn’t want to work with the Coen Brothers? My reply was easy and simple. When his call came in, I had to pull the car over. We’ve worked together on close to a dozen dvd covers for the company. I’ve worked a number of years with Eric Skillman, art director at Criterion Collection, who has a keen eye for designing with illustration in mind. Thrilled to have contributed to the picture, I illustrated all the chapters of the book seen in the movie.Īn artist works a long career of failures and successes to get to a level of abilities that allows one to be ready when calls like the following come in. The way the stories are presented, the craft of performances, the light, the color, the camera’s ability to reach from intimate setting to sun-drenched vista, reveal the care and quality of direction to produce this cinematic gem. The Coen Brothers’ latest, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, is possibly one of their most lovingly created achievements. ![]()
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