umamimedia.com

Boring but useful tool

// January 3rd, 2009 // No Comments » // Boring Stuff

In my attempt to avoid Microsquish at all costs I started using OpenOffice a few years ago. Which does almost everything Microsoft Office does, only it’s free, and the interface hasn’t been completely destroyed. I just came across this extension for OpenOffice which allows easy forms from data when adding to spreadsheets. It’s super boring stuff of course, but very valuable. Just thought I would pass it along.

Cornelius is still a god

// October 9th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

Fit Song | Pitchfork.tv

Sensurround is the visual component to 2007′s Sensuous(Everloving).
Collaborators include Tsujikawa Kochiro, Japanese art/design collective
Groovisions & Takagi Masakatsu.

I saw Cornelius a few years ago at the Crystal Ballroom, while they were on their “Point” tour. It was one of the most amazing live shows I have ever seen. If you want to know more about the band you can go HERE
Not only was the band incredibly tight, playing a hybrid of different styles, they had a very sophisticated visual set up as well, with triggers on everything, drums vocals, guitars even. The triggers were routed to various projecters, monitors and lights. Being there was like being in a music video.
So I ran in to this music video which is absolutely incredible. Cornelius has done quite a few, so it’s hard to pick a favorite.

Catch it NOW because it’s one week only!

…Like Barry White Gargling Wasps…

// September 30th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized, sweetness

AixSponza: Red Bull F1 Singapore | Motionographer

I am a hopeless car freak…

OK, I know that it is a bit unfashionable these days to profess my completely unhealthy obsession with all things that reek of gasoline, leave little puddles, and go vroom! I’m sure that it all stems from early childhood memories of coasting down my parents long steep driveway in my Radio Flyer with my older brothers bashed up moto-x gear loosely strapped to my 8 year old frame.

Or perhaps it is because the only way I was ever able to beat anybody in a race was when there were wheels involved….

In any case, when I saw this piece by AixSponza, I was surpried that what really captured my attention wasn’t as much the cars, as it was the design. Stylishly executed in an audience appropriate style, suggestive of video game trailers, polished with a certain techno-realism that I couldn’t stop watching…..

…or maybe it’s just that I am a total car nut.

Why we love The Mill

// September 29th, 2008 // No Comments » // rant, sweetness

Im not talking about the Old Mill, although before it was an REI it was a creepy place to go and hang out from time to time. I am instead referring to These Folks. We could go on about how good they are, but really you should just go see for yourself.

Fugslig & The Mill for Acura | Motionographer

The spot they just completed for Acura is an excellent
illustration of simplicity, elegance, and aesthetic awesomeness,
coupled with mad skills. (Not to mention a hell of a budget to be sure.)

Advertising should always be at the service of the thing being sold, but there is a lot of room for a creative brain in the pursuit of that end. In Bend, or in any smaller locale, we aren’t required to have sub-par ads, but there are a number of factors that contribute this generally being the case. Don’t get me wrong, there is some excellent work coming out of this town, but it is definitely not where it COULD be.

TV ads are mostly at the whim of salespeople who “Just want to get the damn thing on the air” so they can get a commission, or the customer is in a hurry…or whatever. However, in many cases it means the creative work typically gets shorted, which is not good for the client. The spot may be up there, but it doesn’t stand out in any way. It, or the client the ad is for, certainly doesn’t get remembered, which is one of the CHIEF GOALS of a tv ad. It doesn’t communicate the essence of what a client wants people to know about them.

TV ads, like anything else, can be cookie cutter. If that is all the client can afford, that is totally understandable. Knowing what some people spend for running their ads, says generally they should spend a little more to make sure that the thing they put out there really does what it was intended for. Spending even 5 grand a month to run a spot that isn’t doing it’s job, seems like money spent unwisely.

We have had the chance to work with some excellent sales people, who realise the value of the creative process in very real economic sense for their client. We have also had some excellent clients, who realize that while they may know their business, we (Umami Media) are meant to act as a conduit between them and the public at large. These clients LOVE us, because we make them look like what they want to look like, even if they didn’t realize it when we started the process. And we LOVE these clients. They make the process an incredibly fun and profitable venture for us all.

I’ll stop typing now because I should really be WORKING…as usual. And please feel free to leave comments. There are so many talented and creative people in this town, I love it here. I’d love to see what you all think.

Feel “The Ride”

// September 24th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

King and Country has fun
via motionographer

It looks like they just made this for fun. Wow! I especially love the clouds, which sounds weird considering what was going on in the foreground. The details in the background are often not followed through on as completely. I appreciate their stick-to-it-eveness. (which should be read “Im jealous of their mad skillz)

For an interview about making it go here. Especially pay attention to the part about keeping the project going (when mostly you have to front-burner paying work).

Awesome Work

// September 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // sweetness

Psyop Rocks it hard

What can you say about these folks but…Inspiration!

Oh sweet splendid not work related website you must see!

// September 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // sweetness

FAIL Blog: Pictures and Videos of Owned, Pwnd and Fail Moments

Waste so much time here, and don’t blame me for your loss of production!

Dating Is Weird

// June 4th, 2008 // No Comments » // blogs

Dating IS weird, but I am referring to the excellent new blog I recently came across. I like funny stories about weird dating experiences, and I like good writing. Both of these things come together in Dating Is Weird blog. Feel free to post your own stories. I appreciate quality control in my blogs so watch out. If the writing is subpar you will not make it on.