June 2006 RAP
June 2006 Highlights
Feature: Tripping Over Inspiration
by Craig Jackman
I’ve been spending a lot of time recently thinking about inspiration,
what inspires me, and where do I find it. Why? I’m not finding it in the
usual places, and the daily grind of churning spots, promos, and image
stingers out is starting to wear on me. The nature of the position dictates
that there is a certain amount of routine through the work day, and I need a
spark every so often to relight the pilot. There’s lots of fuel available. I
just need to look for a match to fire it up. In looking around for
inspiration I’ve come to a certain conclusion that really surprised me:
inspiration really is everywhere around you in everything around you. It’s
just waiting for you to trip over it and decide what it is.
Interview: J.J. Foxx, Clear Channel Creative Services
Group, Atlanta, Georgia
By Jerry Vigil
Each year after the RAP Awards, we like to visit with one or two of the
new names that have popped up in the competition. One of those names is J.J.
Foxx, the producer for the spot that won Best Commercial – Large Markets.
The spot came from Clear Channel’s Creative Services Group in Atlanta, for
which J.J. has been a producer/copywriter since early 2005. In November of
2004, we visited with Jim Cook, Sr. VP of Creative Services for the CSG and
got the lowdown on the CSG and it’s newly launched "Less Is More"
initiative. This month, we take a look at the CSG from the trenches. We
learn a little about J.J. Foxx and a little more about this hard working
group of people that make up the CSG, which has done a lot in the past
couple of years to improve radio’s stopsets and clients’ pocketbooks
nationwide.
Test Drive: ProjectMix I/O from M-Audio
By Steve Cunningham
When it comes to control surfaces, particularly ones that work with Pro
Tools, I admit to being spoiled. I have access to most everything that
Digidesign makes through USC, including the budget-busting Pro Control, Icon
D-Command, Control24, as well as the more moderate 002 and Command-8. But
the production room at home features a well-worn (and lately cranky) Yamaha
digital board with features I rarely use anymore. I’d like to replace it and
reclaim some space, as well as reduce the AC bill (it’s a lovely space
heater in the winter), but since I also use Vegas and Audition now and then
it has to work well with those programs too. So when M-Audio dropped their
ProjectMix I/O interface/control surface at the doorstep I was cranked.
Production 212: It's Not That I'm Being Rude... (Your
problem is just insignificant.)
By Dave Foxx
I just got back from a company meeting in Atlanta, where I was asked to
speak about time management in a studio environment. When they first asked,
I thought, "Why in the world are they asking me? I have a hard time getting
my RAP article done by deadline each month." (It’s true, just ask Jerry.)
But, being the good soldier that I am, or perhaps because I had no idea how
to say no, I started on a Power Point™ presentation and a speech. Before I
knew it, as dry and musty as the topic sounded and even though I felt like I
was ill equipped to lecture others about time management, I realized that I
was the perfect person to ask because I knew something about the topic that
I hadn’t thought about up until then.
Radio Hed: The Heart Wags the Mind
By Jeffrey Hedquist
If you don’t reach the heart, you won’t make the sale. When creating
commercials, we often get ahead of ourselves and assume that a compelling
list of facts will convince prospects to buy. I’m suggesting a simple
turnaround. Grab their heart and their mind will follow.
Feature: "Oh My God, We're All Gonna Die!"
By Ed Thompson
In my last article I referred to the generation behind the Baby Boomers
as the Hip Hop Generation and how the number one item on their list of
values is, "Don’t bullshit me." They’re the most informed and most media
savvy individuals to ever exist in human history and they’re skeptical as
hell. Old news and information sources like newspapers and network news
shows are being abandoned in favor of the Internet, blogs, emails, and text
messages. Why? Simple. They don’t trust traditional sources of information.
Every day they’re bombarded with sensational stories of how the world sucks
and we’re all going to die because of terrorists, global warming, tsunamis,
hurricanes, bird flu, cancer, or whatever. Yet, we’re still here. No wonder
their B-S meters are so sensitive. Want proof? On May 3, 2006, Reuters
reported in a 10-country survey, that nearly two-thirds of respondents don’t
trust the media. In the US, the number is even higher at nearly 70%!
Feature: The "Production" Rules of Wisdom
By Neil Holmes
My father in law is an email nut - in as much as he forwards almost
everything. A while back he sent these "Rules of Wisdom", author unknown. It
struck me today to adapt them to radio production. See if you agree: Growing
old is inevitable, growing UP is optional. Production translation: We grew
into a room with padded walls where we get to play with sound. We grew up
and got older, and we are still a lot of fun.
Feature: Are You Ready For Video Production?
By Chadd Pierce
You read the best magazines, browse the hottest websites, watch the
shows, see the movies. Your brain periscope’s always up, always looking for
signs of that next big thing. Will it be a neat new style of production? A
bed service? The Ultimate Promotion? All that "finger on the pulse"
blahblahblah. Well, I’ve got a new project for you: Video.
...And Make It Real Creative:
By Trent Rentsch
Last month I shared my amusing (and nearly toe eliminating) encounter
with a chainsaw. This month I’d like to begin with another chainsaw story.
Gordie was a classmate of my Father’s. He was the Sheriff in my hometown for
as long as I can remember, but from what Dad said he was always tough as
nails, never took crap from anybody. He retired some years ago, and spent
time working some land that he owned outside of town. One day last year he
was by himself, trimming some trees on the property. I don’t know what kind
of chainsaw he was using, but my guess is that it was the monster,
gas-powered kind… I can’t imagine Gordie using anything less.
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