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July 29th, 2010
by Nicole Melton
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The Remedy For My Bad Day: Just Shut Up And Sing

Dixie Chicks in Austin, Texas

I had a bad day. It was one of those that pretty much sucked all the way around. It happens – we all have them. And it was one of those overwhelming kind of days. At the end of it all, I felt as if I’d pretty much let just about everyone who was counting on me down. You know – you’ve had them. Just had a bad day. Blah.

As I was driving home, the only thought in my head was “I gotta get home and relax. Forget this crappy day! Chill.”

I walked in, ate dinner and tried to decide what movie I was going to watch. TV therapy is what I needed. Something to soothe my soul, make me feel better and get me out of my head. I needed to quit reflecting on the chaos that had defined my day

I bent down to go thru my DVDs and was looking for Knocked Up. It’s my fave. It makes me laugh and transports me to a happy place. Always. Not to mention, I have a crush on Seth Rogen and I want to BE Katherine Heigl in another life. As I thumbed through the DVDs, I happened upon Shut Up and Sing, the Dixie Chicks’ documentary. And, it turns out, it was just what I needed.

Here’s why.

I refuse to rehash the Dixie Chicks vs. George Bush drama. The subject is kind of polarizing, I know. BUT, it’s old as hell and I’m over it. For anyone not living on this planet in 2003, it happened when Natalie Maines, lead singer of The Dixie Chicks, proclaimed that they were “ashamed President Bush was from Texas.” I have my own political ideas and beliefs and so does everyone else. No need to go over all of that again.

But this documentary is really nothing short of amazing. Every time I watch it, I take a few minutes to look at myself and wonder. I ask myself hard questions, like “what do I stand for?” And I wonder whether I have the balls to really put myself out there and say what I mean, and mean what I say, at any cost. It’s fascinating to me to even consider it. The documentary details the Chicks’ career from 2003 (when all hell broke loose) until 2006, when they released their next CD, “Taking the Long Way” –mind you, a multi-Grammy Award winning CD at that. Like any band, their storyline has trials and tribulations, but it’s the political overtones that make the film so compelling. The documentary takes the audience through the process of those artists being forced to reexamine and redefine themselves, in the face of much adversity and under pretty much constant public scrutiny. I found it inspiring. A breath of fresh air. Chicken soup for my soul.

Here’s the deal. I realized that I was compelled to watch the documentary tonight because I needed to feel like myself again. I got lost today. Yes, I had a bad day, but watching the film made me realize that I can really relate to the three strong women in the documentary, making their way through day-to-day battles. The Chicks’ battles were a little more public than the ones I had to deal with, but the message was clear.  Sometimes you win. Sometimes you don’t. And sometimes things are just gonna SUCK. For a little while, anyway. But, you find a way to make it right for yourself….and my way happened to be a little dusty DVD on my shelf.

What about you? Have you seen this film? Or another that really resonated with you the way this one resonated with me? I’d love to hear about it.

July 15th, 2010
by Teri Rogers
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What the Frack? This is What I Love About Filmmaking

I always tell people that the reason I got into this business is because it is such a powerful medium.  A single film has the power to influence – to motivate – to raise awareness – to change a point of view.  And making a documentary film, in particular, gives the filmmaker a unique opportunity to reach down deep inside and produce a piece of art that tells a story — a truth.  That gives the filmmaker a powerful platform that can affect change.   But you can see all that for yourself, if you just take a minute to watch this documentary trailer.

Gasland was directed by Josh Fox and it was the Winner of the Special Jury Prize – Best US Documentary Feature at Sundance in 2010 and it also screened recently at Cannes. Fracking is not only happening all across rural areas in America, it’s spreading to Europe and Africa, too.  Property owners are tempted by very lucrative offers from big energy companies and, given today’s economy, it’s not surprising that some opt to take the money and run.

I think this is a huge deal – and I agree with Josh that this is a situation that deserves a big spotlight aimed right at it – and this documentary definitely does that. If the trailer intrigued you at all, and you want to do more, visit the Gasland website. Request a screening in your city. Make a donation. If we all just did a little, we could make a huge impact.

And that, my friends, is why I LOVE documentaries. I love watching them. I love making them. I love their inherent power to make a difference.

June 22nd, 2010
by Michele Sherpy
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Winning. It’s Cool. No Question.

National Addy Awards Trophies

We’ve all heard the saying that “winning isn’t everything,” but let me ask those of you who’ve ever won anything in your life – how did it feel?  Did you get an emotional high? Feel that overwhelming sense of pride and/or teamwork? Did it spur your competitive nature even more? Chances are, however you expressed yourself, it was an experience you’re bound to remember. I know it was for me.

A few weeks ago we were notified that T2 + Back Alley Films won a National Addy and we were invited to Orlando to attend the ceremony and accept our award. Guess who got to attend on behalf of T2? Yeah — it was me!! I’ve been a member of our local AAF chapter for over two years and this was my first national event. To say that I was psyched is an understatement.

Fast forward to the event itself, which took place this last Saturday. I arrived at the event venue and chatted my way through a crowded cocktail party filled with people who make their living in the ad business and, well, other winners, waiting for the ceremony to start. We exchanged names, companies, laughs, all eager for the big show to start. Then, promptly at 7pm, the doors opened and we were ushered into the ballroom. The stage was lit, the hosts were poised; it was game on.

As the first reel of Gold Addy winners started to play, I could feel the anticipation begin to build. Every time I saw an agency from the Midwest I felt a sense of pride, a small win for the “Fly-Over” states. Suddenly, I hear it, the announcement of T2….and here I go up on the stage to accept that beautiful award on behalf of my entire team. The walk. The congratulations. The handshake. The photo. Hearing the applause of our peers. The walk back to my seat. A quiet and proud sigh followed by a big satisfied smile.

Michele Sherpy, Accepting National Addy for T2

That’s what winning feels like. It’s wonderful to be recognized for hard work. I smiled on behalf of my entire T2 + Back Alley Family –- we all won. Two Gold Awards for the T2 website design and a self-promotional, experiential design piece, the “T2 Massacre.”

What an amazing experience – and certainly one I will never forget. And I couldn’t be more proud of the team of amazing people that I’m lucky enough to work with on a daily basis. And, maybe winning isn’t everything, but it sure feels good.

June 16th, 2010
by Teri Rogers
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Our Business Mantra: Turn And Face The Strange

Changes Bowie

Not unlike most businesses, ours has undergone many changes over the course of the past several years. And our strategy has guided it at times and tried to keep up with those changes the rest of the time. This post was inspired by David Bowie a veritable master of change. Listen to the song while you read this post and you’ll see why I was inspired.

Take Two used to be known mostly in the Kansas City market for our post-production work. In order to keep up with a changing industry, we created Back Alley Films to do original film production and motion graphics design. We then created our Integrated Experience Lab to focus on emerging digital and multi-platform work: things like augmented reality, interactive design and experiential design. We’re now known as T2 + Back Alley Films and, while our client base still includes Kansas City based companies, it has expanded to include clients all over the world.

Change has been a great opportunity for us to reinvigorate our business, reinvigorate our staff and completely reexamine our business model. As a result, it has literally changed the way we do everything.

These days, from the very first moments of working with a new or prospective client, the people that we bring to the table is an eclectic group — and a strategically formed one. No longer do we rely on our new business development team — or our producers — to do all the work, instead, we bring the talent to the table. We combine the strategic and the creative thinkers – for a new age of strategic/creative thinking. That means our team, our creatives, our brand experts, our interactive and experiential design teams, our mobile technology team and our social media strategists are part of just about every project or idea, from its earliest inception.

The reality of our business – and any business, really – is that change IS the reality. And in this case, we’re finding that change is making us better at what what we do. It’s creative services — but it’s broader than what it used to be. I bet it’s happening everywhere. What about you? How are you changing the scope of the way you do business? Our generation will be defined by this. Let’s talk about it — and learn from each other.

April 27th, 2010
by Teri Rogers
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Publishers: Go Digital or Go Away

Apple iPad

Isn’t that the truth for all of us? Go digital or go away. It happened to advertising – in large part because of the change in publishing and broadcast – and so, the circle gets wider. Now books and newspapers and magazines have to give it up to the digital age.

That’s what we’ve done – and it really hasn’t been all that bad. Some days I might even say it’s been fun. We have spent the last year refocusing our business and integrating digital technology, interactive design and innovative strategic thinking into our arsenal of creative offerings. As a result, we have created a business model that allows us to offer our clients more services and more strategic solutions, all under the same roof. And one of those services is in the world of publishing. We have begun to create trailers for books – and it’s a growing business segment. Publishing houses are in the business of creating content – content that is moving to the iPad and mobile platforms. We can help them not only sell books, but downloads as well.

Al DiGuido of Zeta Interactive, wrote a terrific piece in this week’s AdAge on this issue, and I think his insights are right on target. His post addresses the rumors circulating about Hearst’s potential purchase of interactive shop iCrossing. There is no shortage of people willing to knock this idea, but DiGuido makes a compelling argument for the publishing industry’s move into the digital realm.

I still buy books and newspapers but, like many consumers today, I also get them delivered to my iPad. The transition is happening, like it or not. As the world of consumption of media has changed, the world of publication must change with it. Whether that means publishing houses acquire digital agencies to help them accomplish that or hire interactive agencies like ours, the paradigm is definitely shifting and it’s time for the industry to embrace that shift.

What do you think?