The Man Who Makes movie Magic: teddy Blanks, Hollywood’s Secret Title Designer
Teddy Blanks, a 40-year-old with a neatly trimmed mustache and a penchant for ripped jeans, recently found himself in a Times Square AMC multiplex, eagerly awaiting the opening scene of “Wicked: Part 1.” He wasn’t there for the spectacle of Oz,but for a glimpse of his own handiwork: the film’s title,rendered in a custom-designed typeface that fills the screen during a sweeping aerial shot.
“I partly based it on old chapter letterings from L.Frank Baum’s first ‘Oz’ book,” Blanks explained, his eyes twinkling with pride. “I wanted it to have a dose of nostalgia. Me and the director, Jon Chu, went through like 20 W variations until it had the perfect serifs and curves.”
As the magical world of Oz unfolded on the screen, Blanks pointed excitedly at his creation. Then, settling back into his seat with a Coke …