The official Bad Santa Squad uniforms were inspired by “Reservoir Dogs,” (but we happily accept the comparisons to the Men In Black and the Blues Brothers). The pose was set with the instructions, “Don’t look jolly.” Photographer: Deborah Frankel.
Inspired by vintage vacation postcards, and in particular, those from Cypress Gardens, Florida featuring their water-skiing shows. This was our first effort with Carsten Steinhausen. This one was sent along with a see-through over-lay card that announced “We’re Moving!” and gave the address of our new offices.
One of our simplest cards, but one of our favorites. Santa Claus is played by our IT consultant, Daniel Kutt. Note: The “N.P.P.D.” (North Pole Police Department) logo on the back.
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Our Friends, reading left to right: Top Row: Run DMC; Groucho Marx*; Marvin Gaye; Karl Marx*; Salvador Dali; Burl Ives; Iggy Pop; Marlene Dietrich*; John Lennon*. Second Row: Ralphie; Paul McCartney*; Frosty the Snowman; Bob Dylan*; Marilyn Monroe*; Clarence Clemons and Bruce Springsteen; Marlon Brando*; Dan Aykroyd; Snoopy; Billy Bob Thornton; The Grinch. Third Row: Jack Skellington and Sally; Hermie; Sonny Liston*; George Harrison*; Kurt Cobain; David Bowie; Ringo Starr; Elvis; Cindy Lou Who; Clarence Odbody; Bill Murray. Bottom Row: Buddy; Arnold Schwarzenegger; McCauley Culkin; Sam; Edmund Gwen; Napoleon Dynamite; Chevy Chase; Jimmy Stewart; Tim Allen; Diana Dors*; Rudolph; Curly, Larry & Moe; Shelly the Penguin.
(* also appears on original Sgt. Pepper’s album cover)
Our most elaborate effort, certainly, and one of our most popular. We actually built the floral display in the front on the day of the shoot. 400 plus chrysanthemums gave their lives in pursuit of art and marketing. Special thanks go to Hillar Kaplan New, our “Horticultural Attaché” who helped us recreate the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover as faithfully as we could, in context. The greatest challenge was finding suitable images of “our friends” wearing Santa hats, but Carsten Steinhausen managed to find them all - a heroic endeavor.
After Sgt. Pepper, we went simpler. This was our “White Album.” And, we had never seen a pop-up law firm holiday card before. This one features the frst appearance of Pi, unofficial firm mascot, on the back cover and among the “audience” behind the singers. Song, such as it is, by Jason Booth.
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Inspired, vaguely, by the video for Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues, this one was notable not only for the flip book format, but problems with delivery—the books tended to get separated from their envelopes after running through the U.S. Mail’s sorting machines even though we paid extra to ship them as packages. (We still have extras, so please let us know if you never got yours.) Flip book photographed and produced by A Little Scene Photo and Activation Co.
Our first to feature our staff as well as the attorneys. This was our most elaborate photo shoot, taking most of a day with multiple set-ups throughout our office, but it was a lot of fun. The rules of Hoof Ball remain a mystery.
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Inspired generally by “Mad Magazine,” it features references to several of our prior cards and the return of many old friends, including the Beatles, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, the Grinch, Pi, Shelly, and Frosty the Snowman (who was delicious). Artist: David Reyes (davtoons.com)
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
The Cargo Plane*- our Covid card. With everyone stuck at home, we decided to send paper airplanes, figuring everyone could use a new toy to play with over the holidays. For this one, under the circumstances, we decided to limit involvement of the rest of the firm. Gift-wrapped Santas by Carsten Steinhausen. Silhouette wing logos by David Reyes (davtoons.com). (* It has since been determined by top North Pole aeronautical engineers that the planes fly best with a pair of paper clips attached to the nose of the plane)
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Season's Greetings from Los Angeles
Photo Booth LLP – Of all the cards so far, this one may have been the most fun to shoot. We had a blast. It let everyone break out of the Bad Santa mode for a change. (The out-takes and their negatives have all been burned, so don’t ask.) But do not worry, the Bad Santas will be back next year with plenty of bad attitude. Photography, as always, by Carsten Steinhausen.
