Inside Getting Caught with Graphic Designer, Shala Abbasi!

There is no greater joy for an independent filmmaker than to complete the task of shooting his or her film. From writing the script to the first day of casting to scouting locations, working within the crew & actor’s schedule and making sure the shoots go smoothly according to plan. Of course, in an ideal world, things going “smoothly” would be the case; however, we don’t live in an ideal world! Nonetheless, the filming is complete and is in post-production. However, the hard work has really just begun. There is now the daunting task of creating an image, a look for the film, creating its identity to be sold ultimately to the public. Graphic designers are the heartbeat of everything we see in our world. Using art and text to create an image and transmit a message. It is psychological power. We live with fruits of graphic design everyday, it is inescapable. Solely embedded in our subconscious, it is exhibited in the way we react to good and services. Since the inception of the film medium, the role of graphic designers in that industry has been an important one. Iconic graphic designers in film such as: Saul Bass who worked with legendary filmmakers as Hitchcock, Preminger & Scorsese, Karen Fong, and Bill Gold all have influenced scores of designers and filmmakers. Christopher B., Production Manager on Getting Caught chats with graphic designer, Shala Abbasi who designed the movie poster for the film. She briefly summarizes what it’s like in the world of graphic arts, her beginnings, training and her work on Getting Caught.
Christopher B: When did you realize that you wanted to become a Graphic Artist?
Shala Abbasi: I decided to pursue graphic design about 4 years ago.
CB: Do you work in any other art medium? Painting? Drawing? Sculpture? etc.
SA: I'm really interested in learning all mediums. Since I had to take foundation art classes, I experimented with various mediums such as paint and glass. I really enjoy painting as a hobby but wouldn't consider myself a fine artist.
CB: Was the process of learning your craft come natural to you or difficult?
SA: I never took art classes prior to college, so I was a bit behind others. It definitely did not come easy to me. I'm constantly working hard to improve my skills.
CB: Did you attend a “Graphic Arts” specific school, college etc.? How was that experience?
SA: I attended Tyler School of Art which has an amazing Graphic Design department. It was the most challenging thing I had ever done. I'm so grateful for the experience because I learned so much and it challenged the way I looked at things.
CB: What are some of the things that you’ve done that you‘re most proud of?
SA: I had various projects in school, but I really enjoyed an invitation I designed for a fictional event. It was one of the first times that I used pop up elements which gave it another dimension.
CB: What is it about what you do that you love the most?
SA: I really love making images and solving problems.
CB: How did you get involved with “Getting Caught”?SA: I was asked by my close friend Jerry to design a poster for his movie.
CB: What graphic ideas came to mind when you read the script for “Getting Caught”?
SA: There were a lot of things that I was thinking about as I read the script. I asked myself a series of questions like what does it mean to "get caught," and how do I depict it without being too literal. I thought about what was important in the whole story. I thought deception was a good angle to focus on. I liked the idea of being blinded before you "get caught." I also thought about spider webs, but I had my breakthrough when I asked Jerry what he wanted to depict in the poster.
CB: How is working on art for films different from other media forms or the same?
SA: Whether it is film or any other industry, I think the process is the same when I'm designing. I think about what the most important message is and how best to convey it.
CB: What it is the most frustrating aspect of working with clients?
SA: Sometimes clients think that they are designers and you have to convince them that their choices aren't "good" design.
CB: What are you working on now?
SA: I'm working on invitation designs and expanding the way I make imagery.
CB: What advice do you have for the novice Graphic Artist?
SA: It's a highly competitive field, so make sure you love it. Learn key shortcuts to work quicker. Practice and challenge yourself daily.