MFA Student Wins Finalist Berth in Hollywood Reporter Competition

Doug Sirois’ “Pirates” Movie Poster Judged One of Tops in Key Art Awards

July 2, 2007

By Gail Matsunaga

Affirming the continued strength of the visual arts program, graduate student Doug Sirois captured third-place honors in the sixth annual Key Art Awards Student Competition — part of the Hollywood Reporter’s 36th annual Key Art Awards, which honor achievements in motion picture marketing and advertising.

The competition received more that 230 submissions from 26 college and design schools in California, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Entries were judged by entertainment industry veterans — representatives from all the major movies studios and creative agencies that studios contract with to develop marketing materials.

“It was a great pleasure to be a contestant in the 2007 Student Key Art awards, because there were plenty of genuine folks and some wonderful artwork,” said Sirois. “Each school had some great work and the entries were creative and imaginative. Most of the pieces displayed original ideas and a sense of professionalism. It is a great honor to be chosen in the top three and to attend the Key Art Awards in Hollywood.”

This year, the competition featured one-sheets (movie poster) — the category that Sirois entered — and trailers (movie preview) based on the films “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” (Sirois), “Brokeback Mountain” or “Walk the Line.” All schools received the films, in addition to collateral materials, such as production stills, logos and images from each.

“It is my pleasure each semester to offer guidance to the talented students in conceptualizing and designing entertainment artwork, including packaging, displays, advertising and the theatrical one-sheets honored by the Hollywood Reporter,” says Titan alumna Cheryl Savala, lecturer in art and principal and creative director of Menagerie Creative design company.