Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:44 pm by Kipple
Film prompts animated LA billboard
Published: Jan. 27, 2008 at 2:47 PM
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- An Iranian-born businessman says he wants to erect a 14-story animated billboard for a Los Angeles building after being inspired by the film "Blade Runner."
Businessman Sonny Astani said that after seeing the futuristic 1982 film years after its release, he was inspired to bring its looming cinematic advertisements to reality, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.
That inspiration led Astani to a 33-story condominium project in downtown Los Angeles, where he wants to place his 14-story billboard on the sides of two buildings.
"My intent is to do something so unique that people will drive downtown to see it," Astani said of his plan. "It will make the building famous for the people who live there."
Astani's "Blade Runner" proposal is representative of a new marketing trend in Los Angeles focusing on large animated billboards, the Times said.
Such proposals have been met with some skepticism by local activists, who contend such intense billboards would only serve as major distractions capable of nearly blocking out the night sky.
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