Animation and advertising agency Psyop caught our attention a few years ago with their incredible “Crow” promotion for MTV HD. One of those clips that could be viewed numerous times, spotting some new details each time in what felt like a dream sequence. So it was no surprise when they has again captured this dream sequence feel with their UPS spot titled “Storm.” Visuals are well paced, finely rendered – the sea alone is fluidly demand repeat views – and cardboard has a bit more action attached to it now as well. What Can Brown Do For You? Apparently in Pysop’s able, creative hands, plenty. Just the idea of a cardboard reality is creative, fun, and on target with UPS’s brand, bravo Pysop.
You can also check out its campaign siblings “Gladiator” and “West”, as well as an interview with the creators.
Filed under: Greensboro, MadMonk Projects, North Carolina, Video/MoGraph
synerG is an active organization of young adults who lead initiatives with the mission to attract, engage and connect young professionals to Greensboro, North Carolina. There is social and professional networking as well as leadership opportunities. It was a pleasure to work with Action Greensboro and get to know many of synerG’s volunteer leaders and participants. We filmed at numerous events to capture stories and glimpses of the energy that keeps it getting broader and more exciting. For their YP Sports program, one expects basketball, softball and the like, but who knew adults also play organized kickball and dodgeball? We even learned that two people who met on the dodge ball court actually ended up getting married!
Our efforts eventually formed into two projects: A redesigned website and an eWelcome Flash microsite that features videos of each of synerG’s initiatives and five facets of Greensboro Living. Additional footage found it’s way into the website in the form of a “Downtown Living” segment, and a few YP video profiles.
Learn more: First get immersed in the synerG eWelcome, and then visit their website to learn more. See for yourself – check out their events and attend synerG events that fit you.
Filed under: Video/MoGraph
Old news yes, but interesting work can stand the test of time. These Toronto video billboards were projected on different buildings throughout downtown Toronto (Quicktime required) between December 6th and 29th, 2007. They were created for Fido, a Canadian mobile provider. Strategically placed, ads like these demand attention. Two videos, relatively nearby, interacting with one another. Although it’s obviously commercial, the novelty and unexpected experience probably garners positive emotional responses and less cynicism then a straight, traditional billboard does. Web 2.0 + outdoor advertising.
The projection was performed by Media Merchants in British Columbia.
We at MadMonk have a great affinity to 3D modeling and animation work. We actually try to work it into any project, be it delivered digitally or through print, when appropriate, trying to satisfy our inner-Pixar. That said, a MadMonk teammate passed along this Hellgate: London / Intel clip and of course, it’s modeling, humor, and memorability give it high marks. What I thought interesting were some of the comments below the video, showcasing again how online forums move people. Someone said ” So I guess if you’re from hell, you have a British accent. Interesting.” upon which someone mentions that ” The game’s called ‘Hellgate: London‘.” Again, things are deeper than they first seem. (Game by San Francisco based Flagship Studios.)
In a recent IM session with another teammate about this commercial, we reflected about zombies’ place in culture (mainly film) and recalled how deep some films’ social commentary actually goes. A classic example is George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. Considering today’s frenetic pacing, polished camera work, and incredible special effects, NoTLD feels archaic. But put an ol’ college try on it and it’s incredible how the genre was developed in a 1960s struggling with social, race and gender movements, the Vietnam War, publicity (and practice of) various religious cults, and the cyclical urgencies around the End of Days beliefs. No surprise NoTLD was entered into the United States National Film Registry with other films deemed “historically, culturally or aesthetically important.”
“Current & the Alliance for Climate Protection are looking for creative and provocative ecospots; very short video messages that will drive your friends, community or government to get involved in solving the climate crisis…”
A few years ago (while with Spin Communications in Greensboro, NC), we developed a short campaign for Wrangler called “You Call The Shots” where, like similar user-generated promotions, some samples are posted for reference, some materials you can use are posted, and winners are eventually chosen. Fairly common (as exhibited through big names like Chevy’s SuperBowl Challenge and winning spot “Car Wash” and Frito Lay’s SuperBowl Challenge winning spot “Live The Flavor.”
This one of course is less about selling jeans, cars, & chips, but a cause. Assuming that the prizes are donated for the cause, it’s fairly encouraging that such methods of promotion are now being used directly for human campaigns (unlike the back door where Chevy was given plenty of “anti-Chevy” ad spots by protesting applicants). Although just a small effort for further P.R. about Global Warming, advocates could look at it as a worthy endeavor, potentially engaging even more of the general tech public. And those that believe Global Warming to be a hoax, well, at least this is the “free market at work” as are the wave of green corporatism we’re increasingly seeing in media (including the cover story of the Sept. 2007 edition of Fast Company). History and science will eventually look back and document the facts, but for now, I look forward to seeing the winning spots.
Filed under: Video/MoGraph
“Cleanliness is a determining factor in our well-being and vitality. This awareness is leading to a revolution on how we think of personal hygiene.” So says ToTo, creators of the Washlet toilet seat. Cleansing, warm air dryer, air purifier automated & heated seat, all operational through a remote control. Of course the subject the product addresses is memorable in itself, but it’s the site that had staying power in my mind. When I helped service the Georgia Pacific bath tissue accounts a couple of years ago (Quilted Northern, Angel Soft) it was obvious we were working with a project we couldn’t demonstrate in use and with this in mind, this Washlet site’s use of video, interaction, and demonstration clips do well in demystifying the product and make the topic less uncomfortable. Unlike the Philips/Norelco BodyGroom 2006 site (that pushed humor more aggressively), in its messaging, the Washlets site is lighthearted yet direct.
Yes, we all know the Got Milk campaigns where celebrities of some stripe sport the milk mustache. It just keeps on going and going (and I imagine, to most of us, it’s still okay). But fun rules on this “gravity” commercial for Milk that caught my eye recently. (The guy in the fountain is a personal favorite.) Targeting Spanish speakers, this campaign tells wild stories about why milk is most important in daily life. This level of production value isn’t surprising considering how quickly the hispanic population (and purchasing power) is rising in the United States.
Using the well-known “Oh Yeah” song, this multimedia show for Steve Wynn’s Lake of Dreams Vegas theater is funky, but touches on various art movements and for whatever reasons, reminded me of various past video work, from Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” to the 1980s Max Headroom to an old Hans Richter 1926 experimental short simply called “1926 Film Study”. Our eternal fascination with portaits and self-portraits, statements of our society and selves.
One of the refreshing things of attending shows like ad:tech is hearing (in person) leaders in our field(s) speak passionately about what we do and therefore, inspire folks like me to continue to press forward and demand more of ourselves. At the 2005 ad:tech show, Guy Kawasaki was one such catalyst when he spoke passionately about his reasons for and select points from his book, The Art of the Start. He further pushed me to seriously consider starting MadMonk Interactive.
Now as I eye the fourther quarter of MadMonk year one, it was refreshing at the 2006 ad:tech to hear David Lubars, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer, BBDO North America speak about past work success and his and his team’s fearlessness when it comes to the pursuing creative strategies that connect using whatever mediums fit. Thanks to Mr. Lubars, I can repeat “Our boss is the work” as my arms point upwards/upstream, implying that the pursuit of ideas that hold strategy and creativity to high standards is a noble endeavor.
Here are some of the buzz-worthy campaigns reviewed during Mr. Lubars’ session:
Dodge Caliber – Pig and Bear Get Taken for a Ride
Snickers “Instant Def” (with the Black Eye Peas)
This Chevy contest is aimed at building brand affinity in younger drivers, college students to be exact. Teams of three college students each can register on their Chevy Super Bowl College Ad Challenge promotional site and get working on concepting TV ads for Chevrolet’s new lineup of cars and crossovers, specifically the Aveo, Cobalt, HHR, and Equinox (read their press release). Five finalist teams will present their ideas to Chevy executives in Detroit. The winning idea will get professional collaboration and the final commercial will air during Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007.
Following the Chevy Super Bowl Ad contest entry, this debate comes up every January. What gets more discussion the day after, the actual game or the high-profile commercials? How about a trip down memory lane. This AOL Sports video page features the most classic of all Super Bowl commercials, including the #1 of the bunch, Apple’s 1984. Don’t take my word for it, ESPN editors ranked it #1 too. ESPN readers however ranked it #4 with E*trade’s Monkey their top choice.
Through the animated birth of a Cig Egret, this PSA reminds that the cigarette (representing all human trash) is not native to the California coast. The :30 spot urges people to participate in the California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 16. (Requires Quicktime Player, need it?) Pretty nice animation work. Although for CA’s campaign, it reminds me of all our public places. Just this evening, we went to the Bog Garden right here in Greensboro to feed ducks, turtles, fish and watch the other critters when our older son noticed litter in the creek, later in the bushes. Not terrible levels, but nevertheless, unneccessary. Alright, personal observations aside, the PSA was Created by Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Stardust Studios.
Yes, we’ve seen these ads, reminding us that Macintosh and PC are different computing animals altogether. What I’ve found entertaining is how seriously folks take their computers, as a source of their identity. In an L.A. Times interview, Mac Guy Justin Long mentioned “I had a guy come up to me, in my face, saying, ‘You think you’re so cool? You’re not cool’ and I’m saying to him, ‘Dude, it’s a commercial.’” On the other side of the fence, John Hodgman, on the Daily Show, mentions the Apple ads while telling us “in G.E.D. terms what Net Neutrality really is.” And of course, if you haven’t seen the Apple ads, you can check them out on Apple’s site.
