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Took a field trip to D2V (Digital 2 Video) in Hollywood. This exclusive print house prints a majority of their work for entertainment, automotive, and POP. Their process is phenomenal and the work they’ve done for the entertainment industry is outrageous. They can print on practically everything for anything and their rep, John, was gracious enough to show us around. So the next time you see ads on bus stops, buses, atop high buildings in Hollywood, around movie theaters and such–it probably came from this place.
I recently took a field trip for Copy Concepts to the Museum of Jurassic Technology and later that day, Royal T. Both were located on the ultra-hip tip of Culver City aka as part of the “West Side” of Los Angeles. Yes kiddies, even when you’re on the Wesside, there is still a ‘West Side’.
The Museum of Jurassic Technology is a faux museum, meaning that everything on display is fake. That’s right kiddies–FAKE! Nothing is real. Going in there, one wouldn’t think so given that the entire place is littered with intricate biographies, video and descriptions on each display. There are a few creepy parts, as the museum can take on a sort of super-natural or paranormal feel. But have no fear.
Royal T is a hip Japanese cafe / art collection nearby. It features some work from Murakami (the owner is a BIG fan) and other works. Inside, you’ll find a hip cafe where all the waitresses are dressed Harajuku. I have a friend that would LOOOOOOOOOOVE to come here. The collections are rad and the food and service kicks.
I had uber fun hanging out with my class and roaming ‘See-City’ like tourists. Here’s are some of the picts I snapped along the way.
I attended a film-major talk this Wednesday at the LAT in which the guest speaker was none other than Josh Brolin. Although at first I was not taken back by his immediate star power, I was blown away by the body of work he had encompassed as of late. I was soon swooned after seeing his reel, realizing that this guy might have some real talent. Sure, he hasn’t been the Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt along the way, but if his recent work in No Country For Old Men, W., and Milk doesn’t give him an Oscar nod along the way, I would be deeply disappointed.
Brolin seemed like the genuine article, an admitted theater and film geek keenly in-tuned with his acting craft. He was very candid and very direct in his feelings of his upcoming directorial debut.
Here’s a clip from a little known advertising movie entitled Crazy People and probably my first instance of running into advertising that I could remember. The premise of the film is that an advertising exec, played by Dudley Moore, hits his breaking point when he actually uses honesty in the client’s advertising. He’s admitted into a mental institution in which all the patients help him to concept even greater advertising. He falls in love along the way, yada yada and advertising saves the world once again. How the ad campaigns got by without the clients approval I can’t remember, but it’s a funny movie anyway. Plus, it’s quite funny to me that as misleading all ads seem to be–good ads are quite honest. Another thing about this movie that I appreciate is the idea that advertisers are somewhat crazy, which is true. How else do you think we come up with those brilliant ideas? Okay, maybe this movie goes WAAAAAAY off the edge with the ideas, but you gotta know how far you can go before you know how close you can come. Anyway, still makes a funny movie. There’s a classic line that I’ll always remember in a pitch to Sony in the movie which goes something like this,”Sony. Bony.”
Check out the clip for yourself and rent it for the best night of Dudley Moore since Arthur II.
In honor of Kanye’s win at the AMA’s, I’m posting his Absolut commercials. Not that they’re especially good or anything but rather he’s money, and I’m sure to get at least FIVE hits just tagging his name on the blog. GYEAH! To be honest, the spots are pretty self-centered which is perfect the Kanye steelo. No hate. But I do think the execution could have been pushed more. Here’s two I found. Is there only two? Enjoy.
So I just watched Zeitgeist Addendum, the part two to the infamous Zeitgeist: The Movie. If you haven’t watched this, you now can on the embedded video above. Or go to: http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com and just follow the links.
The movie sucks and sets you up on the notion that everything should be product based instead of monetarily. SHAAA RIGHT. I make a living convincing you peons to buy shit you do not need! Viva la capitalism bitches!!!
But for real, it is a good idea. Too bad the world won’t change because YOU need the greed.
My friend sent this ad to me (Thanks Christine!); The latest gem from Wieden + Kennedy UK. Honda Civic X Choir. Play the commercial to know what I’m talking about. Enjoy.
I had History of Advertising today and this commercial came up. This is one of my favorite classes and I’m slowly getting the idea that Advertising hasn’t relatively been around for very long, only about 40 years or so. So we are actually living in an era whilst this form of business is evolving. The era that was lectured today was the 1970s through the 1980s into the early 1990s. This was an era known for mass domestic and worldwide economic growth. The ads of the age reflected the times as a new market of “upper class” was born in this economic boom. Also, regulation was lifted on comparative advertising meaning that ads could now compare “side-by-side” with other competitors. This ad in particular came up as Barry, my instructor, told us that he knew one of the dancers in the commercial. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to revisit this classic ad. Notice the type! Enjoy.
These next few weeks are going to be extremely busy for me. As far as I’m concerned, for majority of my classes, class is now done. The only thing left to do really is the final project. It’s going to be a lot of work in the next couple of weeks. It might even break me. I’ll try to blog my experiences if I have time, but honestly, I might not have the time. It would be a waste of good experiences it I didn’t! But I’ll try to get to it if I can. I’m already thinking of utilizing the YRBK as a means of showing my work for Design 2 and other classes so far. I haven’t even posted any work from my previous term as of yet! So THAT is how busy I get. Plus, when the end of term comes, I’m so exhausted that I just don’t wanna work anymore.
Self-explanatory if you’ve ever taken Koji Takei’s class. Enjoy!
What do a Viking, a Greek, a Pilgrim, a Polynesia Warrior, and an English Noble have in common? Why, SNICKERS silly! Here it is, the entire Snickers Feast campaign courtesy of the wackos at TBWA/Chiat Day:
It’s so funny to think that because of the hectic schedule of school that I got into running. And despite the stresses of daily ACCD life, I’m running in my first run this weekend. I’m pretty excited that I’m going to be running, and nervous, I guess. haha But it’s all to the good and hopefully by this time next week I’ll have my first medal. Hopefully this will lead to more runs–10k, half-marathon, perhaps even a full marathon one day! For now, its enough of an achievement for me as this same time last year I was in the process of quitting smoking. Things have changed quite a bit and perhaps its a sign of good things.
I’m not exactly sure what the hell this is yet. But Lexus has taken a big slide forward by providing video content on the net. This beta project called the “L Studio” features original films, video shorts, and more about various subject matter. I don’t see the connection to Lexus yet, but the videos are quite unique. I did catch a Lexus plug in on of the videos about fashion, so I’m pretty sure that Lexus is sponsoring these in one form or another.
Check it out for your self at: http://lstudio.lexus.com
Disney inspired art going down at the Continental Gallery. I don’t know any of these artist yet but I’m sure they’re talented. What does this have to do with Advertising? In some ways absolutely nothing; still in other ways, more than one would expect.
This is a huge risk for Disney in merchandising their company as re-brandable. I applaud them for their courage. The Warhol-ian notion of pop icons as a reflex of society itself is a leap forward and Disney has the funding to make their beloved Mickey still, well, cool.
Either way, who really gives a shit as long as the bar is open and chicks are there, right? SHAAAAA!!!!
More midterm project from students. Highly talented pieces. Check out some of these works from the Illustration / Fine Art Dept.
Signed up for the Pasadena Marathon on November 16th. My first 5K run. I know it’s no biggie compared to a 10K, half or full marathon, but its a start. A good start. Until then I’ll be in training. I’m so excited…CANT WAIT!!!
For more information about the Pasadena Marathon, click to : http://www.pasadenamarathon.org
