Saul Bass, Movie Poster and Film Magician

( photo by John G. Zimmerman)

Saul Bass was born on May 8, 1920, in New York City. He studied at the Art Students League in Manhattan until attending classes with Gyorgy Kepes at Brooklyn College.

He began his time in Hollywood doing print work for film ads, until he collaborated

with filmmaker Otto Preminger to design the film poster for his 1954 film Carmen Jones.

Preminger was so impressed with Bass’s work that he asked him to produce the title sequence as well.

This was when Bass first saw the opportunity to create something more than a title sequence,

but to create something which would ultimately enhance the experience of the audience

and contribute to the mood and the theme of the movie within the opening moments.

Bass was one of the first to realize the creative potential of the opening and closing

credits of a movie. He also designed matchbook covers and childrens’ books.

And in turn inspired a whole series of imitators to his style.

You can read more about Saul here.