1) Be selective about what you agree to shoot for others and yet shoot for yourself whatever you feel will advance your craft and give you pleasure.
Don’t be fooled to think you can save a bad idea or script through execution.
You are only as good as your last job.
Partner with others. A great editor can make or break a film.
Understand your audience.
2) Don’t chase money or title, when you have produced great work, both will chase you.
Explore all opportunities and only work at a place that values creativity above all else and the role production plays in it.
Always understand the business problem the work you are producing is aiming to solve.
Collaborating is where you find the magic.
Take a chance on up-and-coming directors, like you, they are starting out and need opportunities to prove themselves.
Listen more than speak, but know when to speak up.
Don’t be afraid to fail but be sure to have a “Plan B” up your sleeve.
3) I learn something new every day and yes, new technology, of course can surprise and delight and advance our craft but it’s people that never cease to surprise me. Recently, a small team of DDBers went off and produced some inspiring work aimed at tackling the lack of diversity in our business. “Black Out Loud” is a series of films, featuring accomplished African American leaders in the creative and advertising communities, sharing their journeys. Schools and universities, such as VCU Brandcenter, are now using “Black Out Loud” as a recruiting tool to encourage African American students to consider advertising as a career. No client, no brief, no budget, just a genuine desire to make a difference.
4) DDB’s Skittles Super Bowl ambush this year was brave and totally unique. What client wants to produce a huge Super Bowl ad and not share it with 100 million people? The answer, our amazing Skittles clients. With a teaser campaign featuring David Schwimmer, media buzz, a huge Super Bowl worthy production and yet only one lucky person, Marcos Mendendez, got to see it. The rest of the world got to see Marcos viewing the ad on Facebook live.
