Banquet Program Design- Need Feedback!

[Albino]

So I'm creating a cover for the program of my school's band banquet. This year, the theme is "Old Hollywood". I'm not a huge fan of the theme, and I think that might show a little too much in my design. If you guys can give any advice on how to integrate the theme better, or if you like it the way it is, I would love to hear your opinions! Thanks!!

[Albino]

Ok, so I totally revamped the design and have come up with this. I'm pretty happy with it.

[Coy]

I like it except for the font. I'd go with maybe a brittanic or broadway type font. I'm diggin the image though.

[_Redrum]

I like the image as well. It looks good for a youth audience. The one thing I would say about it is that it may not be very effective once printed. It has a lot of details and similar values that might just blend together when someone is passing by it in the hallway. If you could find a simpler image that represents old Hollywood, you would get people's attention faster, and they would know right away the subject of the poster. Let's face it, they'll be looking at the image first. You have a second or two to captivate them. Think simple and interesting.

With the letters, I would try to balance out the thick ones and thin ones. Like in banquet for example, you could add some thick ones to the middle or close to the end of the word and maybe vary the thickness a bit. That would make it look more customized and interesting. Maybe rotate some of the letters a tad. They look nice and scrappy, like the main image, but you have to finish it off with the final details as well. If you're going for the "not so perfect" look, then you should apply that to everything including size, shape, and positioning. Just don't go overboard, or it will become unreadable.

[Albino]

Ok, I tried two versions with altered text. Which one do you all prefer?

[Coy]

I like the bottom one better.
even though the lettering is similar to the first it looks more appealing and fits the artwork better.

[Albino]

Thanks for the tips! I agree, it looks way better now!

[rajkumar.05]

i like the first one....
second is not bad either
maybe some dusty appearance might give it much more face lift.

[rajkumar.05]

i meant for the writing below the picture