1. What are the biggest challenges/threats facing the industry in the near future?
The traditional ad is not dying, but becoming less potent. This means everyone needs to create alternate creative outlets and revenue streams. So forging contacts in new forms of media, being open to working across multiple media platforms, and being open to collaborating with brands to create original music is key.
2 What are the industry’s biggest strengths at the moment?
Same as above, because this opens up the creative possibilities so much it’s a very exciting time to be in the business.
3. What upcoming trends could change the way people in this industry work?
Well at least for us, technology is allowing our creatives to work from just about anywhere. We have composers in more traditional studios but also people writing tracks from their tour vans or various locations/time zones it allows us to open studios where our talent is instead of where our clients are....it's a new way of working and a different kind of business model. For us musicians, it allows us to work in this world while keeping our lifestyle and our bands alive and touring and recording all over the world.
4. What was the project (film, TV or Web) that most impressed you in the last year? Why?
Radiohead making their new album downloadable for free or any price the consumer wants to pay. It was revolutionary, they kind of embraced the fact that no one is really buying music in the traditional way anymore and that people are going to share it anyway, so why not make it free and available from the get go? This way, they kept the consumer information and created a database of fans to target them later with the box set and the singles they just posted for fans to remix. They really learned who their fans are and how much they are worth to them.
5. Name the top 4 artists in your Ipod?
Radiohead, Liars, Boys Noize, Okkervil River
Black Iris Sets the Tone for Al Gore's We Campaign and The Alliance for Climate Protection Press Release
Black Iris, the bicoastal music collective of musicians working within the advertising and entertainment industry, sought to compose a driving, upbeat call to arms for the pressing We initiative established by The Alliance For Climate Protection organization (www.wecansolveit.org). The website was started in response to the world's growing climate crisis and addresses issues of change, solutions for progress, and showcases video spots that speak directly to our persevering spirits. Nobel Laureate and former Vice President Al Gore continues to passionately advocate for solutions to the climate crisis. The We campaign was created to help engage and activate the public on the issue, broadly shifting public opinion past a 'tipping point' and compelling our leaders to take the bold action needed to solve the crisis. In Anthem, airing both on broadcast TV and the web, we are treated to the most recent attempt to shake the nation, and the Black Iris collective created the soundtrack that bolsters the powerful messaging and iconic visuals. Narrated by famed actor, William H. Macy, we are bombarded with an identifiable portrait of American history. The piece proudly proclaims that "we didn't wait to storm the beaches at Normandy, or wait for someone else to start the civil rights movement, or to put someone on the moon." Therefore, we as Americans cannot wait to step up to our responsibility to the planet and our very nature of survival. Black Iris was able to capture the moments of the spot with an inviting musical score that quietly speaks volumes, without feeling over-produced. The brilliantly simplistic tone of the whole piece beautifully mirrors the fact that the solution itself is one simple adjustment after another to our chaotic lifestyles. Black Iris brings us back to a more nostalgic era where we could take on any challenge and come out on top. Wecansolveit.org is making the same proclamation about our current capabilities, reminding us that change starts with everybody and it starts right now.
Credits:
Client: Alliance for Climate Protection
Spots Title: "We Can't Wait" Anthem
Air Date: April 2008
Agency: The Martin Agency
CD: Sean Riley
Art Director: Ty Harper
Copywriter: Raymond McKinney
Broadcast Producer: Brian Camp
AP: Katie Chirgotis
Prod Co: Stock Footage - Getty
Editorial/Post: Thoughtstream Media, VA
Editor: Scott Malkie
VFX: Superfad, NY
Music/Composer: Black Iris Music, VA
Audio Post/Sound Design: Rainmaker Studios, VA
Engineer: Jeff McManus
Mixer/Sound Designer: Mike O'Connor
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1. What are the biggest challenges/threats facing the industry in the near future?
