AS IF THERE WERE TREES

Picture the scene. Oscar-nommed helmer Gary McKendry asks us to produce the poster for his new short film, “As If There Were Trees” (based on a Colum McCann story), premiering at the Belfast Film Festival. Quicker than you can say “action” we construct a stacked tower of type with one elongated common “E” for the title, mirroring the high-rise housing projects where the narrative unspools amid tension between residents and immigrants. Adding a bird representing the main character provides a grace note of colour and hope. Since it was our second collaboration, Gary was (for once) happy to take direction.