award winning directing looking for a mind blowing television spot that I will direct and produce with a major ad agency for a spec reel.

We’re looking for minimal and graphic (commercial director Malcom Venville’s Early work is a good reference) high impact boards/scripts for tv spots that are unusual and (possibly) organically shocking and abrasive- Clean clear unforgettable ideas that can produced for a fairly lean budget. The products can range across the board but preferably be well known.

Don't you have to find an advertiser first who wants someone to create adverts for them?

I'm confused.

Jane

hi Jane.

No that's the whole point of spec ads.. directors show what they can do by choosing hypothetical clients and concept them to finished spots.. Not sure if that's what you might do in the UK but definitely here.

there's a website that shows some of them but I think most of these are awful

http://www.thespecspot.com/

todd

The problem with much of the "agency" work out there is that it's an attempt to be "cute" or "clever." It sounds as if you know that.

I'm not sure your strategy is good -- trying to become a TV ad guy. Personally, if I were starting over in the agency business (owned an agency many moons ago) -- I would try to become an agency at "boosting sales" "boosting traffic" "building client lists"... and in non-traditional ways.

It might include TV -- although I'd never again produce a spot that doesn't have a "Direct Response" component to it. But, personally I think you "look like every other agency" if you come in with spec spots. Do something different.

There's an interesting article about this in the latest edition of Fortune Magazine (see Strawberry Frog agency in New York -- think they have a main office in Europe somewhere). The create viral campaigns, crazy stuff, etc.

Anyhow... if you insist on your original idea... I would not look here. I'd identify a hit list of 20 companies I wanted to work for and contact them about producing stuff completely on spec! (It may seem obvious... but they should be people already running TV -- that way you can test against their stuff... and hopefully kick its butt)

And if you have no experience, "Well Known" may not be an option. You might have to start with "Unknown" -- make them "Known" -- and then, you'll be on the map.

Hi JP-

i think we're all on the same page regarding how bad the ads out there are. i have no interest in being part of an agency, I am a film director who is looking to make a living directing commercials and the best way to do that is to have a reel of proposed commercials for fantasy clients. And I agree with you that the viral model is an excellent one. My producer (she's a senior broadcast producer at the world's biggest agency, ogilvy) and i are absolutely trying to create something that's smack in your face wake you up kind of work. I am certainly not of the mindset of only doing things as they have been done before. As a matter of fact, we have been sent scripts from gold-lion winning copywriters and CDs and we haven't been blown away.

As far as finding a client, and selling them an ad, it happens so rarely that they will be interested in going in any route other than an agency, i think it's a bit futile. But if we create something for my reel for say, "Coca-cola" that's totally mind-blowing, it can't hurt to show it to them (unless of course they get irked and try to sue..ugh.)

Thanks for the reply-
todd

todd heyman
www.reelherofilms.com

That clears it up a bit. Didn't get that from your original post.

So what is your question for the board? What were you looking for?

Hi JR-

I'll edit my original post:

I'm a director and I'm working with a sr broadcast producer at ogilvy worldwide creating a spec reel.

We’re looking for minimal and graphic (commercial director Malcom Venville’s Early work is a good reference) high impact boards/scripts for tv commercials that are unusual and (possibly) organically shocking and abrasive- Clean clear unforgettable ideas that can produced for a fairly lean budget. The products can range across the board but preferably be well known.

So I am appealing to this board, if there are any writers that have the above and in exchange would like to see their work produced (and obviously have a copy) at a broadcast level- please respond.

Best

Todd

Todd,

Which format are you looking for? A traditional split audio/visual script (i.e 2 columns split down the middle sync'd up) or some of the newer scripts that are more narrative? I've worked with both, and I know a lot of producers are accepting the latter now, but some traditionals still prefer the former.

Thanks...John

Actually I have no prob either way though I have liked the narrative better (the filmmaker in me)- more storytelling-esque