i have been looking forward to seeing bruce campbell's new independent film, "ERNIE & EMMA" ever since i saw the poster pop up on letterboxd in 2024. as each premiere passed at the beginning of this year, i hoped i would be able to go to one someday. well, my chance finally came, and it only took saving up for a plane ticket.
i was so grateful to be in attendance, front and center, at the historic redford theatre in detroit this past friday evening, where bruce introduced the film personally and answered questions after. being inspired by 1960s valentines, i wanted to evoke a "memory glow" feeling to match the bittersweet tone of the movie. i illustrated and got this poster risograph printed as a special gift for bruce, and planned on handing it over somehow.
what i did not plan on was shaking sam raimi's hand right before the movie started, and then being asked by bruce personally to show it to the crowd during the q&a, and to get a $5 bill from his wallet in return as his own cheeky way of "supporting the arts" whilst being unable to take the poster home with him. when i got to tell him he was my greatest inspiration he told me to raise the bar a little higher, but i like where it's at, and it's gonna stay there. i'm very glad that he picked on me at all ("the guy with all the buttons and shit", HA!) enjoyed my question about what inspired him to make such a film in general, and told me a couple stories about his father in the ad business. i hope i get to see the film many more times. it was so genuine and heartfelt, and a true glimpse into a life that we don't often get to see on the big screen. as bruce said, no one else has made a movie about a pear salesman!
due to how much the movie means to bruce, and how much that night meant to me, this is one of my favorite things i've ever made. i feel like i pushed myself in every way — it took me almost a month to complete, and it is a true labor of love. i hope you all enjoy it too, and if bruce happens to be bringing the movie to your state, you should absolutely go check it out.
and of course, here are some beautiful detail shots of the individual valentines i cut out by hand, as well as smaller corners of the poster.
humanization of the criminal butterfly family (i love them) and some father-daughter sketches in attempts to understand how to draw them (i love them too)
Summary: Mabel has been visiting the glade for a while now and King George tells Mabel about a wolf roaming around. But Mabel has never seen a wolf before in the glade, no one has. But what happens when she finds out that the wolf is someone whom she expected the least?
Note: This is not a romantic and/or sexual ship. THIS IS A PLATONIC FIC. I better not see any reblogs, comments or asks about how "the age gap is too large" cuz they ain't dating.
In the dark and lonely night of Beaverton, the newly graduated Mabel Tanaka roams around the street on her skateboard. She only had one destination in mind, the wildlife reserve. She'd normally come to the glade to hang out with her animal friends or to calm down when it felt like the world was against her.
Tonight was neither of those nights.
Earlier that day, she arrived at the glade to check up on King George and the rest of the animals. When given her phone, he would usually type out random emojis, the potato and hospital one being his favorite. However, he typed out a few emojis. A wolf, a moon, and a tree. That can not be good. No one has seen a wolf in Beaverton.
So that's why Mabel is out. She finally arrived at the wildlife preserve. Of course, she shouldn't be here but it wasn't her first time invading something off limits and she did worse. She left her skateboard at the rock that sat in front of this lake, just in case she needs a quick escape.
Equipped with a flashlight, she started to explore the woods. The bright full moon was out, moonlight peeking through the branches. It gave off such a mythical vibe that she has never felt before. Suddenly, the light from her flashlight had caught something on the ground. Shoe prints. It was imprinted on the soft dirt and it was bigger than Mabel's. Someone else was here... But who? Mabel kept following the prints, the anticipation and need for answers was growing.
She noticed a figure in the distance. It looked like that of an adult male. When she got closer, she couldn't believe her eyes?
"Jerry?"
There he was, Mayor Jerry, out in the clearing, suit and all. He turned around, his eyes widening.
"Mabel??" He asked, his voice full of fear and shock, "What are you doing here??"
"George told me about the wolf..." Mabel answered, "What are YOU doing here??"
Jerry raised his hands up in surrender, "Look, you have to get out of here."
"I'm not going until you tell me!" Mabel defied him.
He looked more panicked.
"Listen to me! You have to stay-!"
Jerry immediately collapsed on the ground, his breathing erratic.
"Jerry?" Mabel asked with concern
Jerry looked up at the moon before something happened. He grew in size, soft grey and white fur growing from his body. His bones cracked and pop as they shift. His clothes were now just pieces of torn fabric. Mabel just watched as wolf ears appeared on his head and his teeth grew sharper.
Mabel immediately stepped back. When the transformation was finally complete, there stood a giant wolf in Jerry's place, and its head snapped towards Mabel.
"Yeah, I'm out." Mabel thought as she started to run.
The wolf immediately howled, its golden eyes widening before taking off. It had its eye set on the girl.
The forest felt like a labyrinth as Mabel ran. Every twist and turn seemed to be taunting her. Why couldn't she find the lake?? She was too busy thinking before she felt some pounce on her. She turned herself over before she came face to face with the wolf. He was breathing heavily as he snarled and bared his fangs at Mabel.
She was shaking, adrenaline was coursing through her veins. Suddenly, the wolf's breathing started to slow down until it was at a consistent pace. His eyes soften before he stopped showing his teeth. He tilted his head, an ear flicking.
"Roo?" He whined, like a dog realizing it did something bad.
He immediately got off of Mabel before she got up.
"You're the wolf..." Mabel muttered out in shock.
The wolf, Jerry, nodded his head before nudging Mabel with his snout. It seemed like he wanted to follow her.
So Mabel had two choices. She could follow the wolf, or haul her butt and-
The wolf immediately barked at her.
So following the wolf it is.
Jerry started to walk with Mabel in tow. Everything was so quiet now. The wind rustling and the soft sounds of the ground being stepped on were the only things to be heard.
Soon enough, Mabel and Jerry arrived back at the clearing where his torn up clothes were.
"How long have you been a wolf?" Mabel asked as Jerry sat down.
Jerry immediately went to the dirt to write out something. The number 2.
Mabel knew that the full moon was seen once a month so this meant that this was his second time transforming.
"Oh my gosh..." She murmured before sitting down.
"Do you want me to stay?" She asked.
Jerry stared at her before reluctantly nodding, going over to her before laying down on his stomach.
For some reason, Mabel stretched her hand out to pet Jerry on the head. He instantly growled before slowly melting against her touch. He let out what could be described as a wolfy grumble.
"I guess I'll have to tell the others about this. Even if they don't believe me." Mabel thought.
As Jerry relaxed and closed his eyes, Mabel thought about something. Jerry might need help with this... Maybe Mabel could help him with this new side of himself. She was already a busy woman, being Dr. Sam's assistant and helping wildlife, but then again, this could just be another thing she could do. She looked down at Jerry before the wolf looked at her. It was like they shared at mutual understanding and they both knew...
It'll take a while for both of them to understand this, but that's ok.
stormborns
tangentwithtanner
pixelskylines
2087
snowghoul
dailybridgerton
areudirty
izzy806
jacobvanloon
