Clever or too cute to count?

So I was surfing the web the other night and noticed a post on www.zap2it.com about the new promos for ABC's Sam I Am. This is the new show starring Christina Applegate that will air in the fall. Apparently the promos play up the amnesia angle (which the main character has) and as a cutesy way of promoting the show never even say the show's name! I have to admit that went right by me when I saw the spot, but now that it has been pointed out I see it. This doesn't seem like the smartest advertising move to me. You've got a new show - shouldn't you tell people what it's called? Or am I playing it too safe with my belief in stating the obvious on this one?

I haven't been watching too much TV as my moving date fast approaches. Not that there is much to watch anyway. I'm looking forward to The Closer's return in a few weeks. I'll also admit that I don't mind Ghost Hunters on SciFi. It's good for summer viewing. Anything else out there I'm totally missing out on? With all my favorite shows pretty much in re-runs I'll watch just about anything - once.

Here is something to check out, though... www.sanctuaryforall.com. Some of the folks at Stargate SG-1 teamed up with a bunch of video game designers to create and all new horror/scifi/fantasy web series. Each week they post a new "webisode." Two have been posted so far and are still available. The entire series is shot over green screen then the game designers take over and turn the setting into a very cool, very gothic look. So far the show blends just the right mix of creepy and quirky. Have a look if you've not heard of it. This is where entertainment is headed and these people are leading the evolution. Heck, Jack the Ripper is apparently a character as well...

Speaking of web-based entertainment... anyone out there doing promos for your station/company website ON your website? Just curious...

Another TV season has come and gone...

I remember when this TV season started out with so much promise. Critics were saying we hadn't seen shows of this caliber in years. Funny, most of the shows they were talking about (Studio 60, The Nine, Six Degrees, etc, etc) have already been canned. I have high hopes for next season after watching the upfronts. We'll see if the networks fair any better.

I have to say, Lost, Heroes, Bones, and SVU went out with a bang. SVU will stay with me the most because pretty much every character was in some sort of emotional jeopardy. Throughout the seasons the detectives have had to bend the rules for the greater good and now those decisions have finally come back to haunt them. A very nice episode. Bones was just pure fun whereas Lost and Heroes both delivered roller coaster finales. I didn't think Lost could top Heroes, but I was very wrong. The Lost finale completely, totally, and utterly restored my faith in the show. The major character death was beautifully handled and the twist at the end means we're looking at a whole new chapter to the story. Hats off to them.

I don't have much in the way of promos to talk about today as I am on vacation. Actually it's more of a working vacation considering that I'm in the throes of a move. Painting closets, trimming the yard, packing boxes, moving boxes... Gee, I thought owning a house was supposed to be fun. When does that part start???

I am starting work on a reporter promo as well as Colts stuff for later in the year. And in case you hadn't heard, Indianapolis just lost out to Dallas for hosting a Super Bowl. That sucks quite frankly. Indianapolis is a very nice city and most of the major tourist attractions are right downtown. I know I was surprised when I interviewed for the job here. I wasn't expecting much from a capitol city whose state is known for corn, racing and basketball. I had my eyes opened very quickly and knew by the end of the interview that this was a city I would enjoy living in - and I do... except when it snows. Then all these nice Hoosiers go nuts.

Back to the Colts promos... does anyone know where I might find some cool sports spots? I've got 602 Communications bookmarked but I'm looking for additional sites. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Is it June, yet?

Another May sweeps period is about to come to a close. Is it just me or did this one seem much longer than most? It felt like the book that would never end. Probably because I've been moving into a new house over the course of the month. Not something I would recommend to another promotion professional. Moving and sweeps don't mix unless you like stressful, sleepless nights...

With the end of the book comes an end to the regular television season. My DVR can finally take a much needed breather. Anyone got any recommendations for my summer viewing pleasure? What finales rocked? Tanked? Bored? I thought Bones ended the season on a high note. Still trying to decide about Grey's Anatomy. Can't wait for Heroes and Lost. Lost was really disappointing there for a bit but I'm glad I stuck with it. It's really recovered during the back half of its season. Anyone think Charley is a gonner? I'll actually miss the little Hobbit if he is...

On the work front the summer looks to be a busy one. I'm gearing up for a lot of image campaigns and I'm currently on the prowl for cool new looks to use. I find searching graphic design houses' websites to be an awesome place to find inspiration. Sometimes it's just a color. Or maybe a transition. I'll just know it when I see it. I'm curious what others use as a tool when the creative well is feeling a little dry.

That's all for now. I've got packing to do. ***sigh***

Boldly going...

Where plenty of people have gone before. I'm finally giving this blogging thing a shot. Hopefully I won't be a complete fool at this. Time will tell.

I just wanted to create a place where I could talk shop and TV shows. Shop being what I do for a living which is make promos for 3 television stations. I won't get into the specifics of what I do unless you want me to, but suffice it to say it's my job to make the stations and their news and entertainment products look as good as possible - not to mention enticing you to watch them.

For those of you who have found this blog who do this sort of thing for a living - welcome. And please leave a comment. It's always nice to meet other people in the industry and share ideas. Basically, I'm writing this blog on the assumption that those who will read it will have some notion of what my rants and raves will be about. Promos. Especially local ones... and what it takes to make them.

The other part of this blog is to talk about prime time television - promos included. I've included a list of shows I'm obsessed with right now but it's not exhaustive. I watch a lot of TV and I make no appologies for it. I'm not much of a reality fan but America's Next Top Model is a guilty pleasure. Hopefully my list of other shows will elevate your impression of me after that little confession.

So I'll leave this blog with a few thoughts on the recent network upfronts. What new shows have your attention? Which network presented their line up best?

Let's see if anyone finds this blog and lets me know...