BLAINEHOGAN

THANK YOU FOR CALLING INFORMATION DYNAMICS a new short film

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:00:00 PDT

The last couple months have been project-filled to say the least; a countless number of shoots, a performance art piece, and a big pitch, to name a few. Over the next few days I’ll finally be posting some of the new work.

Leading off the queue are some production stills (amazing work by Kristin Leep) from a short film I associate produced and acted in shot in and around Indianapolis. Thank You For Calling Information Dynamics (think Bourne Identity meets The Office) will be hitting the indie film circuit soon.

GOOD FRIENDS

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:57:49 PDT

Nearly three years ago I drove to Seattle (with my now wife, M) and moved into a tiny room in a small house along with 5 guys and a dog named Stella - the 135 as we lovingly called it. When I moved out after finishing Mars Hill Graduate School, I left many things behind: a toaster, a dresser, a bed, 35 Send Blaine To Mars mugs, a million odd things I can’t remember, and the glass below (it was part of a set M and I bought at Urban Outfitters during a Seattle visit).

Late last night this photo floated into my inbox after a long trip all the way from the Pacific Northwest. It made me smile and it made me cry. I can truly say that I have never had friends like these. They spoke truth to me in ways I had never experienced. I am deeply thankful for all the faces (and hands) I can see.

To The 135 and those who are nearby, you’ve marked me forever.

We created this using still photos, some motion/text additions, and touch a of particle...

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:48:00 PDT

We created this using still photos, some motion/text additions, and touch a of particle loveliness. Great work from Ryan Trommer and Randy Warren.

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

GO TO ECHO FOR $169

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:01:23 PDT

I just recieved an email telling me there are only a few spots left for ECHO and the team is allowing me to sign up a few of my interweb friends for only $169 (a huge discount from the current $329 price).

Use the promo ONEMORE to get the discount.

Hurry up, register, let me know you’re going, then let’s meet up in a couple weeks in Dallas.

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

hillmancurtis// film and video // Artist Series: Lawrence Weiner

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:19:56 PDT

hillmancurtis// film and video // Artist Series: Lawrence Weiner

CLEANING FOR CLARITY

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:29:00 PDT

I buy a new domain every couple of months. I get an idea and no matter how terrible it is, I see if the dot com is available and snatch it up. I do this so often in fact, that my friends like to add “.org, .com,” or their favorite, “.gov,” to the ends of my sentences sometimes as a little joke. In keeping with tradition a few years ago an idea struck and I purchased the domain cleaningforclarity.com. I imagined it would be a site (and book) for people to understand how cleaning out their spaces also creates space in their minds and hearts.

The website and book dreams are still very much alive, but they are not the central purpose of this post.

It is this…

Cleaning for clarity (insert trademark here) is something I do before beginning any big project. It is essential to my creative process and perhaps you will find it helpful as well. I clean off my desk, organize my computer’s desktop, empty the trash, get out my Action Book, take a deep breath, and then get down to work. Having done this practice for some years now, I find that as I’m cleaning out my space I’m simultaneously making space in my mind for whatever I’m about to work on. An added bonus is the jolt I get by giving myself a self-imposed fresh start. There is nothing like a clean desk to begin working on.

A few days ago, I found my way back to Steven Pressfield’s, The War of Art. About halfway through is a chapter entitled, A Professional Seeks Order. The following exerpt says a little more about the benefits of cleaning for clarity:

When I lived in the back of my Chevy van, I had to dig my typewriter out from beneath layers of tire tools, dirty laundry, and moldering paperbacks. My truck was a nest, a hive, a hellhole on wheels whose sleeping surface I had to clear out a foxhole to snooze in.

The professional cannot live like that. He is on a mission. He will not tolerate disorder. He eliminates chaos from his world in order to banish it from his mind. He wants the carpet vacuumed and the threshold swept, so the Muse may enter and not soil her gown.

Some people can work in the midst of messiness. I am not one of those people. I insist on some semblance of order when making things. However, (and I can’t say this enough) cleaning for clarity isn’t just about cleaning. This powerful little ritual is as much about having a clean studio as it is about creating open space in my mind and my heart. I have enough distractions in my life and don’t need a stack of unfiled things on my desk, (or in my head) getting in the way of my next idea. And neither do you.

Do you clean for clarity? If so, tell how, I’d love to hear your process. If you don’t, say why the mess works for you.

Image via Lunch Box Brain

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

FIVE THINGS I'M INTO THIS WEEK

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:44:00 PDT

Accidental Creative - Excellent resource for people who make things. “We teach creatives how to thrive in an organizational setting and organizations how to better lead their creative teams and structure for long-term effectiveness.”

Lily Allen’s, Alright, Still - Is it the UK accent, the Betty Boop image, or the irreverently, snarky lyrics? Could be all three.

The Ting Tings’, We Started Nothing - Is it the UK accent, the boy/girl image, or the bubble gummy pop-rock? Could be all three.

The War of Art - This little book by Steven Pressfield subtitled, Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, is an absolute essential for your creative life. Seriously, go and buy it right now.

Cultivate Online - A brand new resource for church leaders and creatives just launched this week. I will be writing for them on a regular basis sharing my thoughts on the creative process. Sign up, friend me, get connected to others in your field, and start receiving some great content delievered to your inbox.

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

"I practiced tightroping for about an hour a day, and after about a week I started to feel like I’m..."

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:44:09 PDT

“I practiced tightroping for about an hour a day, and after about a week I started to feel like I’m now getting my balance. I started to notice that it wasn’t that I was getting more balanced, but that I was getting more comfortable with being out of balance.”

- Janine Antoni via Joshua Longbrake

THEY HAVE ARRIVED!

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:32:00 PDT

After a very fun contest, the business cards that Ms. Courtney Bradford designed have arrived. Thank you again everyone who submitted!

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

A LONGBRAKE GIVEAWAY

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:15:00 PDT

My good friend and amazing photog, Joshua Longbrake recently held a vote over on his site. He asked his friends to choose which of his photos they wanted for free. The photo below was their choice (it was my fav as well). Head on over to download a hi-quality pdf of your very own to print. Stay for awhile and have a look around. It won’t be hard. He has some lovely things to look at.

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

THE WAR OF ART

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:28:00 PDT

A few nights ago as I was tossing and turning over a piece I’m working on for the opening session of the Arts Conference at Willow - Toward Wonder, I was suddenly reminded of a book that I hadn’t picked up in awhile, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It is an incredible little resource for anyone who makes anything.

So what made me think of the book? Well, the piece that I’m working on (a performance art/multimedia thingy) tells the story of 4 performers who are working through the creative process and the struggles we encounter along the way. Pressfield’s book calls those struggles Resistance. As I poured through the pages hunting for the answer to the latest problem in my project, I was reminded of how powerful his little axioms were. Here’s just a little taste to tide you over until you can get a copy of your very own:

“There’s a secret that real writes know that wannabe writers don’t, and the secret is this: It’s not the writing part that’s hard. What’s hard is sitting down to write. What keeps us from sitting down is the Resistance.”

What does resistance look like for you?

[image via Neil Scott]

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

GET $50 OFF ECHO CONFERENCE JULY 29 - 31

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 20:57:42 PDT

On July 29th, I’ll be making my very first trip to Dallas for the ECHO conference. While I’ve flown through DFW, I’ve never spent any real amount of time in the Lonestar state. Not only am I looking forward to the southern accents, I’m also looking forward to the conference.

According to their website,

“ECHO is a a conference for church leaders that love using media, technology, and the internet to be more effective in sharing God’s story.”

ECHO features keynotes from Ben Arment, Phil Vischer, Phil Cooke, and Mark Steele. Carlos Whittaker, Greg Atkinson, and Shawn Wood are also doing some pretty fun breakouts. Now I’d be the first one to say that I don’t usually love church conferences. I’m still not sure what I think about sub-cultures holding sub-culture meetings for people who are already a part of the sub-culture. At any rate, I’m really excited for ECHO since it seems to be mostly about creativity and innovation. And those things can’t be all bad, can they?

If you haven’t already registered and are thinking about going, here’s how you can get $50 off:

Sign up at echoconference.com BEFORE June 15 AND use the promo code: “blaine” (Full disclosure: I get a $10 amazon.com credit for every person who registers using that code. We both win!)

Also, if you’re headed to the conference or are going to be in the area, I’d love to meet some new people. Follow me and let’s connect in July.

Looking forward to it friends. Yee. Haw.

Subscribe to this feed via RSS or Email

AND THE WINNER IS...

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:10:00 PDT

COURTNEY BRADFORD (the only female who entered) and her blueprint special!

After over 330 votes via twitter and the comment section, Courtney inched ahead in the last few minutes, surpassing Jared Hardwick’s stellar #4 by only a handful of votes.

Courtney’s grandfather even voted:

“I vote for number 11 (Courtney Bradford’s) not because I’m her grandfather. The simplistic design is is a reflection of deep thought and creativity resulting in the complex understanding of design and literary message.”

Come on! How awesome is that?

Thank you again to everyone who contributed! This sure was fun and I promise to do something like this again soon.

For all you first-timers to this blog, welcome! I really hope you’ll stick around awhile. You can make sure you stay up to date by subscribing to the rss feed right here, or subscribe by email. I’m looking forward to getting to you know all better.

I am having these printed this week by the amazing folks over at premiumcards.net. They do amazing work and have a TON of options from rounded corners to mini-cards. If you’re looking to have anything printed, I would highly recommend them!

Now let’s hear it for Courtney!

WHICH BIZ CARD SHOULD I PRINT? YOU DECIDE!

Tue, 02 Jun 2009 06:07:00 PDT

First off, thank you so much for all the great submissions! I had no idea what to expect when I put the call out last week. In fact, I wasn’t sure if anyone would take me up on it. I am deeply grateful for all the work that you have put into this little contest and have been humbled by people’s (some complete strangers) willingness to contribute. It is things like this that cause me to fall in love with interweb all over again. Before I can get one of these bad boys off to the printer your job is to tell me which one!

Here’s how it will work:

There will be only one day of voting - June 2nd
To vote, comment below with the #’s of your top two favorites. I will choose between the top two vote getters. The winning design will go to print this week.
PLUS, be sure and visit the links of the fine folks who contributed! They deserve your patronage more than I can begin to say!

So, without further ado, I give you the submissions:

Jesse Oxford

Jesse has been on staff with Willow since 2002, most recently as the Creative Director for Student Impact Willow’s high school ministry. This past November, he produced the VOX Film Festival with partner Participant Media (the production company behind THE SOLOST), which gave teenage film-makers the opportunity to have their work screened by Hollywood executives. When he’s not busy at his day job, you’ll find Jesse working freelancing for organizations like Bono’s ONE CAMPAIGN developing media to further compassion and justice initiatives. In 2007 Jesse directed Christianity Today’s REDUCING THE RISK 3, a DVD focusing on child sexual abuse in faith communities, as well as DEEP DARK SECRET a documentary about a single young woman living with an STD. You can see his latest work at joxfordstudios.com

Timmy Coleman

I’m a media/experience director for college and student ministry at Journey Church in Norman, Ok. I love Jesus, and my wife. That’s pretty much the jest of my life, I’m passionate about pushing the bar in ministry, I desperately want to see the church become more creative and innovative to further the gospel of Christ via media or worship experiences. I really like coffee, and Band of Horses. Alright I’m done. Visit Timmy at timmycoleman.typepad.com

Jared Hardwick

I am Jared Hardwick, a graphic designer located in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. I serve and work in the ministry. I am the graphic designer/production artist for Compass Christian Church, in Colleyville, TX. I have a huge passion for the work I do, which is why I started my own graphic design company called One Passion Designs. I strive create with the passion and purpose God has instilled deep inside me. Visit Jared at creativemyk.com/jaredhardwick

Kaleb Coleman

I’m Kaleb, from Seattle. Currently finishing my motion design degree at Cornish College of Arts, as well as interning at Difted design out of Las Vegas. I spend a majority of my time knee deep in After effects, and Cinema 4d… but I do love my fair share of print work too :) Visit Kaleb at kalebcoleman.com

Andy Owen

Graphic Design, Motion Graphics & Video Production are all on the resumé of Andy Owen who has been working professionally since 2001. A native of Ann Arbor, he now lives with his wife Chandra and daughter Elliot in Okemos, just outside of East Lansing where Chandra works at MSU. Visit Andy Owen at paradisedigitalinc.com

10.

Mathias Burton

I am mathias burton, a designer in Detroit that loves God and makes stuff. I just finished my BFA at the College for Creative Studies, and have been freelancing with various clients, writing grants, and plannign a wedding. I like cheese, long walks on the beach, fruit, and my favoirte color is golden yellow. The card I have made for you uses platelet, a typeface designed for Emigre Magazine, and it has the reference to the rethinking of things we see every day. The shapes surrounding, reference structure and also serve to block space for you to write onto your card, or better yet, stamp onto it. I chose platelet mostly for the awesome b that it comes with, however, it’s history I think shows reference to your position, a new way of looking at church and what people receive from it. Visit Mathia Burton at mathiasburton.com

11.

Courtney Bradford

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” -T.S. Eliot

My “occupation” is a kaleidoscope of many things: I’m your local coffee shop barista, small business entrepreneur (handcrafted journals), graphic design intern, and aspiring photographer. I’ve lived just outside of Dallas, TX for most of my life but often find myself back in my hometown of San Francisco. I love to communicate through many mediums with the aim to express life— to make beauty loud. Visit Courtney’s Etsy shop here

[Don’t forget to subscribe to blainehogan.com here]

"The professional cannot allow the actions of others to define his reality. Tomorrow morning the..."

Sun, 31 May 2009 15:17:35 PDT

“The professional cannot allow the actions of others to define his reality. Tomorrow morning the critic will be gone, but the writer will still be there facing the blank page. Nothing matters but that he keep working.”

- Steven Pressfield, The War of Art

IF EVERYTHING IS BOLD, NOTHING IS BOLD

Sat, 30 May 2009 07:22:46 PDT

IF EVERYTHING IS BOLD, NOTHING IS BOLD

"It seems that you keep crossing and recrossing the border. For a while, you experience a real joy in..."

Tue, 26 May 2009 11:37:59 PDT

“It seems that you keep crossing and recrossing the border. For a while, you experience a real joy in the new country. But then you feel afraid and start longing again for all you left behind, so you go back to the old country. To your dismay, you discover that the old country has lost its charm. Risk a few more steps into the new country, trusting that each time you enter it, you will feel more comfortable and be able to stay longer.”

- Henri Nouwen via Anne Jackson

HELP! I NEED A NEW BUSINESS CARD!

Mon, 25 May 2009 11:57:00 PDT

Since being on staff at Willow, I’ve been to numerous events and in multiple situations where people have asked for my card.

I don’t have one and I need your help!

Because I work at a church and don’t have a ton of cash, I began thinking I would design one on my own. Then I got to thinking…there might be a few designers who read this blog who’d be willing to contribute their work to a friendly design contest. Then I’d have my blog/Facebook/Twitter friends vote for the winning design.

Also, because of my unusual title, Experience Engineer (Someone who creates spiritual experiences using movement, music, multimedia, and video), I thought it’d be interesting to see what different designers would come up with.

I realize that this is a big ask.

Amazing designers like yourself deserve to be compensated. I don’t expect people to do work for nothing. As I mentioned, I don’t have much to give, however, I have come up with a few small incentives. If you’re willing to contribute your work, here are the details:

Everyone who submits an entry will get a nice little bio and a link back to your site during voting. The winner will receive fame, unending praise and favor, AND a $75 gift certificate to your favorite store/restaurant.

DEADLINE: JUNE 1, MIDNIGHT PST

INFO TO INCLUDE:
Blaine Hogan
Experience Engineer - Willow Creek Community Church
blainehogan@me.com
312.316.8645
blainehogan.com

SEND YOUR DESIGN AND 100 WORD BIO TO: blainehogan@me.com

I will post all the entries for voting on June 2.

Please comment or email if you have any questions.

Thank you to all who enter!

My very first guest post is now up on creativityist.com

Mon, 18 May 2009 12:24:05 PDT

My very first guest post is now up on creativityist.com

DON'T BECOME BURDENED BY CONSENSUS

Mon, 18 May 2009 07:17:00 PDT

Another great line uttered during the 99 Percent by Scott Belsky.

I’ve freelanced most of my life. Whether I was doing a play, producing a video, or creating a design, I’ve always lanced freely. After a number of years of this I started to feel as though I was autonomous simply because I wasn’t burdened by a corporate structure where I had to create buy-in and consensus. While my clients had needs and desires that needed to be met to keep my job, I tended to feel as though my unique ideas were more important than what the client wanted. Compromise was out of the question.

The classic disgruntled artist. If they didn’t like my idea, well then they just didn’t understand it. They didn’t understand me. I’m special. I’m artsy. And no I’m not going to water down my idea just for you and your organization, that would take away a piece of my soul. If my idea is compromised, I. Might. Die.

Not so fast.

Now that I find myself inside a rather large organization, no longer freelancing, I’m learning that I choose to either be burdened or stretched by consensus. To be clear, certainly there are times where your idea just can’t be watered down and instead must be fought for tooth and nail. But not always. Sometimes bits and pieces of your idea will have to be given up in order to better the project, the organization, or perhaps yourself - even if you disagree; even if you pout.

So what to do and when to do it?

Figure out what is sacred to your project (that one shot at the beginning, that one note that goes a bit higher, that one hue, that one arm movement). Hold onto that little nugget as tight as you can, and know that in and amongst the rest of your piece there will be compromise.

The trick is knowing when and where to give in. And there’s no better way to learn than to practice. So, suck up your ego next time you pitch. A little compromise won’t kill you.

[Subscribe to this feed]