Tag Archives: Interviews

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When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

Kevin Twomey spent a few magical weeks in Italy this summer. When he shared his photos and stories with us, we suggested he share them on the blog as well.  Kevin’s account is very beautiful and reminded us of the importance of slowing down.  

“”When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”   When it comes to food, that saying won’t steer you wrong anywhere in Italy you happen to visit and enjoy a meal.

This past August I went to see the in-laws in northern Italy with my wife. We spent a week in the Alps eating, hiking and eating some more. I am a big proponent of eating home cooked meals and locally grown food and I am happy to report there was no shortage of either on my trip.

A mile up the road from my in-laws summerhouse, close to the town of Oltre il Colle, is an abandoned ski resort where a handful of cows graze at the granite peaked base of Monte Alben for the summer months. These cows belong to a local herder, Tobia. Tobia and his brother have lived amongst these mountains their whole lives. Things are much simpler than my current urban city life and it was good to see the old methods of doing things were just the present day routine for people in the surrounding villages.

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

We met Tobia and his brother as they were milking their cows. Sonoyo, my sister-in-law, gets her milk products from Tobia and thinks nothing of the daily errand that I found to be such a luxury. Tobia didn’t have any fancy milking machine, no weird tools or suction devices.  A bucket and an old wooden stool to sit on was all that was required, go figure.

After a few introductions and a brief conversation about weather, health, family and how two of his cows will be turned into Bresaola this fall, Tobia took his bucket full of fresh milk and filled up Sonoyo’s liter bottle.

A few days later we went to Tobia’s house to buy cheese. The first thing I noticed was the breathtaking view surrounding his home. Lush green rolling hills as far as the eye can see, mountains upon mountains towering over on all sides. And the garden! He had a rich array of so many different kinds of vegetables, it was quiet a sight and put my town’s community garden to shame.

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

There was a separate room devoted to storing and aging Tobia’s home made cheese. He had some that was days old to a couple years and he wanted us to taste them all. We had our tasting and made some hard choices of what to schlep back to the states. We walked away with about a two month supply.

It was refreshing to see things done old school style with little fuss producing such high quality product. Tobia has been doing things the same way his father and his father’s father and so on and so forth. Generations not obsessed with doing better but instead knowing what works is sometimes the best way to do it.”

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

If you would like to read more of Kevin’s blog posts, please link here.  He has a particularly moving post that he wrote after the earthquake in Japan.

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Whose Playlist is this?

At a recent breakfast with David Martinez, we brainstormed about some ideas for a blog post.  We went back and forth on ideas and I knew none of them were inspiring him.  When I suggested sharing a playlist from his shoots, I could tell he was excited.  So much so that I received the post before the end of that very same day.  Thank you David!

Here is what he had to share:

“Who’s playlist is this?” It’s a question I hear all the time on set when shooting. I’m lucky to work  with so many creative and dynamic people every day – each with their own array of talents, tastes and party tricks.  Their  musical leanings are equally diverse.   There is the stylist who loves the Magnetic Fields, the makeup artist with a soft spot for Gloria Gaynor and the photo assistant that knows every lyric in the Beatles catalogue. Everyone’s got their own track to add.

Music plays a really important part of how we create a happy, productive work space.  With programs like Spotify, it’s so easy to share and  learn about new music and get into the deeper cuts of long time favorite artists (Bob Dylan has a Christmas Album?!). When it’s my turn to DJ – I usually put on this mix – 1300 songs that seems to stay fresh no matter how many times I listen to them – a playlist that has little something for everyone.

 

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Birth Water- sharing a powerful series by Andy Anderson on Baptism rituals in the south.

Andy Anderson always makes time to shoot for himself.  He schedules it like it is a commercial shoot and is so committed to it that isn’t easy to get him to move the dates!  I have always admired that about him and think that so much of his success is his insistence on making time for his personal work.  He has traveled all over the world photographing more things than many will see in a lifetime.   From bull fighters in Spain to transvestites in Cuba his images are epic and enthralling. We are never disappointed when he shares what he discovered.  That is why when he returned from a trip to the deep south we were expecting something amazing.  And, boy did he deliver.

This series has been the most talked about series in his portfolio. Every portfolio show we attend, people want to know the story behind the series. I asked Andy to let us know about his inspiration.  Here is what he shared.

“A major motivation in my photography is curiosity.  So much so that I named the photography book being published by Rizzoli,  just that; Curiosity.  I am constantly exploring things and seeking out those people that excite me most.  Over the years, many of the relationships with the folks I have met have become more important to me than many of the images.  I value so much the friendship and intimacy that goes into each one of my photographs.

That said, I tend gravitate to the moments in peoples lives that are magical, powerful and sometimes even raw.  I understand that there are very few times in your existence that you are able to actually witness such sacred times so when I do I am very appreciative.   I was fortunate enough to do just that at Camel Lake Campground in Bristol, Florida.

Since I spent my childhood growing up in the deep south, I constantly am drawn back to explore a place that I love dearly. One of my dearest friends that I have gotten to know on my travels is Reverend Shearer.  Over the years I wandered into her town many times and saw countless baptisms taking place.  I always felt privileged to be there but understood that  those were private moments not to be tampered with; but only to witness.  Over the years, the friendships with both Reverend Shearer and her congregation grew.

Well, last spring, I received a call from Reverend Shearer. She told me that she would love for me to come and photograph a baptism that she would be preforming in her home town. So I “Criss Angeled” myself  the next week to Florida.  There are no words that can explain the experience.  Trust me,  the human spirit is alive and well. ”

To see more of Andy Anderson’s work, link here.  And, be sure to consider subscribing to our blog so that we you can be the first to read via email our latest entries.  (Upper right hand corner of the blog)

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Which art buyer knew in kindergarten that shopping at Target was way more fun than school?

Lisa Crawford, freelance art buyer

Minneapolis is one of my favorite places to visit when I show portfolios.  It is such a fun city that I always make sure to host a party.  It is an event I look forward to every time I go.  No matter if 10 people or 30 people show up, it is always a good time.  The reason is that everyone in Minneapolis is nice.  Everyone.

Lisa Crawford is no exception.  Over the years, between working on projects together, coordinating portfolios shows with her and enjoying her company at one of our parties, I have gotten to know Lisa well. Well, at least I thought I did.  (see below for more on that.)

When she told me that she was headed into the freelance world, I was so excited for her and the opportunities that would come her way.  I suggested that she let me share the news on our blog by way of a post about herself.  Since so many people already know how great she is, I figured it would be fun to share somethings that people had no idea about.  Surprised or not at what you read, please do repost so that everyone knows how great she is and will start considering her for freelance.

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Lisa Crawford.

1. She won the most beautiful eyes in Houston 1988 and then first runner up in most beautiful eyes in Texas contest. Yep, a legitimate event for the Prevention of Blindness organization. (only 6 people have known this up until now)

2. She has been a pescatarian for 16 years.

3. Her childhood dream was to be a background dancer on Broadway.

4. If she could do it all over again she would be a chemist and create a cosmetic, hair care and skin care line.

5. She tried to miss most of kindergarten because she wanted to go shopping at Target with her mom.

6. She knows this may be hard to believe, but she’s extremely introverted.  She just has extroverted skills.

7. If  she is going to be involved a new sport or hobby, she will only do it if I get all decked out in the newest gear and accessories.

8. She makes great fried catfish.

9. She is obsessed with Haagen Dazs caramel cone ice cream. Seriously obsessed.

10. She can’t live without music, especially old school Gospel choir music!

If you want to connect with Lisa Crawford directly, please link here.  She would love to hear from you.

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Have you ever met a rep super hero? Database god? Estimate guru? Link here.

One of my favorites series on Chris Crisman’s blog is the “Meaning of Life” series.  As he says, the title may be a little far flung to answer in only ten questions, but hopefully the interviews will serve to distill some of the inspired and intellectual energy of the creatives that they work with.”  He has interviewed many different people including photo editors, art buyers, creative directors and even a priest.  Well, now he can add super rep, database god, estimate guru and fantastic friend to his list.

His most recent Meaning of Life post features Lauranne Lospalluto.  I am sure so many of you know her, but for those of you who do not, she is my right hand at Heather Elder Represents.  She has worked with me for almost 15 years and is not only incredible at her job, but she is a dear friend as well.  What better combo?

It was fun to read Lauranne’s answers to Chris’s questions. Some of the answers surprised me, but many we very much in keeping with the Lauranne I know.  Questions numbered 6 and 10 are my favorite.

Link here to get to know Lauranne better.

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“Ancient Chinese Secret”, Huh?, Read how a penchant for collage, a love for family photo albums, and an unusually helpful HR Manager helped Julie Rosenoff find art buying.

In keeping with our Inside Art Buyer tradition, we reached out to Julie Rosenoff to see what path she took as an art buyer.  Currently, she is at Euro RSCG Worldwide as Manager of Art Buying but her resume boasts some of the greatest NY had to offer.  She is currently working on New York Life, Asus/Intel, Lysol, Finish, Resolve, Veet, Clearisil, Woolite and Claritin (just to name a few accounts!).  As you can imagine, her plate is full!  Yet, she still manages to stay inspired, be resourceful and provide her team with relevant creative direction.

When Alison McCreery of POP Blog  first sent me the interview to review for our post, I was immediately struck by Julie’s love and appreciation of old family photos.  It is special how she credits her parents for exposing her to still photography and how she still holds dear all her old family photos.  In the age of digital, this is rare.  I too, so appreciate all of the old photos in my life so it made reading what Julie shared all that more special. (link to a relevant post here).

Here is what Julie had to say:

Do you have a favorite photo of yourself that you are willing to share?  Can you tell us about it.

Yes.  The above image was taken back in the  80’s when I lived in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  It was a wonderful time in my life – when the world of possibilities lay before me.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be in Advertising. I knew from a very young age that this is what I wanted to do as a career. I loved watching TV and always enjoyed watching commercials!  But back then, I thought I’d be an Art Director.  I applied to FIT and majored in Advertising/Communications.

Once in college, I realized I didn’t want to pursue the Art Direction aspect of advertising, but I still wanted to work in that industry.  My first job was a part/time gig working at an agency called Rosenfeld Sirowitz Humphrey and Strauss.  I helped out in the accounting department, doing clerical work.  The job was completely mindless, but it gave me a sense of the energy and people that worked in an agency.  I loved it!   I received my Associates Degree from FIT and decided to join the workforce full-time.

My next job arrived at Wells Rich Greene, as an Administrative Asst. in Account Management. I can’t say I loved it either.  I knew I was not cut out for such a cut and dry type of job, dealing directly with Clients.  I knew I had to make a change. It wasn’t stimulating my creative side and I knew my skills and interests laid elsewhere.

I was fortunate enough to be able to speak freely to the head of Human Resources at the time (It was called Personnel back then!) I told her that Account Management wasn’t for me.  I needed something more creative.  She saw that I had a little bit of accounting experience and a desire to do something creative, and recommended me for a newly vacated position of Art Buying Assistant. I had no idea what Art Buying was.  But, in a short time, I realized that this was an exciting part of the advertising process.  I supported the Stock Photo Buyer and the Art Buyers.  I got to see what went into creating a print campaign.  Back then, photography was shot on neg or chrome film and retouching was done by hand.  Mechanicals were also done by hand.  The internet was fairly new and very few clients were creating advertising for that medium in 1991! I mean fax machines just came into play! I remember my first computer at work was one of those really small Macs that took floppy disks! My, how times have changed.

Over the next two decades, I moved up the ranks.  From Stock Photo Buyer at Wells Rich Greene, to Stock Photo Buyer at Ogilvy+Mather, to Art Buyer at Ammirati Puris Lintas.  Then to Bozell and to Euro RSCG Worldwide, where I still reside. I will celebrate my 12 year anniversary there in December.

Creative background/history?

I never studied photography, but have always been drawn to still images. I know it stems from the photos my parents took of me and my three siblings growing up.  They captured life events from the time we were babies and we each had our own photo album with every birthday celebration, first day of school, dance recital, little league game, school play, graduation, family vacation, etc.

The thoughtfulness and care that went in to capturing those precious moments is invaluable, and something I am very grateful that my parents did back then.  I would take out my photo album (we each had one that was all about us) and pore over each image; where was it taken, what were we wearing, what expression was on our face…. I still have that passion for that and still have that photo album in my possession.

Photography has remained an important part of my life.

How did you know in high school you wanted to work in advertising?

I think I knew what I wanted to do even before high school.  I loved commercials.

Some of the most memorable commercials from when I was little and still remember vividly were: Calgon (Ancient Chinese secret, huh?), Alka-Seltzer, (I can’t believe I ate the whole thing!) Breakstone, Charmin, Dunkin Donuts (Time to make the donuts). I wanted to be in that fun, creative world.

Earliest artistic interests?

In school, it was Paper Mache and paint. Three-dimensional pieces.

As I got older, I loved to make collages. I always collected things like travel mementos, matchbooks, lighters, pens, photos./images cut out of magazines. Each item held a sentimental value to me (kind of like photos, I guess).  I would collect all of this stuff and keep them in boxes. I decided to make collages with them so I could keep all these things and they would be in one place. I would glue everything with Mod Podge on a large posterboard canvas.  They became like time capsules on canvas for me, with each element telling a story.

Do you have any current collections?
Not really.  But if you ask my husband he would say I’m a packrat! I keep photos and sentimental items, but don’t have space for too many collections.

How do you describe your job to friends and family?

I set up photo shoots for still vs. moving. Producer. When you flip through a magazine, you see the ad, that’s what I do. All the time and effort that goes into making that picture, that’s what I do.

If you weren’t an art buyer what would you do?

I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a certificate to become a gemologist. Something that really appeals to me is the study of gems and being an expert on precious stones and antique jewelry. I absolutely love antique jewelry and have so much appreciation for the vision and creativity that went into making some of the old pieces I have seen and covet. They are works of art in their own way.

Just the other day, I had a thought that I could have gone to school for textile design. I absolutely love textiles and fabrics.  I guess it’s more of the illustration interest vs. photography.

How have your life experiences influenced your job choice?

I was fortunate enough to have the support of someone who understood what I was looking for in terms of a job and matched me with Art Buying.  I am still inspired and excited about what I do, all these years later.

What one word describes your working style?  Is it different than when you first started?

Many words.  Diplomatic. Enthusiastic. Collaborative. Trendspotter.

I’ve always had a knack (or is it good taste?) of identifying outstanding talent and sharing that with others.  I love my work more when I’m part of a team. I am an optimistic person.  I am a problem solver. I want to get the job done, done well AND have fun doing it!  When my creatives’ are happy, I am satisfied. And, coming in on budget is a must.

The only thing that is different from when I first started is I am much more self-assured.  Therefore, my decision-making skills are such that it takes a moment to answer most questions and have a viable solution to a work problem.

Do you have a personal aesthetic that comes through in the photographers whose work you are drawn to?

I know what I like when I see it. There’s not one thing.  It’s simply images that move me, evoke a feeling in me, no matter what it is. 

Trend or aesthetic you find inspiring right now?

Natural, real lifestyle.  Instagram-type photos.  At times, the imagery is less polished and more organic.  In terms of still-life, it’s stripped down, iconic imagery.

I am fortunate to have recommended some of the most amazing talent in this industry and have had the pleasure to work with them.  The most inspiring photographer we are working with now is Kenji Aoki.  His work is stunning.  It is incredible to watch a master at work as he creates art through photography.

What about the industry/your job is exciting right now?

Lines between traditional advertising mediums are blurred. We don’t talk in terms of TV and print anymore. It’s integrated and with these lines blurring, it’s creating new opportunities for us to delve into other areas like Digital media.  We’re not populating websites with crappy stock imagery anymore.  We are combining still and motion and learning new skill sets. The definition of an art buyer has changed and we must adapt, evolve and keep pace with all the new technology out there.  It’s exciting and a little intimidating too, because we are in the process of reinventing our jobs.

What do you love about your job?

I love the people I work with the most.  It’s them who make coming to work every day worthwhile.  I love being challenged to find the right talent for the project.  I enjoy researching the many possibilities of talent and sharing those people with my creative team.  It’s such a wonderful feeling when they come back to me with some amazing choices out of the people I have selected for them.

What is challenging?

We are increasingly challenged to get more for our clients for less; less time and less money.  The challenge is that the level of quality has to remain as high as it ever was.  Doing more with a lot less.

Where do you look for inspiration? Stay inspired?

I read a variety of magazines.  I follow some blogs, We have even created our own Art Buying Blog at work, where my department posts anything we feel is incredibly interesting and worthwhile sharing with the agency.  I am constantly meeting with photographers and agents and I review portfolios at various industry events.

What do you think is important to do in your personal time to keep you inspired at work?

I try to enjoy my personal time as much as possible.  The work doesn’t end when I walk out of the office –so, it’s important to me to detach as much as I can and enjoy the precious time I have with my family and in my home.  It’s very important to separate my work and home life.  I am so much more productive at work, when I’ve had a weekend doing anything not related to my job!

What at the moment do you see happening in the culture that you find inspiring or interesting?

With Social media, we’re exposed to the ‘hidden’ talents of so many. There’s an enormous wealth of talent and information out there that we never had access to before.  I mean, if you have a Facebook account, you can see these amazing photos or pieces of art that your friends have captured. Or be exposed to incredible exhibitions and installations from around the world.  It’s remarkable that you can share your talent with people you know and people you don’t know –and unknowingly influence others.

If you could change one thing in the creative industry right now, what would that be?

First is I would have a 4-day work week.  My day starts as soon as I get up and ends around 8pm.  Then, I would get rid of cost consultants!

I have always felt that they hamper the creative process.

Most art producers triple bid jobs and we’re all fiscally responsible and understand client needs. I feel the role of a Cost Consultant is unnecessary, and a seasoned Art Producer knows what things cost and what it takes to produce a quality, cost effective shoot.

If you could tell photographers one thing, what would it be?

Stay true to your craft. Keep shooting.

 On your home office walls?

A painting my parents bought in Italy back in the 60’s of a fisherman sitting on a wharf at sunset. It was hung in the living room of the house I grew up in and I have always loved the colors of that Italian sunset.

 

Favorite way to spend a Sunday?

Sleeping late. Breakfast with my family. Spending time with friends and preparing a nice meal together. Hanging out and eating basically.

One thing people reading this would find surprising about you?

I rarely watch TV now and used to be a TV junkie. I don’t have the time.

Creative hobbies or practices?

I don’t have a lot of time for personal hobbies.  I am out of the house for 12 hours each day and I have a 5 year old.  So, my free time is spent doing the things he likes to do.

 

 

Thanks for this opportunity.  It was fun.

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Birth of a Gummy Bear

When the trend started a few years back where photographers started learning to shoot video, many people wondered how a still life photographer could utilize video and still make it interesting.  Kevin Twomey has shown once again that it is entirely possible to do so by exploring yet another interesting subject, The Birth of a Gummy Bear.  When I asked him about it, here is what he had to say.

“I look at food as a still life challenge, asking myself how I would represent it in a way that stimulates the senses beyond the predictable “mmm, delicious”.   How might I evoke an emotional, rather than salivary, response?

The gummy bear imagery emerged after toying with ideas for a holiday card a couple of years ago, where I explored the after-effects of destroying
candy (mostly by smashing them to bits).  Experimentally melting some pieces, I saw how beautiful they looked as their sugars liquified.  That
led to the microwaving of gummy bears, which then led to my seeking a more precise way of melting: the hair dryer.  As I strategically melted the
gummy bears for my still shots, I noticed how beautifully the thick liquid flowed.  The dynamics were so compelling, I had to film them, not just
melting to their demise, but in a way that celebrates the creation of the beloved candy.”

To see more videos by Kevin Twomey, link to previous blog posts about other videos he created or to his website.

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Char Eisner: Old School & Still Cool!

I remember when I first started as an agent (a very long time ago!), thinking that if I could encourage Char Eisner to review  the work in our group, then I would have made it.  She was that name on the list that was the one to meet.  She worked on such big name clients that I knew if she called, I had done something right.  Well, one day she did call and today I feel fortunate enough to call her a friend.

Char’s title is Production Consultant at Leo Burnett in Chicago but she has worn many hats there.  It is no wonder that her experience is  widely known in the industry and other industry people seek out her opinion.  Char is not only professional and top rate, but she is funny, endearing and very caring.  She is right when she describes herself as a “work mom” to so many at Leo Burnett.  They are very lucky to have her.

In keeping with the Art Buyer Insider series tradition, we asked Char questions that help us learn more about her as a person, not just an art producer.  Her answers offer great insight into why working with her is such a special experience.  Leo Burnett is lucky to have her.

And, thank you Alison McCreery of POP Blog for conducting the interview on our behalf.  You always encourage people to share the most interesting things!

What did you “want to be when you grew up?”  Are you surprised where you ended up?

I wanted to get married and have kids! And guess what……I got married @19, had a baby boy @20 and had another baby boy @22!!  You bet I’m surprised where I ended up. From where I started…..suburban housewife/mom…..to where I ended up….high profile ad agency…..is staggering!

I have a smile on my face just thinking about the journey.

 What was that first moment of inspiration when you knew you would work in a creative position?

My mister, George Eisner, is my inspiration. I met him in 1967. I just turned sixteen.  He was a really funny, interesting guy who wore wing tip shoes…..talk about the suavity factor!  PLUS he was an artist!! He introduced me to all things art and arty. He was a marvelous influence on me and still is.

When our oldest boy entered Junior High, the mister told me his rep was looking for an assistant and I should interview for the job. I got hired and have been in the ad business ever since.

What roles have you held at Leo Burnett?

I’ve been an Art Buyer, Art Producer, Department Head and am currently an Art Production Consultant, a true hybrid position. As many Clients have external cost consultants, Leo Burnett tapped a group of Agency people of various backgrounds and created their own internal version. I learned to take the best of Char from my earlier roles and pair it with the watchful eye of a cost consultant. It took a bit of getting used to but I’m very comfortable with the role now.

How do you work with clients as an internal cost consultant?

Let’s say I’m working on a Miller-Coors project. At the very onset I meet with my Producer and Business Manager. Project specs are created and sent out to the Vendors to quote. As soon as the estimate comes in, I red line anything glaring and/or make production notes on best places, if any,  to trim.  Then I meet with the team to discuss my findings.  If there is justification for a line item in question, I won’t force the issue, as, for me, it’s all about maintaining the caliber of the work.

The estimate then goes to the Client’s cost consultant for another look/see. By this time there should be very little, if any, additional budget slashing. That means I’ve done a good job!

How do you not compromise creativity while finding a workable budget?

There is ALWAYS a way to solve the problem without compromising the integrity of the work. A large part of my job is to help provide viable solutions because at the end of the day the goal is to put together an ad that everyone attached to can be proud of.

Did you always love photography?

Yes, I have always loved photography. The mister introduced me to classic black and white photography when we first met and it all spiraled from there. I have a “fun with photos” file at home that I use to create cards by swapping out peoples heads and writing weird copy.

Growing up, what were your creative interests?

I used to draw cartoon strips in grade school and they almost always had something to do with nuns!  That’s what happens when you go to Catholic school!  Then about twenty years ago I did a self portrait that the mister turned into a rubber stamp (see image at the top of the page). I still look like it too.

How have your life experiences influenced your job choice?

I’ve been married for 40+ years. I have a very happy home life and am a very contented person. Consequently I bring a sense of stability which, in the crazy pace of advertising life is a definite asset.

Being a parent…especially raising boys….also prepped me for the role I play here at Burnett.

I allowed my boys a lot of freedom but reined them in when they needed it. I feel creative people need lots of space but also a responsible adult who can keep them in check. I am work mom to a lot of people over here.

I was also very involved with the local PTA when my boys were little. I had a knack for creating fun ways to generate money for the school as well as producing community events that required staying in budget.

Have you always loved photography and how do you keep the same level of inspiration you had when you started your job?

Yes I have always loved photography. And as far as keeping the level of inspiration up, I host the weekly Agency Portfolio Review Tuesday. It’s a two hour window for Creatives and Producers to pop in and see what’s new and cool in the world of photography and illustration. The events are very well attended. I get great feedback from the Creatives plus the Agents are thrilled to have such a lively venue to show off their work. Heather Elder even wrote a blog post about it last year! I was honored!

I’m also very fond of At Edge and The Workbook, two terrific Industry resources.

What one word describes your working style?  Is it different than when you first started?

The word is “direct”. Let’s cut to the chase. You might not like hearing what I have to say, but at least you know where you stand. Lucky for me most people find this approach engaging and refreshing.

I’ve always been this way so no difference from when I first started.

How do you describe your job to your mother or someone not in our industry?

To most non-ad people I suggest they walk into any McDonalds and check out all the posters and signage. I tell them I help in the selection of photographers and guide my Producers in negotiating the estimates to ensure the Client feels like he is getting a bargain and the shooter feels he is being fairly compensated.

As far as my 92 year old mom Rosie goes, she came to the office once with an Uncle who was in from San Francisco. He was beyond impressed by the size of my office at the time and totally enamored with what I did for a living. Rosie, on the other hand could have cared less, her main concern being where we would be going for lunch! Rosie is the reason I am so grounded in reality. Thanks Ma!

What do you think is important to do in your personal time to keep you inspired at work?

I spend a lot of time with family and good friends. This makes me happy and this keeps me centered. My personal life is very different from my work life and I need that balance to be effectively inspired.

What do you love about your job?

I love collaborating with my Producers and Creatives. They trust my opinion and look to me for guidance and direction. Our working relationship is based on mutual trust and genuine respect. I feel very fortunate.

I also love mentoring the interns and new hires. I recognize core qualities and life skills that will help them in their blossoming careers and I nurture them accordingly.  Besides learning the specifics of the job, they also need to learn how to interact with the people they will be working with.

And for the record, my interns fare very well…..the only one not hired by Leo Burnett ended up at Google San Francisco. They all have made me very proud.

What about the industry/your job is exciting right now?

Social media as a selling tool. I attended a training series that was all about social media and the role that it plays in advertising. There is a whole new world out there that’s only just starting to be explored.  The opinions people post can make or break a Client’s product . Everyone has a voice these days and people are not shy about expressing themselves. The silent majority is officially dead.

Favorite way to spend a Sunday?

I love playing in my gardens especially if the mister and the Chicago boy come out and play too.  Actually anytime I can spend with family is great! I love them!

One thing people reading this would find surprising about you?

I think what people find most surprising is how old I really am. I don’t mind saying I turned 60 last year. Although I’m a well seasoned geezerette, I don’t look like one and I sure don’t act like one either!  One of my business managers once gave me the compliment, “you are old school but you are still cool”.  I really like that! Although this can be a hard business for older people, I’m still bringing something relevant to the party.  And I will continue to do that as long as I am here.

How do you stay relevant?

I look to the Industry publications, the email links to websites and of course the weekly portfolio review. I listen to what my Producers and Creatives want/need and research accordingly which is a great way to learn new things. And I hang tight with the young ones who are a million times more technologically savvy that I am!

If you weren’t a production consultant, what would you do?

I would love to be Food Stylist. Not only am I comfortable in the kitchen but am very into how to make prepped food look pretty on a plate. I think I could be a decent Prop Stylist too.

What at the moment do you see happening in the culture that you find inspiring or interesting?

Social Media inspiring relevant social change. All the political turmoil in Egypt, Tunisia and Libya was directly a result of social media. Facebook and Twitter made it happen. It’s scary and cool all at the same time. 

If you could change one thing in the creative industry right now, what would that be?

Too many emails! The human touch is so where it’s at. People crave it. There are only so many hours in a day that you can stare at your computer before your eyes cross and your head explodes! I’m very face time/hands on with my people and they respond very well to it. That sense of humanity brings out the best in people.

If you could tell photographers one thing, what would it be?

Dare to be different. Either in your subject matter, the approach taken to get the shot or even camera choice. Figure out what separates you out from the pack and run with it.

Do you have a favorite photo of yourself that you are willing to share?  Can you tell us about it?

The leopard shirt photo was taken last September on my 60th birthday. The dawn of a new decade is a big deal especially since the following day I had surgery that took me out for 6 weeks and involved months of rehab! Yikes! But I was mentally prepared and very well taken care of by the mister, family and my many friends so I made it through and life is great again.

And, here’s an illustration by the late great George Toomer that I found in Workbook some years ago that looks just like me! When I came upon it, I simply had to call him and give him a hard time about unauthorized usage of my likeness! Poor guy. He was so happy to hear I was just kidding he sent me a huge poster of the art and signed it “to my new best friend Char Eisner”.

Creative hobbies or practices?

I love gardening. I’m a terrific cook and baker.  I’m also a garage /estate sale junkie. I collect  vintage things like grandma tablecloths and retro kitchenware.

Latest discovery?

Mad TV on the Cartoon Network.  I grew up reading Mad Magazine and to see it in motion is really great fun.

I recently rediscovered The Kinks, a totally underrated 60s rock band. Check out “Superman” if you get a chance.

And last but not least…..honey bees! My Chicago boy recently installed a beehive in our back yard.

It’s way cool to observe if you’ve never been around one before. There’s a reason why they are called busy bees! Thankfully no stings so far.

On your home office walls?

Whoops…..I don’t have a home office but at work I have several screened pieces of art done by my NYC boy, my own self portrait, the 2012 Men of Movember calendar featuring Agency people with cheesy mustaches and a pair of ruby slipper earrings my mom gave me so I will always know there’s no place like home.

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The People Burn Project – An artist works 8 months to create a sculpture just so it can be set on fire.

People Burn Project - Kevin Twomey, paper sculpture

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

Kevin Twomey recently worked on a project that was unlike any other he had experienced in his career.  It was called “The People Burn Project.”  A project created by Fitzgerald + Co. for Bulwark, a company that make flame-resistant clothing.  Their message is powerful, “Because people aren’t fireproof.”

A mere description of the project could never do it justice so be sure to link to the Bulwark site to watch the 8 month time-lapse video, review the  stills from the day of the burn and to watch the video about the project.

Here is what Kevin had to say about the project:

“In April I went to Los Angeles to photograph a paper sculpture, 16’ in diameter, built by Jeff Nishinaka, an incredibly talented, world-renown artist. Taller than me by a couple of feet and as long a van, the structure took 8 months to build, 2 days to piece together, 2 days to photograph in the studio,  but only minutes to burn.

The project was part of a campaign, created by Fitzgerald + Co. for the company Bulwark who makes flame-resistant apparel. The message was wonderfully simple: paper is no less fragile than life.

With a very tight schedule, needing to photograph numerous angles in a day, we decided we would turn the set into a giant 16′ lazy susan and spin it around until we got the right lighting and camera position. It was a perfect and simple solution.

Artist Jeff Nishinaka had created such wonderful detail and character in the figures that the lighting approach for these figures was obvious:  bring these figures to life by bringing out as much detail and dimensionality as possible.

After the still shots of the sculpture were complete it was dismantled and reassembled in a quarry outside of LA. The final step to this project was filming it while it burned into nothing. Watching this was quite extraordinary. As it was burning I glanced over at the artist. I figured he would be sad to watch so many hours of his work go up in smoke but I was surprised to see that he was enjoying the process from beginning to end.”

Kevin Twomey - People Burn project - Paper sculpture

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

Kevin Twomey - People Burn project - Paper sculpture

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

Kevin Twomey - People Burn project - Paper sculpture

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

Kevin Twomey - People Burn project - Paper sculpture

© Kevin Twomey – http://www.kevintwomey.com

Click here for Time Lapse Video of Paper Sculpture Creation

Click here for Video Interview with artist and information about the project

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Now you too can know what is so great about Suzee Barrabee of Goodby Silverstein & Partners

For those of you know Suzee Barabee, you will know what I mean when I say Suzee is one of the most professional, knowledgeable and creative art producers out there.  It is no wonder she is Director of Print and Art Production at Goodby Silverstein and Partners.  

Suzee was one of the first art producers I met when I moved to San Francisco and I always admired her style, approach to her job and connection to photography.  It was on a Polaroid campaign with Hunter Freeman that I got to know her better.  I will always remember that shoot because the team had to construct a house set for  an alligator to live under (a real one!) and teach a dog to poop on command.  The production was crazy and the concepts were hysterical.  Suzee was so excited about the campaign and knew that they images would be amazing.  She worked hard to make sure everyone had what they needed all along the way – which was a lot.  She was of course professional and detailed.  Mostly though she was fun to be around.  She kept everyone on track and stayed true to the vision.  It is no surprise then that these images are iconic and still live on Hunter’s archive pages.

While our paths didn’t always cross, we stayed in touch and often reached out to each other for advice.  I always appreciated that Suzee would return my calls and offer insight for a challenge that wasn’t her own.  I also enjoyed sitting on panels with her thoughtout the years and listening to her points of view.  I respect so much what she has done with her career and feel fortunate to call her my friend. I was so happy when she agreed to be interviewed by Alison McCreery for our Art Buyer Insider series.

Enjoy…

What did you “want to be when you grew up?”  Are you surprised where you ended up?

I come from a family of attorneys and studied economics in college. I took an interest and aptitude test after college and it suggested I’d be a good librarian. I thought that would be so interesting to be in this great world of books, but wasn’t quite as interested in the idea of being a librarian.

But I never had a clear idea of what I wanted to be. When I was growing up, it was always ballerina or actress. Never a real, practical path. I didn’t know what was out there. My brother knew he wanted to be a lawyer and my sister was very mathematical and scientific. I wanted to be artistic, but I wasn’t inherently artistic. I can’t draw or paint, the traditional silos of art. There’s a whole world out there, but as a kid things are so defined and have labels. I didn’t know that there were jobs that exist that encompass art and business and that are not so clearly defined or labeled.

What was that first moment of inspiration when you knew you would work in a creative position?

I don’t know if I had that first moment of inspiration. I fell into my job in art producing. I was picking an industry and work environment that I thought would suit me and was lucky enough to fall into print and art production and learned and developed a real love for the field.

What was your path to becoming at an art producer?

The first agency I worked at was a small local ad agency that did the advertising for the local McDonald’s and Northern California Toyota dealers. I was the assistant to the CD and he left shortly after I started. I was then adopted by the production department. I had a wonderful boss and vendors who were very patient and I managed to learn on the job about print production.

From there I went to another agency and was laid off after three months. In the time I was there I met a woman who ended up working at Goodby and recommended me to Max Fallon who was the head of print production and art buying. (Most agencies have separate departments, but Max felt very strongly that these two disciplines should be together and we have continued that tradition.)

It was a department of two people and his only employee was going on maternity leave. Max asked me if I could do “paste-up” just in case I needed to rush an ad mechanical out. I sort of stretched the truth and said “YES”. He then asked me if I could do art buying and well, again, I said “YES” in the hope that I could figure it out as I went along. So I was hired as a freelance print producer and art buyer. And I got lucky that the woman on leave decided to take the opportunity to stay at home with her child. And 24 years later, I run the print and art production department.

Growing up, what were your creative interests?

I was more athletic than artistic. I did gymnastics for a long time. I didn’t have a strong, creative-centric background—I came to it later in life. I grew up thinking creativity was judged by being able to paint and draw and to paint it right. It wasn’t looked at as a state of mind.

We grew up going to plays and museums, so I was around a lot of art, but it wasn’t something you were a part of. It was more for knowledge and culture than inspiration.

How have your life experiences influenced your job choice?

I realized very early in my career that I needed to be happy in my work. And to be happy meant being in a creative and unstructured type of work environment. I wanted to be able to grow in a job and keep learning new skills. I wanted to work with people who inspired me. And most of all I wanted work to be fun. I didn’t have that in my first job out of college and I realized how that affected every part of my life. I have been so very fortunate to have found that at GSP. (I keep repeating how fortunate and lucky I have been!)

What one word describes your working style?  Is it different than when you first started?

Teamwork–or to be specific–Collaboration. As producers we bring people together. That’s really the unofficial definition of a producer. Our job is to bring various resources together to make the process work.

I try to foster this in the department. I tell people this all the time – that it’s teamwork. And the more everyone is working towards the same goals the more fun it is and the more chance you have at greater success. There always has to be a defined and cohesive vision that everyone is working towards. And if you don’t have that shared vision and that defined path, then no team is going to work well together or succeed. Otherwise it can be a disaster.

The other side of that coin is that it’s important that people have a sense of ownership for their projects. It makes people proud of their work and the role they played in the success of a project.

How do you describe your job to your mother or someone not in our industry?

It’s so hard because everyone’s first reaction is ‘you make the ads?’ or ‘you shoot the photography?’ or ‘you make the illustration?’ It’s so hard to describe that you bring all the elements together and create the final product. Because my mom’s a lawyer I use words like negotiate and budget and facilitate. That’s the context she understands.

What about the industry/your job is exciting right now?

The evolution right now is interesting. It’s almost limitless what you can do with technology changing as it is. You can create and distribute anything and have your images seen in so many different environments and so many different ways. But conversely, having the infinite possibilities detracts from the tradition and the craft sometimes. I like to think that there’s room in this world for user-generated content and iPhone snapshots to beautiful platinum prints.

Top 5 jobs you would love to have?

I would love to work for a foundation and give money away. It would be my top job.

I would also like to be one of those secret hotel testers and go around the world and stay at the luxury hotels and resorts. I don’t want to be a travel writer because I don’t to have to write about it. I also wouldn’t want to have to be the mean one, so I’d be more constructive. I love travel, so really anything with travel.

Professional TV watcher (see question about guilty pleasures below)

Top 10 jobs for which you are especially unsuited?

Dental hygienist. No explanation needed (but thank goodness for the people who do that job).

Toll taker. Anywhere.

Any job at the NY department store Century 21.

Brain surgeon. Because we’re always saying ‘it’s not brain surgery.’

Do you have a personal aesthetic that comes through in the photographers whose work you are drawn to?

I think I’m very classic and simple. I’m old-fashioned and like the photojournalistic, captured moment as opposed to the forced or staged moment. And not so manipulated, honest. A lot of photographers are good at creating an environment and letting people react within the environment and have some control but let happenstance take over in that setting.

However each creative assignment has its own specific needs. And it’s one of the best parts of our job in finding the right talent for the right project. I like the discovery process of finding someone new or someone that I haven’t previously had the pleasure of seeing their work.

What at the moment do you see happening in the culture that you find inspiring or interesting?

We can belong to limitless communities and an unlimited number of different communities. It’s hard to explain. There’s a very interesting thing happening, a massive sharing of interests and ideas. We can connect with like-minded people without ever meeting them or knowing anything about them. The amount of information and inspiration is multiplying. It’s almost overwhelming. It’s a world of finding common interests and using it as a resource and inspiration.

If you could change one thing in the creative industry right now, what would that be?

I would love to change the notion that print is dead. I think that people still react to the tactile world and not everything lives on the screen. I think people still like to touch and use that sense to interact with things as opposed to just engaging sight and sound.

But, I do subscribe to magazines on both my iPad and in print and I believe there’s room for both.

If you could tell photographers one thing, what would it be?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing!

Just shoot, shoot, shoot and provide lots of options.

Get it in camera versus trying to fix anything in retouching (but this is more what I tell my art directors).

We want to make them look good and highlight their talents and artwork as much as they do.

We’re all on the same team.

And most of all, we appreciate all the hard work and endless hours that we probably take for granted. I don’t think they hear this enough.

Favorite way to spend a Sunday?

Going for walks with my dog (she’s a Chug–part chihuahua/part pug) and going to the movies with friends. Enjoying the city and the world. Nothing special, but always something fun. Relaxing and letting my mind relax. Having no obligations. Time to relax is such a rarity.

One thing people reading this would find surprising about you?

(See Guilty Pleasures below) Beyond that, I’m kind of a clothes hound. My motto is quantity over quality. I love shopping but rarely spend a lot of money. I think people who know me know this. This is one of the reasons I couldn’t have been a dental hygienist—I could never wear a uniform every day.

 Creative hobbies or practices?

In my mind I’m a crafter and I have all these great ideas. But I’m not an executor, which is why I think I default to shopping.

 On your home office walls?

A giant map of the United States. I would have a world map too but I don’t have enough room. It is so interesting to see where things are, where I’m going and where I’ve been. I just love to travel and think it’s fascinating. I’m pretty sure there’s a Chicken, Alaska and it’s amazing to think about who lives there.

Guilty Pleasures?

I love TV because all day long I talk to people and people expect me be thoughtful and have smart answers. TV doesn’t need me to respond. My favorite show right now is AMC’s Walking Dead.

I also love shopping, especially vintage stores and the vintage clothing fairs.

Do you have a favorite photo of yourself that you are willing to share?  Can you tell us about it.

The photo above was taken when I was four. We used to get our photos taken for our holiday cards and I would always blink every time they took the photos. And they would say ‘keep your eyes open.’ So I was holding my eyes open and (ironically) I didn’t like the photographer and was scared of him. So the only way I would have the photo taken is if I could have my finger puppets on my fingers. I remember the dress I was wearing. It was blue plaid and I think it had a petticoat. I would have worn it every day.

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