Jack in the Box teamed up with horror writers Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton to produce this 7 minute horror short as a Halloween promotion for their Angry Monster Tacos.
This short was a part of a commercial campaign, and produced alongside a series of commercials that acted as both advertisements and trailers for this short at the same time.
Link to the 30 second spot: https://www.mbartondesign.com/narrative#/jack-in-the-box-monster-tacos/
Producers: Jim Rota, John Ramsay
Director: BJ McDonnell
DP: Michael Dallatorre
Starring: Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, Will Forte
Producers: Gus Van Sant, Ron Singer, Scott Reed
Director: Justin Kelly
DP: Christopher Blauveldt
Starring: James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Emma Watson
I Am Michael follows the true story of Michael Glatze, a gay activist in the early 90’s turned Christian pastor, and his personal struggles with identity.
The look and feel of the film was meant to be austere. It was very much a collaborative effort between myself and Director of Photography Christopher Blauveldt. Showing Michael (James Franco) isolated against large spaces was Chris’ vision to visually reinforce the character’s loneliness. Dressing was not to be overdone with muted palettes reminiscent of old institutions.
The period of the film spanned early 1990’s into 2013.
Empty Room dressed as school locaiton
Empty Room Dressed as makeshift office
Angels in Stardust (aka Jesus in Cowboy Boots) revolves around a young girl, Valley Sue, and her desire to escape her seemingly menial existence living with her absentee mother in a trailer park built on the remains of an old drive-in movie theater. A place only ever referred to as “Tardust”. Her escapism lends to the story’s production design as she fantasizes her way through life, allowing for a little stretch of the imagination. “Tardust” in the story is an allegory for purgatory, a place where no one leaves, and nothing changes. Thus an eerie desolation was implied in the design, and many characters represent arch-types of sorts.
The trailer park was entirely created by the art department, every street, every trailer, inside and out, brought in and dressed. Dressing their trailers was a fun challenge as we could draw on each characters special sort of neurosis to inspire the design. At times taking things a little hyper realistic to match an almost fairy tale like quality in the story.
Valley Sue’s only real friend is an imaginary old movie star cowboy who appears to her through the old drive in movie screen as a sort of sage guide. The supports of the massive screen were built, and the screen itself added in post.
Producer: Revolver Pictures
Director: Ben Ketai
DP: Tim Burton
Starring: Jeff Fahey, Kelly Noonan
Production Design for this project involved research into modern and historical coal mines and mining techniques. All subterranean locations in this film were sets constructed on stage. A large, interchangeable modern mine system was built around a central hub complete with a full scale safety chamber set. In addition a large continuous miner machine was carved completely from foam. Period sequences were also filmed with an older 1800’s style mine set, also built and shot on stage.
Topside locations were almost entirely dressed locations.
Producer: Alloy Entertainment
Director: Liz Allen
DP: Jas Shelton
Starring: Shiri Appleby
Dating Rules takes place in Silverlake, Los Angeles. The design for the interior of the house was intended to mimic the architectural style of the craftsman homes common to the area, with much of the modern updates they have undergone. The interior house location was a fully built set on stage, complete with 3 bedrooms, living spaces and kitchen. The front interior facade was designed to match an existing exterior location so it would match exterior shots on location, but the interior was designed from scratch.
Similarly, a mainstay restaurant location in the series “The Spatula”, was also a complete build from the ground up. It was designed with a with a false exterior patio outside the giant window facade, fully dressed with greenery as an outdoor dining space.
A lot of love and detail went into the sets on this show to give the artsy, bohemian flair often associated with the Silverlake district. Director Liz Allen was often an inspirational force as she brought a very clear vision to the project through her approach.
Director: Stuart Acher
DP: John Matysiak
Starring: Joel David Moore, Madeline Zima