60 Second Director

What I keep saying, only not in my words.

2011-12-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

Isn't it funny how the better you develop your skills to master one form, the better you're able to master others? Or to put it another way, when you get to be a black belt in kung fu, you're a...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

I had my cake and ate it, too, or something.

2011-11-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

Mine's better When I was a kid –– around seven –– I decided to learn how to cook. And what does a seven-year-old learn how to cook? Right. Devil's food cake. My mom gave me her recipe and...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Already.

2011-11-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

I just made a phone call and heard a Christmas carol while I was on hold. On November 1st. Remember when we used to complain because the Christmas music would start on Thanksgiving? Back...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

I couldn't have said it better myself. But that's not going to stop me from trying.

2011-10-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

My friend Rich Siegel –– one of the funniest guys in advertising –– writes a blog called Round 17. A couple of weeks ago, he did a post about an issue people in advertising face constantly, but...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

On borrowed interest, mashed potatoes, and flowers

2011-10-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

When I was in fifth grade, I rode my bike to school. The route I took went past a bottle brush tree –– at least that's what we called it. It had soft bark that came off in sheets like thick...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Something to think about.

2011-10-10T14:30:00.000-07:00

We live in an age when CEOs are fairly universally reviled, and yet so many of us are mourning –– deeply –– the death of not just a CEO, but a billionaire CEO who had a reputation for ruthless...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Jesse Blanchard knows more about 3-D than you do.

2011-09-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

'Shine', Jesse Blanchard's 2-minute, 49-second masterpiece When I spoke to my buddy Jesse Blanchard about a year ago, he was all excited to build a 3-D rig he'd dreamed up. A couple of nights...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

A really nice commercial. Then I actually saw it.

2011-08-19T17:04:00.000-07:00

Last night, this spot was on one of the TVs at the gym. I saw about 45% of it with no sound, from across the room, while I was trying to use the eliptical machine. But that was enough. Enough to...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

More proof I have no clue what I'm talking about.

2011-08-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Not long ago I judged the Student Academy Awards. Which is a pretty prestigious honor, by the way, but not the point here. One film in particular captivated me. I don't think I'm supposed to...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

I'm back.

2011-08-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

To all the people who send emails and messages, wondering why I hadn't posted in a while and asking if I were okay, thank you. I'm okay. Life has been pretty nutty and writing blog posts...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Does the guy in the latest Hammy's commercial remind you of somebody?

2010-08-19T12:03:00.000-07:00

I recently shot a couple of spots for Hammy's Pizza that I'm really happy with, and not just because they gave me the opportunity to create a character based on someone I know and no, I'm not going...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Why most advertising sucks. (Part 5)

2010-08-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, somebody says what I want to say better than I could have said it myself. Today's example comes from Bob Hoffman, CEO of Hoffman/Lewis advertising. Bob writes one of...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

I'm looking for seven- to nine-year-old boys and no, I'm not a perv.

2010-08-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not a terrorist, either. You know that camera rig I mention occasionally? The one I've been working on for almost a year? Well, I finally got it to do what it's supposed to.Most directors,...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

How you buy often indicates how you make

2010-08-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

Apizza Scholls –– truly magnificent pizza in Portland, Oregon The other day I was talking with a producer buddy of mine about pizza. He buys the cheapest pizza he can find. And he prides...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

The Old Spice guy, part II

2010-08-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

Did you realize that the Old Spice guy is African American? I did. But only recently. This is relevant. First of all, because I'm old. And second because I grew up in the...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Aw, Mom! Squid again?

2010-07-30T02:56:00.000-07:00

After having spent the last three days in Galicia, I can tell you with absolute confidence that the people there aren't like you or me. We ate squid at every meal. Until the last lunch before we...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

How to write better than I do.

2010-07-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

I just finished the first leg of my epic flight to Portugal and even though I got off to an inauspicious start, what with my flight being delayed for ten hours, so far things have actually been quite...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Why most advertising sucks. (Part 4)

2010-07-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest tragedies of the advertising business is that there's very little training. People with raw talent are generally indulged, exploited, and eventually promoted into positions of...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

The Old Spice guy reminds me of an elderly, female comedienne

2010-07-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

Back when I used to do stand up comedy, one of the things I learned that was really effective was what's called a topper. That's when you follow up a strong punch line with another thought that's...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

A story about a fish. Let it be a lesson to you.

2010-07-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago my parents, like a lot of elderly people, suddenly took to cruises. And in order to share their new-found love, they insisted that my wife and I join them on one. My wife...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Genius or stupidity? It might be both.

2010-06-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

There's a rumor swirling around the blogosphere regarding a front-page story in The New York Times on June 9th about Chevy. I mean, Chevrolet. Apparently, a memo was issued that week urging...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Here I go again, picking on poor Wieden + Kennedy.

2010-06-22T10:09:00.000-07:00

I feel like I need to start this post by backpedaling. Wieden + Kennedy is one of the greatest ad agencies in the history of advertising. They've done incredible work over years –– some of the most...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

See? Somebody else thinks I'm pretty swell (not you, Mom).

2010-06-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

If you're not familiar with pdnonline.com, now would be a great time to check it out.Why? Well, they're the go-to resource for a ton of really talented photographers I'm honored to be among. But more...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

When is a boondoggle not a boondoggle?

2010-06-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

A lot of people in the advertising business think of a boondoggle the way the Supreme Court thinks of porn –– they can't define it, but they know it when they see it. I don't think it's that hard...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).

Hope and the magic lottery.

2010-06-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

As much as I want you to read my blog, there's someone else's you might consider reading. Occasionally. It's Seth Godin, who is not only a lot more famous than I am, but a lot more...

Bite-sized lessons on directing from a guy who makes a living creating bite-sized films (commercials).