I've just returned from an impromptu trip to Park City, Utah, to attend the "Art & Copy" premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. "Art & Copy" is a documentary that concentrates on the great part of advertising - and yes, there is a great part. I ended up in this business because of two men I admire more than I can describe here in words, David Kennedy and Dan Wieden. I admire them for their straight-up, no-bullshit attitude and their desire to create and communicate honest and meaningful messages to the world by cleverly drafting off the very few brave clients in this industry.
I was invited to the premiere by one of the films' creators, another man I greatly admire, Kirk Souder. Upon arrival, I was blown away to find not only Dan and David standing there, but also Lee Clow, Rich Silverstein, George Lois and Robert Redford? Wow. By the way, George Lois is one of the funniest people I've ever met and next time I'm in NY, I'm going to beg him to meet with me just to hear more of his stories.
"Art & Copy" pays tribute to other ad legends as well, such as Bill Bernbach (VW "think small"), Phyllis Robinson (Clairol "me generation"), Hal Riney (Insured Ronald Reagan's reelection), Mary Wells Lawrence ("I love NY") and Cliff Freeman ("Where's the beef?"). Shout out to Phyllis and Mary who achieved what must have seemed impossible back when advertising was still rampant with misogynous Mad Men pigs. Not like today. Ha ha. Ha.
I really hope the film is distributed, for two reasons. One, because it's one of the only lengthy interviews ever given by Hal Riney, who passed away in March of last year, and two, because listening to the fearless drive these women and men had to embrace change, follow their instincts and challenge failure is absolutely what we need more of right now. I left invigorated and inspired and ready to take on whatever comes my way.
Click the link to watch an interview with these guys just after they saw the film for the first time.
Art & Copy
Director: Doug Pray ("Hype!", "Scratch", "Surfwise")
Original Concept: Kirk Souder, Greg Beauchamp
Screenwriter: Timothy J. Sexton
Executive Producers: Kirk Souder, Greg Beauchamp, David Baldwin, Mary Warlick
Producers: Jimmy Greenway, Michael Nadeau
Cinematographer: Peter Nelson
Editor: Philip Owens
Music: Jeff Mart
Wow, sounds like a good time 2 me. My fingers are crossed about distribution also. Nothing like a healthy shot of inspiration. Peace
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