Inspired by...Fame

OUT HERE ON MY OWN
BY IRENE CARA



Some of you may be too young to remember this film, some of you may not be. I happen to be part of the latter group having seen this film in tenth grade. I believe I went to see it at what was then the UA Theatre on Victory Boulevard near Laurel Canyon in the San Fernando Valley. I remember dreaming of going to the High School of Performing Arts after this movie came out.

If you remember this film, hopefully this clip will bring you fond memories, as it did for me. If you've never heard this song before, I hope this find will bring you closer to knowing one of my favorite films as a teenager and the music from Fame.


Enjoy!

Source: YouTube

Not A 'YES' Man

Is saying 'YES' to everyone else's idea part of
being a better art director? Or should you own
and convey your professional opinion?

Recently, I had someone say to me, 'I see you're not a 'yes' man.' And I replied, 'isn't that a good thing?' After all, some people would say that 'yes' men can't be trusted.

Over a year ago, I came across a question someone had posted on LinkedIn in staffing and recruiting under corporate governance about “yes” men and whether or not that type of person could be trusted? And I thought to myself, "in a city where there are so many good art directors and graphic designers are out of a job or looking for new clients to add to their roster, is it important to always say “yes” to a client or boss’ every whim just to earn a buck?” I’m not talking about a serious, reputation-threatening type of whim where there is a lot at stake and the wrong decision could actually cost jobs and/or dollars. I’m talking about the type of whim when you are on a tight deadline, a tight budget and a short rope, when suddenly, someone comes over and asks, “hey, what do you think about this?”

I’m always thinking about ways to be a better art director, but is saying “yes” to everyone else's idea part of being a better art director? Think about it. If you are paying me for my creative expertise, why would you want me to say 'yes' to whatever comes out of your mouth in terms of a creative idea or direction? Wouldn't it be best for me to give you my honest opinion first, then reassess the creative?

When it comes to advertising, branding and creating art, I can honestly say that I am NOT a “yes” man. I don’t just say, “yes, I love it” simply because someone else thinks I should. I have my own style, and it is without a doubt, very commercial. If you are hiring me, I hope you have seen my work and know that I will apply my style to your project or vision and will always produce at film studio level.

Finding that balance between giving your client or your boss what they want and keeping your artistic vision, means knowing the right questions to ask and the right way to ask them. For example, I recently had a client mark up a proof with what I thought would end up as a strange-looking design edit, so I had to stop and ask my client what they are trying to accomplish by requesting that change? Either, I will get a clear specific answer that I can interpret and, hopefully, turn into something genius or I will hear the dreaded, “I don’t know what I want, but I know what I don’t want.” If you hear the latter, run. That person will never be happy because they will never know what it is they want.

To me, the difference between a “yes” man and a person trying to get the best creative possible in the time allotted, is exactly the difference between an account executive and an art director. An account executive will always tell the client “yes,” when it is the art director’s job to play “therapist” and start asking the real questions. Questions that could potentially give an art director the reputation of being a “diva” or “prima donna,” so be careful who and how you ask.

Ultimately, what good does a “yes” man do for any client or department at the art director level? In that case, why would you need an art director, at all? Wouldn’t a production artist due?

The New New 2011/12 Polar Bear Coca-Cola Can

Coca-cola changed its original holiday can design from white to red
in order to calm the public's perception that the formula had been changed
along with the can, itself. 

Who says there's no power in a single color, design and/or brand? When Coca-Cola launched it's original holiday can design (right) there was a backlash of complaints that the formula actually tasted different. So, Coca-Cola did what any large, corporate company would do to please their customers – they changed it.

What began as a way to bring awareness and funds to polar bears turned into a frenzy about Coke vs. Diet Coke and whether or not Coca-Cola changed its original formula when they changed the look of the can for this campaign.

For the record, I like the original new can better than the new new can and never did I mistake it for Diet Coke.

[Stupid] Consumers say Coke and Diet Coke cans should be polar opposites – ABCNews.com

Weekend Movie Review: Mission Impossible

Lisa and I on Friday before
New Years. What a fun day!

GHOST PROTOCOL

Recently, I had the pleasure of the spending the Friday before New Years with my friend, Lisa. Something we rarely have the time to do anymore – she is the mother of two boys, a wife, a sister and a daughter. So, when we do get the opportunity to spend some time together, it's a rare treat.

Wanting to make the most of our afternoon together, we decided that we would meet at her home in Burbank, go to an early-bird movie for only $6, then to Islands for a cheap, but always delicious and fun, lunch. And, we had a great afternoon.

Deciding on what movie to see was not easy. There we several films we were both open to seeing. But in the end, we both agreed on the latest Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol with Mr. Tom Cruise. You see, I am a huge fan of the MIssion Impossible franchise, beginning with the television series reruns I would watch as a kid, and the new ones are really cool, too.

The new installment of the popular series begins with action and doesn't stop until the end – and not even then. It's a ride around the world and to the top of one of the world's tallest skyscraper in Dubai. My palms were literally sweating while I was watching most of the film. There's a reason this film has been doing so well at the box office – it's well-written, well-acted, action-packed, full of adventure and even the right amount of comedy. I feel as though I got my money's worth – and then some.

If you're a Mission Impossible fan, you won't want to miss it. If not, you'll probably like it, anyway. It's that much fun to watch.

Inspired by...Hot Wheels

'71 MAVERICK GRABBER

Okay, I'm on a roll. This is only my second Hot Wheels  and I'm already loving collecting them. I even remember the florescent orange tracks with the purple track-connectors from the early 1970s from when I was a kid. Does anyone else remember those tracks?

Don't ask me why or how, but it makes me feel like a kid again to have these. I don't think I will ever actually play with them – I'm not that crazy!

Portfolio Review: The Sentient

This is the final poster I designed for Quincy Pictures, The Sentient –
a Terminator-meets-Bourne Identity action/thriller.

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with Quincy Pictures on their first release called, The Sentient – a short film that they hope to turn into a feature length project. The ten-minute short is the brainchild of writer/director Gabriel Scott and is a Terminator-meets-Bourne Identity action/thriller that is now online for public viewing.

Working with Gabriel was a terrific process. He knew what he liked on the first round of comps and working with him was a breeze. Thank you, Gabriel Scott and Quincy Pictures, for hiring me to design the poster for such an important project. I hope we can work together again in the near future.



The final poster was only one of many original designs we came up with for this film (shown above). Other designs not chosen are available for private viewing on my website under 'New In 2011' with a password to enter the gallery. If you are a current or potential client and would like to view the other designs, please contact me for a password.

To view other original work, please visit, Joseph-Rey.com.

For more information about The Sentient, please visit the Quincy Pictures website at www.QuincyPics.com.

What I've been cooking...Chicken Caesar Salad

This is my easy, breezy chicken caesar salad – for artists on the go.

As a working artist, making dinner quickly is sometimes more important than how good it is for me. Sometimes, you end up working late, you get home and you just want to eat – not cook. But just because it's quick doesn't mean it has to be bad for you. I like to cook ahead of time which I learned from my friend, Robert, and I like to cook with little to no sodium which I learned from my room mate, Jeff. And, I love to season things with lots of fresh ground pepper. 

EASY, BREEZY CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

First, I start with my oven-baked, garlic covered chicken breasts (see 'What I've been cooking...Chicken Salad). I slice up a chicken breast – because I make more than one-at-a-time – I wash, rinse and dry some romaine or green leaf lettuce, I sprinkle on some shaved parmesan cheese, croutons and the coup de grace is Girard's Caesar Salad dressing...OMG! It's the best ever. (Not the lowest in sodium...but it's good!)

You can make this ahead of time, store in some tupperware (store dressing and croutons, separately), and take it to work for lunch.

Try it, you'll like it.