In the Fall issue of Indie Slate (#55), Pixascope founder and creative director, Aaron Lea, tackles the familiar trend in using “floating heads” for a film’s poster art.

Seen on everything from Casablanca to Iron Man, this style of key art is recognized by the disembodied portrait shots floating in an abyss of design. However, unlike big studio pictures, smaller indies don’t always have the luxury of having Humphrey Bogart or Robert Downey Jr.

“Know that this aesthetic principle seen in mainstream key art is not an artistic choice, but merely a method to sell a film based on celebrity. They’re not selling story here, or even concept, they’re selling familiar faces. If you don’t have a Bruce Willis, or even a Bruce Campbell, then you should re-examine how you plan on marketing your movie.”

Be sure to pick up a copy of Indie Slate issue #55, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Books-A-Million,