I feel like I have been ranting all morning and so thought I would post something lighter and it involves a CDAN reader who has always been good to the blog. Alex is a director and here is what she has to say about the recent Amazon contest she entered.
The basic story behind it is sad, however: struggling South Bronx indie filmmaker (that's me, that is) blows 2 months' rent money making a spec commercial for Amazon contest (filmed at City College! Starring a Julliard student! and shot by pretty much an all-female NY indie crew working for free), spends 10 days doing visual effects in Photoshop because she can't afford any of the real VFX programs, and then her work gets rejected by Amazon as "too professional". Boo, Amazon!
The funny thing about directing is that the only way to make money is via directing commercials. The only way to get hired to direct a commercial is to have already done a commercial. So basically I had to spend a shedload of my own cash making a commercial for a billion-dollar corporation who is too cheap to pay Saatchis to do it for them. Directing is a stupid, stupid career.
Here is Alex's commercial.
If you want to see the five finalists, you can click here. My favorite since Alex can't win is "Proceed To A Better Life."
Boo - no sound at work :(
ReplyDeleteThat was very cute! I liked it better than the ones you vote on at Amazon. Kind of Harry Potter-y (heh, pottery, I digress) Great job Alex! And best of luck in future :-)
ReplyDeleteOf the chosen ones: Kindlicious was my favorite at Amazon.
Great commercial! Amazon lost out for rejecting it!
ReplyDeleteso much crap is being foisted upon us in music, film and fashion, and everyone stands around and claps like it's the greatest thing, and then someone comes along and gets the smack down for doing too good of a job?!!! For god sake! Do they know you did this in Photoshop???
ReplyDeleteGood work Alex!
Boo to amazon! After watching Alex's commercial, I didn't like any of the finalists' videos. Maybe I should have watched the others first.
ReplyDeleteIf amazon truly felt that this was "too professional" for their contest, why the eff didn't they just pay Alex for it and use it????
great job, Alex! *applause, applause!!!*
ReplyDeleteboo hiss on amazon, but remember that sometimes in life we have to lose to win. add this to your reel and dossier...you never know when a key person will see it. trust, this much i know...you're going to go on to do GREAT things.
Alex, I loved your commercial. I'm sorry you weren't chosen but wish you much success in the future.
ReplyDeleteI also voted for two of the finalists on-line.
Loved it, great!
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDeleteLoved it :) Big mistake Amazon!
ReplyDeleteSome fancy 'Julliard' wand-work there (...like I wouldn't freeze up or something). It was a fine commercial though, it didn't seem too professional either.
ReplyDeleteHOW CUTE!
ReplyDeleteI love my Kindle btw
Amazon lost out big time.They must like crap over quality.
ReplyDeleteThat was a really great concept and would have made the buyer think what to put in a Kindle or have made them interested enough to buy a Kindle.
I lvoed it. F*ck Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for your kind words! And huge thanks, Enty, for posting it. We had a lot of fun making the ad and one of the reasons I was most sad Amazon didn't pick it up was that my awesome crew all worked for free and if we had won, I at least could have divided up the prize money between them to pay them back for their time...
ReplyDeleteOh well, tomorrow's another day. And do go check out the Amazon finalists, they worked really hard too and they deserve your attention/voting!
Alex- I agree with Amazon. I was too professional.
ReplyDeleteYou should be very proud, you are very talented.
Compared to the finalist videos, this does look nice and polished. And imaginative! You're very talented with Photoshop.
ReplyDeleteAlex,
ReplyDeletemajor kudos on it.I've also checked your site and turns out you're responsible for one of my fave music videos-Leeds United.You are a seriously talented individual and i think you are one the right path to great things.Stay strong.
Alex,
ReplyDeleteI've commented on the Amazon boards already, but your commercial was fantastic. The fact that you actually heard from them is interesting. Since the rules of the contest state Amazon owns anything you submit, do you think they'll make their own version? Also, is it possible they were squeamish about using the visual representation of what authors say about the Kindle already. Anything, great video regardless.
Nicely done, Alex! Too bad you weren't one of the finalists. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteFriggin' Amazon! I think it is wonderful and they suck!
ReplyDeleteGreat Work, Alex .. if you see this a few days late!! Wonderful concept, great work in puling it off .. and well I think Amazon is nuts!
Thanks again, everyone! I bet there are LOADS of creative CDAN readers - maybe one 'your turn' should be all of us showing pix of what we do - whether it be make amazing cherry pies, or make low budget music videos/commercials xxoo
ReplyDelete