Foolery

So Whose Idea Was Windows Vista? Crickets . . . Crickets . . .

This is Kelly. Isn't she cute?


 


(Original photo stolen from this guy)

She starred in a few Microsoft commercials this summer. Like this one. Isn't it cute?

This is Foolery, rolling her eyes.  Isn't she cute? (Please don't judge; I still have sinus issues.)

 


I hate commercials with cute kids. Not because they're cute, but because though they may be precocious, they have NO IDEA what the words mean that have been stuffed into their mouths. GAG.

Now THIS is more like it. Microsoft came up with a new campaign to market the new Windows 7, and it's absolutely brilliant.

The theme, in case you couldn't  spot it, is "I'm A PC And Windows 7 Was My Idea." Why is this brilliant, you ask? (You know you were gonna.) I'll tell you why it's brilliant! (You know I'm gonna.)

Because shortly, when Windows 7 proves to be complicated, bloated, slow, and otherwise problematic in the way of past Windows versions (can you tell I'm not a Microsoft fan? That's okay because Mac isn't paying me and I can say whatever I want), Microsoft can blame everything on all of those PCs out there who "invented" Windows 7.

Genius.

I'm A Mac, And Windows 7 Was Not My Idea, So Don't Blame Me.

The Chico Salvation Army Video Project

I've been living with one client in my head for a good chunk of the year.

This spring we were handed the kind of project I dream about. The Salvation Army of Chico has an angel in their midst who funded the production of two videos they can use to educate the public and to raise funds for their good works. I was fortunate to be able to write the scripts and help in the editing process -- the stuff I'd do every day if I could.

The hard part for me was that I had to come up with the structure on my own. We usually start with a script and gather footage and photos according to its dictates, but we had to work backwards this time. We interviewed the people whose lives had been changed with the help of the Chico Salvation Army's drug and alcohol rehabilitation program; we witnessed them as they told their stories in their own ways. Then I fashioned the script that became the frame from which their stories hung.

It was one of the most challenging and most satisfying projects I've ever worked on.

Here is the first video, which profiles on Jodene, who is not only a graduate of the rehabilitation clinic, but who is also now a member of the Chico Salvation Army's administrative team. This video runs 7:20 and focuses on the spiritual aspect of the program. Captain Darren Stratton is featured in both videos, and I have to say that we did very little editing of his appearance. The man is very bright, focused, dedicated and prepared, and whole pages of information spill out of him when the cameras are turned on.

The second video is longer at 9:47, and is centered around the way the Salvation Army helps our community. It also makes a stronger appeal for fund-raising than does the first video. The man featured on camera, Daniel, graduated during our production, and our video director Robb was there. (Robb is the true talent here, doing all of the camera work, the editing, visual effects, the audio, and designing the look and feel of the videos. I'm lucky to get to work with someone so talented and exacting.)

Finally, Robb created a public service announcement for local TV and cable.

Thanks for indulging me. This project has been a huge part of my life this year and I'm a little sad to see it end.