SHREK Key Art Campaigns
Once upon a time, audiences had never heard of Shrek.
DreamWorks knew they had a good picture on their hands with the original Shrek feature but were concerned parents weened on traditional Disney classics might be put off by the irreverent tone and unconventional hero.
With the title character's relative obscurity in mind, I sketched a thumbnail which played up the cast names -- an unusual approach for animated features at that time, but one which has since become standard marketing practice. My thumbnail formed the basis for what ultimately became the Shrek franchise's first piece of finished Key Art.
Above: Original Thumbnail
Right: Final Teaser One Sheet
DreamWorks Pictures / 2001
In addition to my work on the Shrek Print campaign I wrote the script to the TEASER TRAILER. The rhyming copy acknowledges the story's fairytale roots with an irreverence that distinguished it from the competition. . .
Above: Click image to see the original Shrek Teaser Trailer
Left: Final Teaser Trailer Script
DreamWorks Pictures / 2001
I also provided Key Art concepts and copy for the first two Shrek sequels . . .
Above: Shrek 2 Teaser One Sheet Thumbnail
Right: Final Teaser One sheet
DreamWorks Pictures / 2004
Above: Shrek 2 International Outdoor Key Art Concept
Illustration by Bill Garland
Concept & art direction by Rob McFarlane
Above: Shrek the Third Teaser One Sheet Thumbnail
Right: Final Teaser One Sheet
DreamWorks Pictures / 2007
Unless otherwise noted, the work shown on these pages was either created by Rob McFarlane or produced under his creative direction.