The fact that so many A-list actors, directors and writers work on HBO projects proves the network’s creative culture is a breath of fresh air for these people. Because HBO’s bread is buttered directly by subscribers instead of advertisers their original content can tackle more controversial (read: more interesting) topics. That same empowering culture is […]
Both of these animated shorts are funny, inspired and interesting. But I think only one of them features outstanding soundtrack choice: Example 1 Example 2 Animators pour a great deal of energy into storyboarding, sketching, modeling & texturing. So much, evidently, that other creative senses can sometimes atrophy. I can certainly relate. As a music […]
Let’s assume you are a creative professional being compensated to create a video for a client. Let’s also assume your client will NOT be broadcasting the video on television nor distributing it on DVD, but WILL be distributing the video on the internet (their website, YouTube etc), presenting it at meetings and even showing it […]
In the previous installment of this blog series, I provided examples of what researcher Dan Levitin suggests are three types of songs that are not just important to us personally, but important from the standpoint of human evolution. In his book, The World in Six Songs (2009 Penguin Press), Levitin makes that case that human […]
In his 2008 book The World in Six Songs (2009 The Penguin Group), researcher Daniel J. Levitin creates a fascinating thread that connects findings in neuroscience, physiology, evolution theory, and anthropology. He suggests that your love of music speaks to something deeper in your DNA than the moment you discovered your parents’ record collection. A […]
Check out this State Farm commercial targeted towards an African-American demographic. http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/tvfilm/8966 Synopsis: These types of commercials are sometimes referred to as “image” spots. They do not convey specific information (prices, awards, products) but rather combine music and visuals together in a collage and associate that brand with the experience. This music video features a […]
The History Channel has added a new visual element to their logo they call a “propel”. This promo spot, directed by Adam Levite at Ghost Robot Productions, features a re-make of a 1957 Buddy Holly song “Everyday”: http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/tvfilm/9141 Synopsis: Grizzled factory workers (live action) manufacture countless “propels” on giant machinery. Scenes of red triangles riding […]
Check out this absolutely hilarious ad for the Toyota Sienna SE Minivan: This is just one in a series of spots created by Saatchi and Saatchi, Toyota’s ad agency featuring a suburban family of four that have dubbed themselves “the best parents ever.” Throughout the campaign, actors Brian Huskey and Rachel Drummond give a deadpan […]
Check out how this Super Bowl ad by Google gets so much emotional mileage out of a dead-simple piano track: The Behind-The-Scenes Story: Around 2009, Google Creative Labs decided to produce a YouTube video campaign featuring vignettes about people’s lives. The challenge was to accomplish this by showing only Google searches. They bid the creative […]