Thursday I wasn't feeling good when I woke up, but I thought it would pass as the day progressed. It didn't. I tried toughing it out and faltered after the first group presented in the Fantasy Teams class. So I went home and slept. Before I did that, I sent the following email to to my evening class professor.
Subject: Tonight! Tonight! Tonight will be the night...
Body: That I won't be in class. Sorry (professor's name). The biohazard team wouldn't let me leave the building. However, I have sent my goodwill ambassador (my partner's name) to represent me. Her schizophrenia should cover us both nicely for presentation tonight.
I had great fun writing that. Now if only I could get paid for it.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
My first Baddies
I have arrived home smelling of smoke and having been butt brushed way too many times by more guys than girls. But still, I couldn't be more pleased. I meet new people and had a great time.
I'm not sure if I've covered this in a previous post, but just so you understand were I'm coming from, I'm slightly agoraphobic, so this was an overwhelming success.
Taking it from the top, this wasn't a right off the bat type move, but a gradual occurrence of events. Previously, I'd been called into Dan's office on concern of my grades. I'm not flailing around and about to drown mind you, but last quarter was less then stellar. We talked and he said, "You have to get over the fear of the wood chipper." He also mentioned that I had a formulaic writing style. That I was attacking advertising as a math problem. "In advertising, the is no one answer. There are multiple answers." He was right.
My buddy, Chris H, has been telling me for the past couple of quarters that I "needed to loosen up." My partner Jes succinctly said that I "had a stick of half lit dynamite up (my) ass." And tonight Shana said, "Sometimes it feels like you're trying too hard." They're all right.
But that's why I went tonight. Sure, I don't drink or smoke, but I had an awesome time meeting new people and hanging out with old friends. I even got into the spirit of the baddies by writing some horrible ads. One for sticky title floors and the other for an alternative use for Smuckers. I don't know if anyone read them, but if they did, I hope they got a good chuckle.
Shana, a personal thanks to you. Without knowing that I had at least one view from someone other than myself, I would have probably dumped this whole blog. We all need a creative outlet other than our work and this is one of mine.
Personal note: Alot of people came up to me and asked if I drank. The answer is no. Yeah, my religion says stuff against drinking, but it's not a rule, just a health guideline. But that's not the reason. I have an addictive personality, so I don't want to risk it. Plus, I've seen how stupid people get on the stuff. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it or that I'll think any differently of you if you do, I'm just saying it's not for me.
I'm not sure if I've covered this in a previous post, but just so you understand were I'm coming from, I'm slightly agoraphobic, so this was an overwhelming success.
Taking it from the top, this wasn't a right off the bat type move, but a gradual occurrence of events. Previously, I'd been called into Dan's office on concern of my grades. I'm not flailing around and about to drown mind you, but last quarter was less then stellar. We talked and he said, "You have to get over the fear of the wood chipper." He also mentioned that I had a formulaic writing style. That I was attacking advertising as a math problem. "In advertising, the is no one answer. There are multiple answers." He was right.
My buddy, Chris H, has been telling me for the past couple of quarters that I "needed to loosen up." My partner Jes succinctly said that I "had a stick of half lit dynamite up (my) ass." And tonight Shana said, "Sometimes it feels like you're trying too hard." They're all right.
But that's why I went tonight. Sure, I don't drink or smoke, but I had an awesome time meeting new people and hanging out with old friends. I even got into the spirit of the baddies by writing some horrible ads. One for sticky title floors and the other for an alternative use for Smuckers. I don't know if anyone read them, but if they did, I hope they got a good chuckle.
Shana, a personal thanks to you. Without knowing that I had at least one view from someone other than myself, I would have probably dumped this whole blog. We all need a creative outlet other than our work and this is one of mine.
Personal note: Alot of people came up to me and asked if I drank. The answer is no. Yeah, my religion says stuff against drinking, but it's not a rule, just a health guideline. But that's not the reason. I have an addictive personality, so I don't want to risk it. Plus, I've seen how stupid people get on the stuff. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it or that I'll think any differently of you if you do, I'm just saying it's not for me.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
We are a kick ass crew
So one year of ad school has past. 4 quarters at the circus and my brain is about to explode from all the information that has been crammed into it. Quarter 1 was all about getting into the flow of the work load and thinking about the what all goes into making an ad. Quarter 2 was the laying of the ground work for the future, working in teams. Quarter 3 was about pushing the boundaries (at least for me), going beyond the safe zone. To stop mimicking what I had seen and start to make something new. Quarter 4 was about the simplification of ideas, introducing products and simple benefits.
Panel went as expected. Some of the pieces I took in were a joke and others were filler. I know I might get knocked for that, but I wanted to show them that I worked hard, even though I might have spread myself thin.
The website I designed was a bust. Mainly because due to the lack of framing and clear navigation. That and it really didn't sell a product, one of the basic rules of advertising.
TV spot was a stretch. It didn't demonstrate how Rockports were "Tough shoes for Tough times".
Artex ELT was a toss up. They liked the basic concept behind the tag "Change how the story ends" but the body copy read different.
Nutella was a panel bust, but I knew it was wrong. We were coming at it from the angle that we were introducing what the product was to the people and not the experience of it, per our professor's suggestion. Should of gone with the experience. What I envisioned was a Ferrer Roche "Gods" ad. The experience of food is greater than the benefit of food.
Comodynes tanning was beautifully art directed, but they didn't love the line. The line wasn't perfect, I agree.
Sumo had one win out of three. They didn't like the concept of preparation, but they wanted to see how life would change when it was already in your possession.
Puma was the hit of the evening. No surprise. The line was rockin' and so was the art direction.
I think that covers the main points. Already, I can tell that my writing has gone on break. My mind isn't forming sentences clearly and I feel that anyone who reads this will be stumbling over my words, as they hardly flow.
Note to future ad students: Never, I repeat, never take a professor's concept. Especially one that has been in the field for 10+ years. It's our job to come with something new and exciting. They are there to guide us. Not direct us. Listen to what they have to say about copy and art direction. Listen to their suggestions and weigh them. Eventually you'll get to the point where you know in your heart, gut, or head what makes a good ad and what should be burned.
I am kind of hard on myself for this quarter. I had two weeks prior to the last week where I was just completely out of the loop and didn't really write. I should always write. Write and refine. I came down to the last week and spent hours firing off lines to my ADs and they came out crap because I didn't take the time to refine them.
There is a part of me that claims that it was a social experiment. I had spent prior quarters working, refining endlessly and felt that I was talking in a snooty, over educated tone. This quarter I tried not to overthink and just write.I guess that's all well and good, as long as that "under"thinking also has time to be refined. Even the common man has an appreciation for clear communication.
After panel, a group of us copywriters hit Taco Mac and reviewed the past quarter and the past year. Topics ranged from haircuts to favorite memories to the random gossip of the school. And even though I don't drink, it was nice to get out with a small group. So here's to you Adam (Action) J, Adam (AE) Elijah, Erin C, and Ash C. It was walking through the parking garage, en mass and then breaking off, that I realized that we're a kick ass crew.
Panel went as expected. Some of the pieces I took in were a joke and others were filler. I know I might get knocked for that, but I wanted to show them that I worked hard, even though I might have spread myself thin.
The website I designed was a bust. Mainly because due to the lack of framing and clear navigation. That and it really didn't sell a product, one of the basic rules of advertising.
TV spot was a stretch. It didn't demonstrate how Rockports were "Tough shoes for Tough times".
Artex ELT was a toss up. They liked the basic concept behind the tag "Change how the story ends" but the body copy read different.
Nutella was a panel bust, but I knew it was wrong. We were coming at it from the angle that we were introducing what the product was to the people and not the experience of it, per our professor's suggestion. Should of gone with the experience. What I envisioned was a Ferrer Roche "Gods" ad. The experience of food is greater than the benefit of food.
Comodynes tanning was beautifully art directed, but they didn't love the line. The line wasn't perfect, I agree.
Sumo had one win out of three. They didn't like the concept of preparation, but they wanted to see how life would change when it was already in your possession.
Puma was the hit of the evening. No surprise. The line was rockin' and so was the art direction.
I think that covers the main points. Already, I can tell that my writing has gone on break. My mind isn't forming sentences clearly and I feel that anyone who reads this will be stumbling over my words, as they hardly flow.
Note to future ad students: Never, I repeat, never take a professor's concept. Especially one that has been in the field for 10+ years. It's our job to come with something new and exciting. They are there to guide us. Not direct us. Listen to what they have to say about copy and art direction. Listen to their suggestions and weigh them. Eventually you'll get to the point where you know in your heart, gut, or head what makes a good ad and what should be burned.
I am kind of hard on myself for this quarter. I had two weeks prior to the last week where I was just completely out of the loop and didn't really write. I should always write. Write and refine. I came down to the last week and spent hours firing off lines to my ADs and they came out crap because I didn't take the time to refine them.
There is a part of me that claims that it was a social experiment. I had spent prior quarters working, refining endlessly and felt that I was talking in a snooty, over educated tone. This quarter I tried not to overthink and just write.I guess that's all well and good, as long as that "under"thinking also has time to be refined. Even the common man has an appreciation for clear communication.
After panel, a group of us copywriters hit Taco Mac and reviewed the past quarter and the past year. Topics ranged from haircuts to favorite memories to the random gossip of the school. And even though I don't drink, it was nice to get out with a small group. So here's to you Adam (Action) J, Adam (AE) Elijah, Erin C, and Ash C. It was walking through the parking garage, en mass and then breaking off, that I realized that we're a kick ass crew.
Sometimes, if not most of the time, failure is the best teacher
One of good friends didn't have an absolute rocking panel and that was part of the discussion at Taco Mac. When we questioned why we didn't help him out when we saw it coming, there were a couple of answers we came up with. First, we didn't know how to flag it down. After all, the professors loved the idea and the writer believed in it. Second, sometimes it's good to fail.
We didn't say the second part out of smite, but rather knowing it's better to fail in a teaching environment before getting out into his career. It'll make the writer a stronger creative in the long run and that's what we want for him.
We didn't say the second part out of smite, but rather knowing it's better to fail in a teaching environment before getting out into his career. It'll make the writer a stronger creative in the long run and that's what we want for him.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Never be afraid to admit wrong
It's pretty late and I should get to bed, but I keep looking over my writing and spotting typos and grammatical errors. I'm sure there's even a couple in here, but they'll have to be save for a later time.
"Write while your on fire. Edit when you have cooled off." - Tru'Zen (I'm sure I'm stealing this from someone else)
"Write while your on fire. Edit when you have cooled off." - Tru'Zen (I'm sure I'm stealing this from someone else)
I speek good engrish
First of all, no, I am not making a stereotypical joke but rather acknowledging that it's out there and applying it to my circumstance.
------ Real post ------
I am full America. 100%, born in SoCal, lived in Michigan, studied in TN and GA. Granted my mom is Filipino, but all that was ever spoken at home was English, except when she was on the phone to her relatives. So what's wrong with my English? I am sure I am one of many people who often times write "their" when what they really mean is "they're". And it happens with other similar sounding words. It's no fault of the education system, it's just that my brain wants to communicate faster than the rest of me. My girlfriend made me aware of this fact when she pointed out that sometimes I stutter. I'm not self conscience about it, but rather more self aware now. It's a little frustrating when you have a lot to say with hardly the capacity to say it all with the meaning and emotion that you want to convey.
------ Real post ------
I am full America. 100%, born in SoCal, lived in Michigan, studied in TN and GA. Granted my mom is Filipino, but all that was ever spoken at home was English, except when she was on the phone to her relatives. So what's wrong with my English? I am sure I am one of many people who often times write "their" when what they really mean is "they're". And it happens with other similar sounding words. It's no fault of the education system, it's just that my brain wants to communicate faster than the rest of me. My girlfriend made me aware of this fact when she pointed out that sometimes I stutter. I'm not self conscience about it, but rather more self aware now. It's a little frustrating when you have a lot to say with hardly the capacity to say it all with the meaning and emotion that you want to convey.
I will not become an advertising god
I recognize that there is a vast amount of talent all around me and I can see people going far here at the Circus and farther in their careers, but honestly, I'm not going to be one of them. Not that I don't want to work hard and get far in the business, but I doubt that I will become a career god. I will not be a Bernbach, Burnett, Ogilvy, Saatchi, or Chiat and that's not negative thinking folks. It's just not what I want out of this life. So many people think that their careers are their lives, but that's not how I want to live mine. I want to be a good husband first, a loving father second and an upstanding citizen third. It's may seem like idealistic 1950's crap and maybe that's why often times I feel like I've been born in the wrong century. We've gone from a society of men who carry pictures of their kids to ones that check their stock every 5 minutes. I'm making the choice to be the former.
"“Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant” - PT Barnum
"“Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant” - PT Barnum
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