Three more or less relevant thoughts on a Thursday

One
I only got DVR about a month ago (not unrelated to Lost‘s return), so it’s still new and fascinating to me. Since I’m fast-forwarding all those commercials that advertisers paid lots of money for, I wonder if there will be a movement to produce television commercials in slow-motion with words on the screen so they are most effective while being fast-forwarded. Similarly, do commercial creators now film commercials using similar tones/filters/settings as the TV shows during which they will be played? Like in magazines, when often the ad layouts are so similar to the editorial layouts that the pages have to say “Advertisement” on top? That way, I *think* The Hills has come back on so I press play, but MTV really just wants me to buy Voluminous mascara.

Two
In last week’s issue of Time Out New York, page 15 began a list of ways to get ahead in everyday life. Number 2 was “Invent an Ally”, which I loved, possibly a bit too much:

2 INVENT AN ALLY

“When my first
book was coming out, I wanted a write-up on a website that did not
accept self-write-ups. So I spent three months constructing an
elaborate online persona with which to promote it. By the end, it
didn’t seem as much like self-pimping as an authentic personality
disorder.”–Molly Crabapple

I misread this the first time, and thought Ms. “Crabapple” meant she created her own website where she reviewed other people’s books, and then gave herself a glowing review on that site. Either way, I like it.

Three
Elizabeth Streb’s extreme action company STREB is looking for “co-producers” for what will be “the shortest dance with the longest credits”:

For a fully tax-deductible contribution of only 10 Dollars, you can be co-producer of a new series of 10 Second Dances by Elizabeth Streb, with music composed by David Van Tieghem and projection design by Aaron Henderson to be premiered on March 27, 2009 as part of the Spring Home Season at SLAM. 

That’s the price of a Mint Mocha Chip Frappucino and a plain scone!

We will roll the producer’s credits following each 10 Second Dance. All producers are invited to an exclusive backstage tour following each Saturday evening performance.

Get involved in the ACTION! Support Elizabeth in the creation of new work – our goal is to involve at least 1,000 producers. 

Click the link below and forward this to anyone who wants to be a PRODUCER too!

I love that they are calling all donors “producers” – I’ve not seen that before. The beverage/scone comparison is useful, though who can eat anything while drinking those frappu- things? I hope they do reach 1,000 producers, so Obama-esque fundraising measures like this are encouraged throughout the industry.  So, if you want to be (one of) the greatest, grandest and most fabulous producer(s) in the world, click here.

I should also note that I sat next to Elizabeth Streb at a conference last June, and she has the best title on her business card of anyone I have ever met: “ELIZABETH STREB: ACTION ARCHITECT”. Boom.