Phil Holliday is known very well for his ability to storyboard absolutely anything that exists in a script. He is also know for his highly detailed traditional scraperboard work, but less well known for his model spaceships, figurines and goblins. So when fantastical Photographer, Andreas Smetana, called with a brief to create a team of little figurine like people busying themselves about a giant bottle of OJ we thought Phil Holliday could bring it to life for him best. We asked Phil some questions about the brief and himself.
Q: What was your reaction when you first saw this brief?
A: The work was required very quickly, overnight in fact, so to be honest my first reaction to seeing it arrive was… Oh no!! The brief was very specific and the client wanted various elements included, he [Andreas] had a very firm idea of what he wanted but his client needed to see what he had in mind, so over to me!
Q: This particular illustration shows your technical skill applied to a fantasy. Is it part of your approach to always balance discipline with nonsense?
A: I don’t know about nonsense,but to make the improbable look possible is always a delight to achieve, I like stories and especially pictures that tell them. Effort is always required to make anything live, so I do my best.
Q: Do you prefer briefs that use your imagination or your ability?
A: Any brief you receive, you have to find a part of it you can call your own, otherwise your dead meat, as this is usually how to start…but obviously the more you can dream up to add what is needed the better as it allows you to be more involved, it’s always great to put your own ideas down on paper even if they serve to just reinforce another… I think this should always be part of the job.
Q: Did you enjoy building things when you were a boy? Do you still now?
A: My first ever job was a model spaceship! For BMW… I took time off school to do it, I used to build and paint model figurines prolifically, but used to have great fun ”converting ”them, bending arms, changing the regiments… even adding stubble! Now I am happy to just help my son make his model goblins and see his imagination at work, although it tends to be a little on the ”bloodthirsty ”side.
Q: What was your reaction when you first saw this brief?
A: The work was required very quickly, overnight in fact, so to be honest my first reaction to seeing it arrive was… Oh no!! The brief was very specific and the client wanted various elements included, he [Andreas] had a very firm idea of what he wanted but his client needed to see what he had in mind, so over to me!
Q: This particular illustration shows your technical skill applied to a fantasy. Is it part of your approach to always balance discipline with nonsense?
A: I don’t know about nonsense,but to make the improbable look possible is always a delight to achieve, I like stories and especially pictures that tell them. Effort is always required to make anything live, so I do my best.
Q: Do you prefer briefs that use your imagination or your ability?
A: Any brief you receive, you have to find a part of it you can call your own, otherwise your dead meat, as this is usually how to start…but obviously the more you can dream up to add what is needed the better as it allows you to be more involved, it’s always great to put your own ideas down on paper even if they serve to just reinforce another… I think this should always be part of the job.
Q: Did you enjoy building things when you were a boy? Do you still now?
A: My first ever job was a model spaceship! For BMW… I took time off school to do it, I used to build and paint model figurines prolifically, but used to have great fun ”converting ”them, bending arms, changing the regiments… even adding stubble! Now I am happy to just help my son make his model goblins and see his imagination at work, although it tends to be a little on the ”bloodthirsty ”side.
