Behind the Scenes: Creating Curzon's 90s Retro Summer Magazine Cover and Stop Motion Magic

Behind the Scenes: Creating Curzon's 90s Retro Summer Magazine Cover and Stop Motion Magic

By Krisztian Sipos

Blast from the past! We're absolutely chuffed to pull back the curtain on our latest project with the brilliant team at Curzon Cinemas.

Following the smash success of our retro-inspired summer magazine cover, they invited us back to create something even more dynamic: a delightful stop-motion film that brings a 1990s bedroom to life. It was a proper nostalgia trip, celebrating iconic films like Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible.

Grab a cuppa and enjoy the behind-the-scenes story of how it all came together.

The Vision: A Double Dose of 90s Nostalgia

Curzon's vision was to create a bold, playful campaign that would resonate with film lovers who cherish the iconic era of 90s cinema.

The project had two brilliant parts:

1. A Retro Magazine Cover: A single, stunning image to stop readers in their tracks.

2. An Animated Stop Motion Short: A living, breathing extension of that world to captivate audiences online.

Our mission was to design, style, and direct both elements, ensuring a cohesive and thrilling journey from the page to the screen.

Building the World: From Sketch to Set

Designing the 90s Dream Bedroom

The heart of both projects was the set. We didn't just dress a room; we built one from the ground up—literally. The first step was constructing a false wall to create the perfect bedroom corner, complete with classic wood-effect panelling and iconic 90s memorabilia.

Every detail was meticulously chosen for authenticity:

• The Walls: Adorned with classic film posters from the Curzon archive.

• The Desk: A treasure trove of Nostalgia—a chunky CRT television, a cassette tape collection, film reels, and a beloved video game controller.

• The Vibe: We aimed for that perfect mix of cool and cosy, a place every 90s kid would recognise.

The Magazine Cover Photoshoot: Capturing a Moment

The cover shoot took place over two days at Curzon's stunning office in Holborn. The goal was to create a composition that felt spontaneous and full of life.

Lighting was key to achieving a warm, cinematic feel that echoed the warmth of the films we were celebrating.

Holding the final printed magazine was a surreal and proud moment for me.

But the honour didn't stop there. It was fantastic to see the work highlighted and shared with their audience of film lovers.

You can read the full feature on the Curzon Journal here.

Directing the Stop Motion: Where the Magic Comes to Life

Then came the enjoyable part: animation! Stop motion is a patient art form, bringing static objects to life one frame at a time.

Our process looked like this:

1. Storyboarding: We planned the sequence shot by shot, determining the narrative flow of objects moving around the room.

2. The Shoot: Using a professional stop-motion rig, we meticulously moved each item—a cassette tape, a poster, and a book—in tiny increments, capturing a frame after each movement. Thousands of frames later, the illusion of life was complete!

3. The Director's Role: My job was to oversee every movement, ensuring smooth animation that felt playful and engaging, true to the joyful spirit of the campaign.

Why We Love Collaborative Projects Like Curzon

This project was a brilliant reminder of why we do what we do. The energy and trust from the Curzon team allowed us to push our creativity and deliver something truly special. It's a testament to the magic that happens when a client embraces bold ideas and a collaborative spirit.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Do you offer both photography and stop motion direction?

Absolutely! At Krisztian Studio, we specialise in creating vibrant, story-driven visuals, whether through a single photograph or a frame-by-frame animation.

We concept, style, direct, and shoot to bring a client's vision to life seamlessly across different mediums.

What does a Stop Motion Director actually do?

Great question! As a director, I'm responsible for the overall creative vision of the film.

This includes:

• Developing the concept and storyboard.

• Directing the movement and "performance" of the objects.

• Working with the cinematographer to ensure the lighting and framing are perfect.

• Overseeing the entire process to ensure the final film is engaging, on-brand, and tells a compelling story.

We have a product. Can you create a stop-motion video for us?

Without a doubt!

Stop motion isn't just for nostalgia projects—it's a fantastic way to make your product stand out. We can bring anything from cosmetics to tech gadgets to life in a way that CGI often can't match, making them dance, float, and come to life. It's all about creating something unique and memorable that captures attention.

How can we start a project with you?

Wonderful! The first step is to discuss your idea. Head over to our Contact Page to get in touch. 

We'd love to hear about your brand, your vision, and how we can help you create visuals that truly stand out.

A massive thank you again to the team at Curzon Cinemas for this incredible opportunity. This project was a true joy from start to finish.

Fancy creating something unique for your brand? Let's chat!

Explore more of our work in the Portfolio.

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