“The Sprinter” Part Six: The DVD
After finishing The Sprinter Justin and I split the duties for the DVD production. Justin conceptualized the packaging design and I designed and programmed the DVD menus and functionality. We collaborated back and forth and eventually produced a bunch of copies which we sold on The Match Factory and at the various film festivals and art shows where The Sprinter was shown.
Justin’s approach for the DVD packaging was creative and fitting. The piece comes as separate parts assembled in a plastic sleeve. The base was a piece of particle board, cut to size and wrapped with newsprint. On it was glued a raised, foam cylinder, which held the DVD in place. Collected on top of the wood piece are a series of square prints. Our visual interpretations of the film’s themes.
For the DVD menus I re-executed the films basic form-factor of juxtaposing simple footage with chaotic bursts. There are three menu items, behind which plays a simple, slowed down piece of abstract footage which occasionally abruptly cuts to one of the films chaotic, short bursts of footage. One of the menu links allows you to play the music from the film. By clicking it you are presented with a small window of footage from the film which is accompanied by one of the songs used in the film. You can just let them all play or skip around. Justin’s younger brother Zach thought this was sweet.
As a whole I think the DVD menus and packaging are very complimentary and supportive of the film itself. They have the same the same hand-touched feel and personal soul of the film. The DVD has surprises and a voice of its own, but doesn’t over-shadow the film. There are probably a few things that we could’ve done better, but learning is part of the process. If you are lucky enough to work on projects that challenge your abilities you are bound to make mistakes. If you’re smart you learn from them.
