@@samsignorelli I'm not taking away from the effort, but it's kind of like someone building a plane, and someone else says, "look at how he paid attention to the aerodynamics!" ...well, yes, it did fly! Lot of other people probably wouldn't have flown.
I was commuting that corridor when this work of awesomeness was done, and remember noticing the new sign, and then immediately wondering if it'd been there the whole time... Our hero!
Back in the day, the details of this operation -- the Pantone, the haircut, the pickup truck, everything -- were INFAMOUS in certain Los Angeles circles. I've retold the story many times over the years with wide-eyed admiration. Can't believe there's video of it all! A true Los Angeles Legend. I salute you.
@@cdabcdefg12345 The story doesn't end with this video. The story broke about 9 months after he installed his illegal sign and it remained installed for another 8 years, despite not being a certified legal sign. When they took the sign down, the replaced it with his addition where it remains to this day.
The techniques he was using are from a bygone era where everything was done by hand and by humans. This sign would now be made in a 1/4 of the time on a computer. Much respect to the artist for doing everything by hand. In addition the video editing is pretty impressive for 2001 Final Cut Pro standards...artfully done
I was impressed by that too.. I worked in a sign shop in the late 80's and even then, we were using a computer and a plotter that cut letters out of vinyl
As a former resident of San Diego who occasionally commuted to Los Angeles during that era (2001 to 2009) I greatly appreciate your work and never knew you were responsible to thank for it until today. Thank you!
@@ankrom East Coaster here, but have visited S. CA and made the drive to/fm LAX to /fm San Diego a few times. What’s the “and now the rest of the story” that’s talked about to this day for the public service you provided. This left egg on some departments face. 🍳
@@RedDawg2k the sign was up 9 years 8 months, background panel was replaced with a new 5 north sign in 2009, and on the next two gantries. the original was crushed into a block and recycled to China
@@ankrom The least the city could have done was to give you back the sign you had so lovingly crafted!! Outrageous that they crushed it. p.s. What is the charcoal powder for? Can't figure out what that does on top of the aluminum.. Thank you for your service!!
I no longer live in LA (moved away in 2005). But I lived there at the time this was installed and must have seen the before and after and never noticed it (kinda the pt, right?) and, living for part of that time in So Pasadena, traveled this route regularly. So my question is does it persist today? From some comments here, I have a sense it does. But I'm also curious about the "official" story: what did "authorities" do/say -- if anything -- when the truth was out? Thanks to all artists involved!
This video honestly is like a perfect example of what I've always wanted to see in editing. The cuts, the music, the vibe. If only I could find more stuff in this style! Absolutely wonderfully and masterfully put together. And judging by the age this is late analog/early digital editing! Not only to say the whole concept and execution of the sign creation was amazing aswell
Considering this all filmed in 2001 so yea digital video was very expensive at the time. No smartphones. No camera phones. We still used film, disposable cameras, VHS tapes and VCRs were still a thing
I'm 62 years old now and have been traveling to Los Angeles every few years since I was 19 years old and I remember this section of highway being so confusing prior to 2001. I had no idea of Richard Ankrom's heroic fix of this sign 8 years before California fixed it themselves. 🇺🇸 THANK YOU!!!
Right here!! Born and raised in Southern California. Never heard of this before, but have definitely had the Experience of trying to jump across lanes. Kinda like Dallas
I’m a traffic engineer and national expert on traffic control devices (engineer jargon for signs, markings, and signals). I was literally laughing out loud as I watched this. You nailed it! My only critique (and I’m picking nits here) is the “N” should have been slightly taller than the “ORTH”, but using a larger initial letter in cardinal directions was a relatively new practice in 2001 and may not have been adopted by Caltrans yet. And did you look into using reflective sheeting? The cats eyes were the next best thing, though. Anyway, from a left brained engineer to a right brained artist, kudos to you sir, and thank you for the laughs! We truly want to be helpful and serve the public, but sometimes bureaucracy and politics get in the way.
So we have you to blame for the horrible state of traffic “engineering” these days? Funny title- traffic engineer- as you guys literally engineer traffic into existence 🤣
Total GENIUS!!!! I read about this in the newspaper several years back and have been searching the internet for this story ever since.. As a new transplant to LA from NY in 2000, I cant tell you how many times we had to cut someone off at the last minute to get over to the correct side of the 110 freeway on our way to Santa Clarita. How am I supposed to know that SANTA ANA is south of LA. When we saw the new I-5 sign we thought CALTRANS finally got their head out of their ass made the correction. It takes an independant guy like this to change the world. Good job bro!
What a concept! I trust this fine young man has been rewarded for saving lives and reducing stress. I drove this stretch of freeway throughout the big 80's. Accidents in the northern-most tunnel on the 110 caused by folks jumping 3 lanes trying to get to the NORTH-5 cutoff was a weekly occurrence. Bravo sir! Thank you for your valor, keen engineering, kindness and civic-mindedness!
As someone who has driven by this exit many times, I can guarantee you this man single handedly saved hundreds of hours of traffic congestion, and saved thousands of commuters hundreds of hours of time, not to mention he also prevented an untold number of traffic collisions due to "last minute" lane changes.
I can only think of one word to describe the thought process, the creativity, the industry, the precision and the daring of this useful public service performed without public assistance: AWESOME!
I just got started in the sign printing business and the work this person did to make that is nothing short of incredible. I was in awe watching them prepare and execute the actual making of the sign. Amazing
Can I just say how much I like this! Someone who actually took the time, effort and expense to fix something instead of just complaining about it. Way to go! I just wonder how many accidents were avoided by this repair? Way to go Richard!
Terrible, useless, invisible freeway signage is a pet-peeve of mine. It's so satisfying to see someone implement a carefully-considered, beautifully fabricated solution. Sometimes it seems the bureaucracies become too large to solve these simple, everyday problems for commuters. I give CalTrans credit for at least keeping it up after the fact, and admitting it actually helped!
it's almost as if they don't hire people who are smart or who care about .... anything. it's in fact almost as most people are not smart and do not care about... anything.
Overall, I think freeway / expressway signs are pretty good. I remember when the "Wrong Way" signs went up, people kept going up "off" ramps to get ON the expressway.
I wonder how much it cost him in time and materials... I reckon 20 hrs of research and design time, 10 of manufacturing. 5 in planning, transport and installation? A bit under a week's work, so maybe a grand in labor and a few hundred in materials?
He did spend money to get the equipment to do that, but at least what he did was more efficient than what the Federal Department of Transportation does.
Absolutely brilliant. Not sure why UA-cam recommended another video about this video, but I love it. The production, music, and the story is outstanding. Thanks for making a difference
Dear Mr Ankram, A generation of frantic drivers thanks you, if they only knew! I lived in LA fifty years, and you have to be psychic to navigate those freeways. And you could spend 20 years trying to go through channels. God love you.
In June 2021, I took a road trip from Arizona (drove alone) to upstate NY, with a stop in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Part of my route was the Ohio Turnpike (I-80, co-located with I-90 between Maumee and Cleveland). At some point, I no longer was seeing the I-90 signs and stopped at a rest area to ask for clarification (directions). I had missed my exit to continue along Lake Erie into PA and NY. Subsequently, I ended up driving an extra hour and a few (maybe 70 or so) miles. The scenery was lovely but it was a nuisance. I wasn't going to back track to figure out how I got sidetracked, but just now saw this very cool video that gives a plausible explanation. I was trying to be diligent about watching highway directional signage.
As an old school sign painter, and former employee of NYCDOT, who has made literally hundreds of these overhead gantry highway signs, it warms my heart to see this. So many of these signs designed by local and state DOT "engineers" are not done accurately. Kudos to Richard Ankrom for taking matters into his own hands. Side note: when I saw that he was cutting the interstate shield out of .080 aluminum I laughed out loud (literally), because that is EXACTLY the gauge used. Dope.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear orange vests. You, sir, are a legitimate HERO! Can’t tell you how frustrating that stretch of freeway was, people always cutting in at the last second, or worse, STOPPING in the #2 lane! You have saved countless accidents, and probably some lives as well. THANK YOU for your service! 🏅
Wonderful artistry with impeccable execution. The video is so fantastic and the concept was completely nailed. Absolutely one of my favorite "living" art pieces ever! You rock.
What I love is that he spent so much effort getting the green right for the North sign, and it doesn't match. That's because the green he researched is the MUTCD green color, and California signs use a darker green and are not standard.
We thought we were pretty bold when we could not get any signage on our dirt road and were tired of redirecting people. We ordered signs off the internet and while we were at it we added a few incorrect ones. That is; No Outlet, Private Property, No Trespassing and so on. It has really discouraged the riff raff. What you have done is provide a public service as well as an amazing work of art. Good thing the statute of limitations has run or the unions would sue you!
This was fantastic. The whole thing! The Jambi-esque head with the glowing red eyes, then the plan and the carrying out of the plan, which was genius and perfectly executed. What talent! And what a blessing you are to a lot of people because somebody had to make that sign, and it was you. By the way, Now I Know sent me here.
Nice work Richard. I like the way that the official sign designer, who made the sign to replace the sign that you "hacked", altered the design to give the I-5 exit even *better* clarity (rather than reverting to the older official sign that didn't show I-5). I would really love to know if that Caltrans designer was aware that he was basing his new sign on your "hack" or if he was fooled by your attempt to make your signs look official and old and built a sign to replace what he thought was already an approved design.
I wish the world had been able to keep a little bit of this magic. Thank you for recording the entire process-us younger people more than appreciate it!
all of the support material (sketches, script, images) have been archived and will be on display during the Brewery Artwalk Oct. 5-6 2024 Los Angeles Ca.
In Australia I learned to drive on the wrong (left) side of the road (high anxiety!) and was very thankful that their road signs are easy to understand by anyone from any country with any language! Totally simple and visual!
The Martin Denny music is the icing on the cake! And this could actually be the very last newly made and installed button copy sign in the USA (that's what those dots are called). Most states switched from button copy to reflective lettering in the 1990s, and the last holdout, which was Arizona, stopped installing new button copy signs in 2000.
BTW I-5 doesn't go through San Francisco, it does go through Sacramento. It's like a direct bypass. The way some people would think of it, you take the 580 to Oakland and then take 80 to SF, then go back on the 505 to reconnect to I-5, it's known as I-5W.
Brillant!!! Kudos to you and your entire team. I've lived here for over 30 years and never heard this story. You have helped me not miss that exit many, many times. Thank you.
Bravo! Probably many lives saved, countless accidents avoided. This guy pioneered the concept of #CustomerObsession before it became mainstream. #hatsoff for a well executed public service
I was referred to this video by "The Drive". The commentator had likened it to a David Lynch film. I concur. The score, some of the filming style, transitions, and especially the the misaligned audio with the disembodied red eyed giant head.....amazing.
I’m sure this brave genius has saved my life as I remember how dangerous it was to try to switch over all those lanes at the last minute. I would travel from San Diego north on the 5 but had to switch to the 110 to go home. This was surely a life saving idea back in the day. I can picture the “before “ now because it was so shocking when I realized that I had missed my exit and had to find a way back before GPS. All I had was a Thomas Guide.
I've most probably seen that sign circa 2008-2010 and I always wondered why is the arrow under the 5 sign a little off to the left but its because it was done by this great artist. If anything, this project highlights the inefficiencies of the public sector, 5 freeway connects the entire west-coast together, but at one of the most important junctions in one of the biggest cities in the planet it doesn't have proper signage. Amazing work. We need this spirit of can-do-ism everywhere
Another "Now I Know" reader here! It's gratifying to see there are so many other Now I Know subscribers interested in more depth and content than the typical fire hose of talking points that inundate my mailbox. This is a remarkable initiative/undertaking by the artist. A very interesting story and one I'll long remember.
This story is so "LA". Bad freeway signs that are ambiguous or don't show exits or transitions well drive you nuts. I've driven that stretch of road many, many times and he was exactly right - the 110-to-5 transition is an odd one and if you don't know what to look for, you're going to miss it.
Imagine how fast and how many helpful signs could be generated- and documented- with modern camera phones, software, CNC machines, and such. This is a civic art project ahead of its time.
Wow, this is rad... I remember driving this route all the time and remember seeing this correction/new upgrade. It was great... I remember when it was gone too. I was pissed... I always wondered why Cal-trans would remove it. I had friends in a band at the Art colony at the Winery on Main Street there. They were called the Cal-transvestites...
Funny, Caltrans didn't adopt the then current federal MUTCD, they used their own state manual. That state could learn a thing or two about signing exits, particularly on how to sign exit numbers on tabs like the rest of the country does. To folks thinking this video is "new", Richard posted it online back in 2001-02. Still a good watch though. The modem and Netscape Communicator screen shots seem to quaint today.
This is so awesome that you did this!! Love it! Thank you for being considerate and doing such an awesome public service!!! Also love your attention to detail and engineering effort!
The best part of this isn't what he did...but HOW he did it. The sign being made in full compliance with existing regs says it all.
Even the little round clear reflector disks!
To a T as they say !
Spot on awesome research and work!
Well he had to, if he wanted his addition to remain, and if he didn't want to get caught while doing it.
@@bujin5455 True....but someone else might've just gotten close and not actually paid attention to the specs. This guy put in the effort.
@@samsignorelli I'm not taking away from the effort, but it's kind of like someone building a plane, and someone else says, "look at how he paid attention to the aerodynamics!" ...well, yes, it did fly! Lot of other people probably wouldn't have flown.
I was commuting that corridor when this work of awesomeness was done, and remember noticing the new sign, and then immediately wondering if it'd been there the whole time... Our hero!
thank you
@@ankrom did you use rivets to hold it in place?
@@ashchbkv6965 #10 phillips head screws
@@ashchbkv6965 #10 self tapping philips head screws
And good-oh to the Transportation Department for leaving it up.
Back in the day, the details of this operation -- the Pantone, the haircut, the pickup truck, everything -- were INFAMOUS in certain Los Angeles circles. I've retold the story many times over the years with wide-eyed admiration. Can't believe there's video of it all! A true Los Angeles Legend. I salute you.
Lol he put up one sign... Makes you appreciate the graffiti artists that do stuff like this for breakfast
@@cdabcdefg12345 Not one of them can touch him.
@@cdabcdefg12345 different arts - both have room for respect & admiration. Chill.
@@cdabcdefg12345 The story doesn't end with this video. The story broke about 9 months after he installed his illegal sign and it remained installed for another 8 years, despite not being a certified legal sign. When they took the sign down, the replaced it with his addition where it remains to this day.
Wonder what he feels each and every time he drives by that...
The techniques he was using are from a bygone era where everything was done by hand and by humans. This sign would now be made in a 1/4 of the time on a computer. Much respect to the artist for doing everything by hand. In addition the video editing is pretty impressive for 2001 Final Cut Pro standards...artfully done
thank you
I was impressed by that too.. I worked in a sign shop in the late 80's and even then, we were using a computer and a plotter that cut letters out of vinyl
.25 of the time milling, 10x the time thru bureaucracy
And cost 10x as much somehow.
As a former resident of San Diego who occasionally commuted to Los Angeles during that era (2001 to 2009) I greatly appreciate your work and never knew you were responsible to thank for it until today. Thank you!
thank you!
@@ankrom East Coaster here, but have visited S. CA and made the drive to/fm LAX to /fm San Diego a few times. What’s the “and now the rest of the story” that’s talked about to this day for the public service you provided. This left egg on some departments face. 🍳
@@RedDawg2k the sign was up 9 years 8 months, background panel was replaced
with a new 5 north sign in 2009, and on
the next two gantries. the original was crushed into a block and recycled to China
No we got kids on tictok lip singing mumble rapers. Real shows you how far we've come...
@@ankrom The least the city could have done was to give you back the sign you had so lovingly crafted!! Outrageous that they crushed it. p.s. What is the charcoal powder for? Can't figure out what that does on top of the aluminum.. Thank you for your service!!
Today, August 5th, 2021, marks the 20th Anniversary of this fantastic and timeless escapade. Bless you Richard and thank you!
Thank You
I no longer live in LA (moved away in 2005). But I lived there at the time this was installed and must have seen the before and after and never noticed it (kinda the pt, right?) and, living for part of that time in So Pasadena, traveled this route regularly. So my question is does it persist today? From some comments here, I have a sense it does. But I'm also curious about the "official" story: what did "authorities" do/say -- if anything -- when the truth was out? Thanks to all artists involved!
@@djuna7 yes, a version exists on that gantry and the next two. they were replaced with new backgrounds and 5 North panels
So is it still up there?
@@______808________ a new version of the signs are there, the original has been recycled
A Professional Artist at work: Attention to details, safety, documentation, pushing boundaries.
thank you!
Really gets you thinking about what you can do to better the world around you instead of just being disgusted with it all.
@@kmg501 yes, thank you!
This video honestly is like a perfect example of what I've always wanted to see in editing. The cuts, the music, the vibe. If only I could find more stuff in this style!
Absolutely wonderfully and masterfully put together. And judging by the age this is late analog/early digital editing!
Not only to say the whole concept and execution of the sign creation was amazing aswell
thank you
Considering this all filmed in 2001 so yea digital video was very expensive at the time. No smartphones. No camera phones. We still used film, disposable cameras, VHS tapes and VCRs were still a thing
I love the vibe too. I was so captivated throughout.
And the perfect voice for narration!
Kind of reminded me of the skateboard videos of that era.
On behalf of all Californians, thank you for your service.
thank you
omg just read about this in The Drive. Can't believe you documented everything so perfectly, what a great short film
thank you, it was in AFI shorts in 2002
I'm 62 years old now and have been traveling to Los Angeles every few years since I was 19 years old and I remember this section of highway being so confusing prior to 2001. I had no idea of Richard Ankrom's heroic fix of this sign 8 years before California fixed it themselves. 🇺🇸 THANK YOU!!!
That saved me from a missed exit and I didn't even know who I had to thank for it when I passed through this area.
“Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country,”
“Ask not what your commute can do for you - ask what you can do for your commute”
Who's here watching this in 2024 🙌
Chicago suburbs here.
Dayton
No one. Once a year has passed you can never view a video again. It's UA-cam law
Right here!! Born and raised in Southern California. Never heard of this before, but have definitely had the Experience of trying to jump across lanes. Kinda like Dallas
Your services needed over here in UK.😁😁😁
You are amazing. These are the kind of stories that color our American existence. A national hero, if you ask me.
thank you
This guy is a folk hero. I guarantee you that sign has saved me time on my commute multiple times.
I’m a traffic engineer and national expert on traffic control devices (engineer jargon for signs, markings, and signals). I was literally laughing out loud as I watched this. You nailed it! My only critique (and I’m picking nits here) is the “N” should have been slightly taller than the “ORTH”, but using a larger initial letter in cardinal directions was a relatively new practice in 2001 and may not have been adopted by Caltrans yet. And did you look into using reflective sheeting? The cats eyes were the next best thing, though.
Anyway, from a left brained engineer to a right brained artist, kudos to you sir, and thank you for the laughs! We truly want to be helpful and serve the public, but sometimes bureaucracy and politics get in the way.
So we have you to blame for the horrible state of traffic “engineering” these days?
Funny title- traffic engineer- as you guys literally engineer traffic into existence 🤣
Thank you! i wanted the additions to look dated, to match existing. will be looking for larger first letters, that would help legibility
your critic is garbage BECAUSE that’s why the sign was in the wrong place
It matches the other sign work already installed
Total GENIUS!!!! I read about this in the newspaper several years back and have been searching the internet for this story ever since.. As a new transplant to LA from NY in 2000, I cant tell you how many times we had to cut someone off at the last minute to get over to the correct side of the 110 freeway on our way to Santa Clarita. How am I supposed to know that SANTA ANA is south of LA. When we saw the new I-5 sign we thought CALTRANS finally got their head out of their ass made the correction. It takes an independant guy like this to change the world. Good job bro!
You're that guy!
What a concept! I trust this fine young man has been rewarded for saving lives and reducing stress. I drove this stretch of freeway throughout the big 80's. Accidents in the northern-most tunnel on the 110 caused by folks jumping 3 lanes trying to get to the NORTH-5 cutoff was a weekly occurrence. Bravo sir! Thank you for your valor, keen engineering, kindness and civic-mindedness!
As someone who has driven by this exit many times, I can guarantee you this man single handedly saved hundreds of hours of traffic congestion, and saved thousands of commuters hundreds of hours of time, not to mention he also prevented an untold number of traffic collisions due to "last minute" lane changes.
@@komoru thank you
I can only think of one word to describe the thought process, the creativity, the industry, the precision and the daring of this useful public service performed without public assistance: AWESOME!
I just got started in the sign printing business and the work this person did to make that is nothing short of incredible. I was in awe watching them prepare and execute the actual making of the sign. Amazing
That sign helped so many people, thanks Richard, you're a hero to us over 20 years later.
Can I just say how much I like this! Someone who actually took the time, effort and expense to fix something instead of just complaining about it. Way to go! I just wonder how many accidents were avoided by this repair? Way to go Richard!
If I remember correctly it was good enough that Caltrans left it there till 2009
Terrible, useless, invisible freeway signage is a pet-peeve of mine. It's so satisfying to see someone implement a carefully-considered, beautifully fabricated solution. Sometimes it seems the bureaucracies become too large to solve these simple, everyday problems for commuters. I give CalTrans credit for at least keeping it up after the fact, and admitting it actually helped!
it's almost as if they don't hire people who are smart or who care about .... anything. it's in fact almost as most people are not smart and do not care about... anything.
Overall, I think freeway / expressway signs are pretty good.
I remember when the "Wrong Way" signs went up, people kept going up "off" ramps to get ON the expressway.
Driven uner that sign several hundred times and never new. Thank you, it was much appreciated!
That's awesome. And of course, he did for free what would take Caltrans $50K and two weeks to do.
if they were FDOT it'd take $500K and two months to do
two years!
I wonder how much it cost him in time and materials...
I reckon 20 hrs of research and design time, 10 of manufacturing. 5 in planning, transport and installation?
A bit under a week's work, so maybe a grand in labor and a few hundred in materials?
2 weeks lol
He did spend money to get the equipment to do that, but at least what he did was more efficient than what the Federal Department of Transportation does.
The moment I saw that overhead projector was the moment I realized I was old.
That shit gave me flashbacks to childhood just now.
sometimes i still use a projector. just about everything is done on a plotter now
Lololol same here. xD
A True Hero! Watching in 2024 after the video by the UA-cam channel "The Drive".
@@LilJollyJoker thank you
Absolutely brilliant. Not sure why UA-cam recommended another video about this video, but I love it. The production, music, and the story is outstanding. Thanks for making a difference
@@darkerarts thank you
Dear Mr Ankram,
A generation of frantic drivers thanks you, if they only knew! I lived in LA fifty years, and you have to be psychic to navigate those freeways. And you could spend 20 years trying to go through channels. God love you.
This gentleman deserves a key to the city. #LosAngeles
He probably just made one for himself
I was there Richard ! What a fantastic day !!
thank you, John and Mike for being there!
In June 2021, I took a road trip from Arizona (drove alone) to upstate NY, with a stop in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Part of my route was the Ohio Turnpike (I-80, co-located with I-90 between Maumee and Cleveland). At some point, I no longer was seeing the I-90 signs and stopped at a rest area to ask for clarification (directions).
I had missed my exit to continue along Lake Erie into PA and NY. Subsequently, I ended up driving an extra hour and a few (maybe 70 or so) miles. The scenery was lovely but it was a nuisance. I wasn't going to back track to figure out how I got sidetracked, but just now saw this very cool video that gives a plausible explanation. I was trying to be diligent about watching highway directional signage.
Wow. This probably saved lives. Trying to get on the northbound 5 from the 101 is nightmarish even with proper signage.
As an old school sign painter, and former employee of NYCDOT, who has made literally hundreds of these overhead gantry highway signs, it warms my heart to see this. So many of these signs designed by local and state DOT "engineers" are not done accurately. Kudos to Richard Ankrom for taking matters into his own hands. Side note: when I saw that he was cutting the interstate shield out of .080 aluminum I laughed out loud (literally), because that is EXACTLY the gauge used. Dope.
In my opinion this is what it truly means to be a citizen of your country.
Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear orange vests. You, sir, are a legitimate HERO! Can’t tell you how frustrating that stretch of freeway was, people always cutting in at the last second, or worse, STOPPING in the #2 lane! You have saved countless accidents, and probably some lives as well. THANK YOU for your service! 🏅
@@krazyglue60 thank you for the comment
The world would be a much less interesting place without people like you. You see a problem...you solve it! Genius...and thank you!
The best part is that since it met all the requirements of an official sign, Caltrans just left it up for years.
8 years, nine months. then replaced it and added two more
One of the best performance part installations ever. Thank you for your public service, Mr. Ankrom!
A true hero!!!
That's what a Real Man does by nature. Protect, Provide and Preside!!!
Salute!!!
That’s… are you sure? I admit I haven’t been presiding, but this is all news to me
Wonderful artistry with impeccable execution. The video is so fantastic and the concept was completely nailed. Absolutely one of my favorite "living" art pieces ever! You rock.
thank you!
What I love is that he spent so much effort getting the green right for the North sign, and it doesn't match. That's because the green he researched is the MUTCD green color, and California signs use a darker green and are not standard.
We thought we were pretty bold when we could not get any signage on our dirt road and were tired of redirecting people. We ordered signs off the internet and while we were at it we added a few incorrect ones. That is; No Outlet, Private Property, No Trespassing and so on. It has really discouraged the riff raff. What you have done is provide a public service as well as an amazing work of art. Good thing the statute of limitations has run or the unions would sue you!
This was fantastic. The whole thing! The Jambi-esque head with the glowing red eyes, then the plan and the carrying out of the plan, which was genius and perfectly executed. What talent! And what a blessing you are to a lot of people because somebody had to make that sign, and it was you. By the way, Now I Know sent me here.
Thanks, Richard, you don't know how many accidents you prevented. What a stand-up Hero. Just shows how pathetic the bureaucracy is in California.
Beautiful work. Like a master. The mind of a logical person doing something extremely functional and the soul of artist in precise execution.
I met this gentleman today at the Brewery Art Walk in LA. Pretty cool story I had never heard about. Thx for your work!
thank you for visiting, will be open at the next artwalk, in about 6 months
Nice work Richard.
I like the way that the official sign designer, who made the sign to replace the sign that you "hacked", altered the design to give the I-5 exit even *better* clarity (rather than reverting to the older official sign that didn't show I-5). I would really love to know if that Caltrans designer was aware that he was basing his new sign on your "hack" or if he was fooled by your attempt to make your signs look official and old and built a sign to replace what he thought was already an approved design.
I wish the world had been able to keep a little bit of this magic. Thank you for recording the entire process-us younger people more than appreciate it!
all of the support material (sketches, script, images) have been archived and will be on display during the Brewery Artwalk Oct. 5-6 2024
Los Angeles Ca.
Not the hero we wanted, the hero we needed.
Awesome
Not all heros wear capes...some wear Safety Orange and a hard hat!
This is genius. This man is Howard Roark. And the music- the vibe- its like a Tarantino movie.
When this man was born, the doctor congratulated him for having two new parents.
....
😂😂
In Australia I learned to drive on the wrong (left) side of the road (high anxiety!) and was very thankful that their road signs are easy to understand by anyone from any country with any language! Totally simple and visual!
Gotta love the floating head with red eye catstare!
You've probably saved thousands of lives with that addition. Amazing craftsmanship in not only the sign but the videography itself
@@AWESOMO5 thank you!
I wish there was a word in my vocabulary better than brilliant! Whatever that is, it's you!
thank you
The Martin Denny music is the icing on the cake! And this could actually be the very last newly made and installed button copy sign in the USA (that's what those dots are called). Most states switched from button copy to reflective lettering in the 1990s, and the last holdout, which was Arizona, stopped installing new button copy signs in 2000.
Saw a random post about this on my Google News feed. Been past this sign many times and never knew😲 Amazing and very much appreciated 🙏👍
thank you !
BTW I-5 doesn't go through San Francisco, it does go through Sacramento. It's like a direct bypass. The way some people would think of it, you take the 580 to Oakland and then take 80 to SF, then go back on the 505 to reconnect to I-5, it's known as I-5W.
Brillant!!! Kudos to you and your entire team. I've lived here for over 30 years and never heard this story. You have helped me not miss that exit many, many times. Thank you.
Fact:
You came here right after you saw the ABC7's "LA's notoriously stealthy freeway sign artist still up to his old tricks" video.
It’s crazy this video is 11 years old… seems ahead of its time.
Good stuff👍👌
older, its was made in 2001
This story makes me incredibly happy!
Bravo! Probably many lives saved, countless accidents avoided. This guy pioneered the concept of #CustomerObsession before it became mainstream. #hatsoff for a well executed public service
I was referred to this video by "The Drive". The commentator had likened it to a David Lynch film.
I concur. The score, some of the filming style, transitions, and especially the the misaligned audio with the disembodied red eyed giant head.....amazing.
Thank you for your service.
I’m sure this brave genius has saved my life as I remember how dangerous it was to try to switch over all those lanes at the last minute. I would travel from San Diego north on the 5 but had to switch to the 110 to go home. This was surely a life saving idea back in the day. I can picture the “before “ now because it was so shocking when I realized that I had missed my exit and had to find a way back before GPS. All I had was a Thomas Guide.
thank you
I've most probably seen that sign circa 2008-2010 and I always wondered why is the arrow under the 5 sign a little off to the left but its because it was done by this great artist. If anything, this project highlights the inefficiencies of the public sector, 5 freeway connects the entire west-coast together, but at one of the most important junctions in one of the biggest cities in the planet it doesn't have proper signage. Amazing work. We need this spirit of can-do-ism everywhere
I've never driven on that highway but I thank you anyways. Your hard work had a profound impact on many people for a long time.
thank you!
Another "Now I Know" reader here! It's gratifying to see there are so many other Now I Know subscribers interested in more depth and content than the typical fire hose of talking points that inundate my mailbox. This is a remarkable initiative/undertaking by the artist. A very interesting story and one I'll long remember.
Not all heroes wear capes.
This story is so "LA". Bad freeway signs that are ambiguous or don't show exits or transitions well drive you nuts. I've driven that stretch of road many, many times and he was exactly right - the 110-to-5 transition is an odd one and if you don't know what to look for, you're going to miss it.
Imagine how fast and how many helpful signs could be generated- and documented- with modern camera phones, software, CNC machines, and such. This is a civic art project ahead of its time.
I've always wanted to install the word "bro". In the "Welcome to Glendale " sign on the 134.
The L.A. Explorer AHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAAAA
Brrro
Truly brave and amazing. I remember hearing this story just a few months after it happened while I was living in L.A.
Richard, this is so inspirational to so many of us. Real Art!
Thank you for this great service. I'm glad to see you're still around. doing what you do. Your artwork with neon lights is fantastic as well.
not in jail, or the hospital. thanks!
This man has some serious skills. Like scratching the world's largest itch. Amazing.
It's nice to see people doing good just because they can. Well done!
Wow, this is rad... I remember driving this route all the time and remember seeing this correction/new upgrade. It was great... I remember when it was gone too. I was pissed... I always wondered why Cal-trans would remove it. I had friends in a band at the Art colony at the Winery on Main Street there. They were called the Cal-transvestites...
I love the vibes. This video carries the best of the cinematic conventions of its time.
thanks. made in 2001
I LOVED THIS! Great documentation. The "Pre UA-cam" Era! Great edit. "The Drive" sent me.
This man needs to be honored for his work. As for me... mr guerrilla man... thank you
You are awesome Mr. Ankrom. I am here thanks to my University's lecture.
Ankron man, you deserve a gold medal!!!! Love it!!!!!
Funny, Caltrans didn't adopt the then current federal MUTCD, they used their own state manual. That state could learn a thing or two about signing exits, particularly on how to sign exit numbers on tabs like the rest of the country does.
To folks thinking this video is "new", Richard posted it online back in 2001-02. Still a good watch though. The modem and Netscape Communicator screen shots seem to quaint today.
Thank you for your service to our community. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Absolute legend. Live nowhere near California but this is what a truly good citizen would do.
This is surprisingly well edited. The production value is absolutely amazing. And what it achieved is even beyond that! What a hero!
Love that he went totally old school instead of computers!! Very time consuming but results were PERFECT!!
Thank you Sir for all your public projects and time
I watch this over and over & over & over...
I remember seeing that sign pop up and making my life easier heading to the job sights thank you for this amazing service
I love that you are still here answering and liking the comments. Hats off to you sir !
@@zebracherub thank you
This is so awesome that you did this!! Love it! Thank you for being considerate and doing such an awesome public service!!! Also love your attention to detail and engineering effort!
One of the greatest LA stories of all time. You're the best, Richard.
thank you!
I can’t thank UA-cam enough for leading me here.
thank you for commenting