Points of Light

FINALLY!! We can use VISUALS!

I'm a very visual person ... well visual and kinetic, but that's hard to get across even on television. Being able to show a product, it's uses, creating an ideal image of the product, showing a situation, not always having to use words. What's the quote about actions and only using words when we need to? ........

“Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” - St. Francis of Assisi

Okay ... so not exactly the same idea. Let's try this one:

"Actions speak louder than words."

That's more like it. But both quotes point out the we don't need words to communicate effectively. Sometimes learning to tell a story through only pictures makes you think a little more. What best communicates the ideas you're thinking of without plugging this feature or that, or the price tag, or talking about all the benefits the product has? It's a question that you can start to answer when you get the opportunity to take words out of the equation.

Pointing it Out

"Image is everything!" - Ella Enchanted

Imaging is hard. Determining what ideas and values drive your radio or television station, and figuring out how to portray that to the audience is tricky. Whether you have words or pictures, finding a way to communicate your vision quickly is a challenge. If you want to attract your audience it has to be interesting and relevant to them. What will make them want to listen or watch?

Sweepers are the hardest so far because they're so short! 5-9 seconds to 1) grab attention 2) convey a message of values and 3) remind the audience who you are ... that is a lot to do in a short amount of time.

Promos should be easier because you have more time to express the message, but they are proving to be even more of a challenge! Jenn and I sat and stared at the screen for at least 15 minutes with no ideas. And every idea we came up with seemed more ridiculous than the previous one! Needless to say, we'll be brainstorming this weekend for sure!

Point the Way

I don't want to work in advertising. Writing a commercial feels so manipulative to me; as though I'm trying to lead people astray. Oh boy... writing the spot isn't as hard as I originally thought. I wrote my spot relatively quickly, but I'd feel so guilty if I ever put it on air. My goal is to make people spend money on something they don't need and probably can't afford. Isn't that what most advertising is? Trying to convince us that our hard earned money would be put to good use if we bought this product, or went on that vacation, or invested in this organization.

I'm not saying all things we spend money on are bad, but so many times advertisers are trying to get us to buy their more expensive, name brand product; which most of the time is something we don't even need.

I would much rather use scriptwriting skills to spread truth or share a unique story, than to sell a product. Advertising points astray. Truth points the way.