Nicole Baroudi on the Behind the Scenes of Dark Comedy

There is very little information about The Saviors, the upcoming film from Adam Scott’s Great Scott Productions. In contrast to past tales about nefarious renters like Pacific Heights (Michael Keaton) or The Rental (Dave Franco), The Saviors blends fear and comedy to present a situation that potential landlords might do well to consider. With the current economic state prompting some homeowners to consider this revenue building stream, The Saviors hints at life altering pitfalls, or so we assume. One certainty is that the cast is impressive, consisting of such notables as (Primetime Emmy Award Nominees) Adam Scott (Severance, Parks and Recreation), Kate Berlant (Would It Kill You to Laugh, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Ron Perlman (Hellboy, Hand of God), BAFTA Nominee Danielle Deadwyler (The Bear, The Piano Lesson), Oscar Award Nominee Greg Kinnear, and Theo Rossi (The Penguin, Sons of Anarchy). Among the incredibly talented artists involved but not appearing on camera is Nicole Baroudi, a graphic designing linchpin who enables this genre-blending story to arrive at a tone that is both adventurous and entertaining. Though unable to reveal details about the storyline, Ms. Baroudi does describe her process in creating elements found throughout the story; a morsel that might satiate those eager to see this upcoming feature film. 

 Filmmaking is the ultimate team building process which exists upon delayed gratification. A small army of creative professionals come together to deliver one singular vision to delight and entertain audiences everywhere. For many on the crew of a film, their contributions might not be the primary focus of the camera but the effects of their work are felt profoundly. Graphic design is a wide label that can be applied to many components in a production. Nicole Baroudi asserts that her work always begins with a deep understanding of the entire story before beginning any graphic design. She describes, “The graphics you create function as a vehicle for the storytelling. To design effectively, you need to know the emotional intention behind each scene, the subtext, and how the production designer envisions the space working in relation to the characters. Every graphic exists within the larger environment, and understanding that environment is essential to ensuring that the piece supports the narrative. That’s why early and ongoing conversations with the production designer are so crucial: you need to be aligned on what each set is trying to say, what feeling it should evoke, and how each graphic contributes to that overall vision. For this particular project, that process began with reading the script in full so I could clearly grasp the story arc, the tone, the pacing, and the theme. From there, I worked closely with the production designer, who had prepared detailed look books filled with references and frameworks for each graphic element we needed.” Once she was well versed in the visual language and emotional intent of The Saviors, Nicole began her work with the confidence and skill which would craft the ideal wallpaper, newspaper clippings, street signage, pamphlets, posters, decorative wall art, product labels, postage labels, and more. These elements vary in appearance from handmade to looking corporate or institutional. Her creations can even be seen in more specialized graphics like political posters, and mock security camera footage – each one created to seamlessly integrate into the film’s visual world. Much of this film is built on tension and the uncertainty of where motivations lie. This mood is prominently reinforced through the graphic designs Nicole has created to support the vision for this film. Ms. Baroudi finds great satisfaction in the subtle touch she contributes to The Saviors and notes, “I find it highly rewarding how these small design elements quietly support the storytelling. Graphic props can easily go unnoticed, but when you see them seamlessly integrated into a scene, it feels incredibly gratifying. There’s often the pressure of time constraints in this industry and being forced to deliver something exceptional in a very short time frame. It’s this type of situation which builds the kind of self-confidence that reaffirms I’m in the right place.” 

Writer : Calvin Hooney