Acclaimed Graphic Artist Michael Schwab Creating Collectible Trading Cards Commemorating the 2010 Edition of TCM’s SUMMER UNDER THE STARS
Exclusive Cards to be Showcased Online at http://tcm.com/summer
During August Festival that Features a Different Cinema Legend Each Day
Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM) has commissioned Michael Schwab, one of America’s most recognized graphic artists, to create a series of limited-edition collectible trading cards designed to commemorate the 2010 edition of the annual SUMMER UNDER THE STARS on-air festival in August. The 31 exclusive card designs – one representing each star featured during the month-long programming event – will be showcased online starting August 1 at http://tcm.com/summer, the extensive online destination for SUMMER UNDER THE STARS. In addition, TCM will be giving away 500 complete printed sets of the collectible trading cards through an online sweepstakes.
The Schwab card designs will serve as the primary graphic imagery on the SUMMER UNDER THE STARS website. The cards feature Schwab’s signature technique of clean lines and bold colors, with the central figures shown in silhouette. Among the films and actors to be featured in the card set are Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca (1942), Steve McQueen in Bullitt (1968), Elizabeth Taylor in Butterfield 8 (1960), Woody Strode in Sergeant Rutledge (1960), Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke (1967), Lee Remick in A Face in the Crowd (1957) and Clint Eastwood in Hang ‘Em High (1968). Clicking on one of the cards will lead to a full view of the schedule for that card’s star, in-depth background, video clips and photos.
TCM is printing a limited number of collectible trading card sets to be given away to fans through an online sweepstakes. The back of each printed card includes a quote from the movie and character featured, as well as a list of the star’s other films being shown. Fans can enter for a chance to win a set of cards through http://tcm.com/summer. Two sweepstakes drawings will be held, with 250 winners chosen in the middle of the month and another 250 chosen at the end of the month.
TCM’s trading card initiative follows on the heels of the network’s highly successful movie poster campaign last August, when the SUMMER UNDER THE STARS site featured re-imagined “summer blockbuster” movie posters touting classic titles like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), North by Northwest (1959) and The Magnificent Seven (1960).
“Like last year’s contemporary take on movie-posters, this year’s SUMMER UNDER THE STARS collectible card approach is a fun and fresh way to present iconic images from classic films,” said Richard Steiner, vice president of new media and TCM digital. “These innovative designs by Michael Schwab capture the essence of each of our spotlighted stars with a simple and beautiful graphic image. We’ve admired Michael’s career over many years and felt he was a perfect fit for TCM. There is as much mystery as there is elegance in each of these images, like so many of the great performances of these timeless stars.”
“I am excited and very proud to be part of TCM’s Summer Under the Stars festival,” said Schwab. “Creating each portrait has been an adventure. At times, it felt as if some of these actors were here with me in the studio urging me on.”
Each August, movie fans come out of the sun and park themselves on the sofa for the latest edition of TCM’s ultimate movie star showcase: SUMMER UNDER THE STARS. Returning for its eighth year, the programming event dedicates each of its 31 days to one of Hollywood’s most enduring personalities. Assembled from the network’s library of more than 5,000 films, this one-of-a-kind festival is an opportunity for viewers to enjoy a varied selection from each star’s body of work, uncut and commercial free.
One of America’s most recognized and beloved graphic artists, Michael Schwab focuses on the interplay of positive and negative space to create iconic images that are strong and simple yet always contemporary. His resonant images codify his work as thoughtful, lasting and sustainable, characteristics that are increasingly rare and highly appreciated by his roster of clients, including Nike, Polo, Wells Fargo, Amtrak, Sundance, Pebble Beach, Muhammad Ali, Robert Redford and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. More of Schwab’s work can be viewed at http://www.michaelschwab.com.
Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world. Currently seen in more than 85 million homes, TCM features the insights of veteran primetime host Robert Osborne and weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests. As the foremost authority in classic films, TCM offers critically acclaimed original documentaries and specials, along with regular programming events that include The Essentials, 31 Days of Oscar and Summer Under the Stars. TCM also stages special events and screenings, such as the upcoming TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood; produces a wide range of media about classic film, including books and DVDs; and hosts a wealth of materials at its Web site, www.tcm.com. TCM is part of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.