Karin Fong of Imaginary Forces on Main Titles and the Power of Less Literal Marketing

Karin Fong, a founding member of Imaginary Forces, is an Emmy-winning director and designer working at the intersection of film, television and graphic design.

Her work includes the main titles for numerous television shows and feature films—most recently, Lisey’s Story, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Little Fires Everywhere and Bill & Ted Face the Music. She has directed spots for major brands, including Lego, Lexus, Target, Sony PlayStation, Toyota and Herman Miller. From video-game campaigns to large-scale theatrical installations, Karin’s work spans the spectrum of visual storytelling.

We spoke with Karin for our Backstory series, where we chat with folks in the entertainment industry about their creative inspirations and more.

Karin, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

Born in 818, now in 323, with stints in 203, 617 and 646 in between.

Your first job in the industry.

Working as an animator for the PBS show Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? for WGBH Boston, public television.

A breakthrough moment in your career.

Whenever I’m shooting. I directed my first live-action commercial, a car spot, just over a couple decades ago, and what an “aha” moment that was, to be able to combine the precision of design with footage I’d shot myself. Being able to work holistically gave me the freedom to create pieces that blend both graphic and filmic techniques into a hybrid language. This could mean anything from combining illustrations with footage, to translating a video game into a cinematic trailer.

When you’re on set, you can’t control the frame-by-frame outcome. And that’s a good thing! The nature of shooting underscores the potential of surprise—something that happens in a way you didn’t imagine. After all, who wants to be limited by their own imagination?

Three movies you couldn’t do without.

In the Mood for Love. I can’t count how many times I’ve referenced the cinematography, production design, styling and dresses.

Star Wars. Because it’s my childhood.

Grease. For obvious reasons.

Your favorite movie quote.

Do. Or do not. There is no try. —Yoda 

Your favorite movie trailer or poster.

The trailer for Alien is a superb example of less is more. Amazing sound design that does the heavy lifting, and a restraint that makes it all the more terrifying, that your mind does the work—all paying off in the perfect tagline.

A classic TV show and a recent TV show that you loved.

Classic: Three’s Company. Recent: Ted Lasso.

A recent project you’re proud of.

Documentary filmmaker Karam Gill asked us to create a series of interstitials for his Showtime series Supervillain: The Making of Tekashi 6ix9ine, a three-part show about the notorious rapper. It’s so fun to conceptualize how we could get across the idea of manufactured celebrity. From the beginning, we knew we were setting up a stylish lab, in which a modern-day Frankenstein would be constructed. Before I knew it, I was shooting action figures and test tubes on a light table, ultimately combining the footage with CG and stop-motion animation to tell the story. It’s just amazing to work with filmmakers who want to push both the visual language and the use of metaphors to get something unexpected on screen. Why be literal when you can be memorable?

1.1 Trauma

1.2 Appearance

1.3 Mission

2.1 Weaponry

2.2 Propaganda

2.3 Notoriety

3.1 Ego

3.2 Resilience

3.3 Society

Someone else’s project that you admired recently.

I’m sorry, I don’t have some rare gem to dig out of obscurity here but I have to say that the Nike ad with the split screens—what a tour de force. That craft can’t be beat. It’s so hard to do that with footage, never mind found examples. And it highlights the game-changing quality of OCD editorial. When it’s this good, it looks so easy.

One thing about how entertainment marketing is evolving that you’re excited about.

It’s super cool how there are so many venues for short shareable content—places where you can integrate bursts of storytelling. As a title designer, I’m asked all the time how I feel about people skipping the titles. Of course, I want them to watch! But in reality, most of us experience the titles as something posted and shared—viral content outside of the show. So, in many ways, a main title that is meant to welcome the viewer into the show’s world becomes even more valuable as a branding mnemonic. Just hearing the music, or seeing the title card, or other iconic imagery, can evoke an emotional, visceral reaction that ties back to the story, even when you are “away in the real world.” It’s another way the show can plant a flag in our cultural landscape.

I’m excited about work that is provocative—that has the audience ask questions. It’s not about explaining, it’s about setting a mood. Viewers are sophisticated, and I appreciate marketing that is less literal, that challenges the viewer with metaphors or a sense of mystery.

What would you be doing if you weren’t in entertainment marketing?

My first dream career: creating my own line of greeting cards. Or some other job that utilizes the very specific skill of making horribly bad puns.