February is Black History Month, and we'd like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our favorite productions by Black creators and directors. Representation, both in front of and behind the camera, is an incredibly powerful tool for progress and change. On Air Design is proud to have provided digital printing services for these productions to make the stories come to life through their sets. Below, we're highlighting five recent movies and television shows spanning various genres, from Christmas capers to horror films. Want more? We've previously featured the following productions on our blog: Abbott Elementary, They Cloned Tyrone, Haunted Mansion, Nope, The Harder They Fall, and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
Candy Cane Lane
2023, directed by Reginald Hudlin
A man makes a deal with a mischievous Christmas elf to help his family win the neighborhood Christmas decorating contest. What could go wrong? Well, everything. But in the end, with everyone working together and a little bit of help from Santa, the family is able to break the spell and set everything right. On Air's custom signage, wallpaper, and other prints helped the Christmas spirit come to life on screen. Seen here in the background, custom red wallpaper adds texture and festive air to the magical shop.
A Black Lady Sketch Show
2019-2023, created by Robin Thede
Critically acclaimed, quick-witted, and full of heart (not to mention an incredibly talented cast), A Black Lady Sketch Show was created by Robin Thede to address the lack of representation for Black women in comedy. The show's clever, hilarious sketches cover everything from reimaginings of Bible stories to a modern-day "Black lady courtroom." Over the four seasons, On Air printed a variety of murals, wallpapers, and faux surfaces to help set the scene for each sketch.
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist
2024, created by Shaye Ogbonna
Fight Night chronicles the story of a fictionalized armed robbery on the same night as Muhammad Ali's historic October 1970 comeback fight. Along with a fast-paced plot and all-star cast, the series is visually full of drama. Excellent period costumes and swanky 70s sets, hazy with cigarette smoke and intrigue, are brought to life with plenty of vintage wallpaper by On Air, immersing viewers in the time period.
The Deliverance
2024, directed by Lee Daniels
The Deliverance, based on the events of the Ammons haunting case, follows the Jackson family as they move into a house and start experiencing strange demonic events. Between earthly obstacles (medical bills, alcoholism, and family struggles) and supernatural ones (strange noises, children acting unusual, crucifix decorations catching fire), the film is full of tension on all sides. On Air printed a custom curtain for the spooky house. Our design team illustrated this pattern, which features icons Diana Ross, Nina Simone, and Donna Summer for a previous Lee Daniels project.
A Jazzman's Blues
2022, directed by Tyler Perry
Almost 30 years after Tyler Perry first wrote the screenplay, A Jazzman's Blues is his most acclaimed film. Two young, forbidden lovers grow up, fall in love, and come of age in the Jim Crow South, making for a melancholy, bittersweet story. The complicated, rich romance involves a dash of murder mystery and calls for period-accurate sets. On Air printed a variety of wallcoverings for the film, including vintage wallpaper and the backdrop for the jazz stage set.
