WEEK 4. The drama gets hot.

note: thoughts and explaintions in this blog are opinions. And also may come typed out incoherently.

The director of the school gave her notice on Monday that Friday (tomorrow) will be her last day. Although, the reason for quitting wasn't based on a problem she had with the school, but really just the problem with the proximity of her house and the location of the school. But, it really couldn't have come at a worse time.

The Duck, Duck, Goose class (the one with all the presentations...yeah that one) in effect was stepped in by corporate (aka: head office honchos in Miami) and evaluated and "re-instructed." Allow me to explain. Apparently, Miami Ad School of Minneapolis isn't running the Account Planning bootcamp the way "things are done in the real world." Annnndddd because this phrase is so well liked by people in the claimed "pre-real world" this speech went over really well by the creatives and planners. Allow me to further clarify. Miami Ad School of Minneapolis Account Planning Bootcamp should make everyone loose sleep and work their asses off until September 10 at graduation, meaning, all work must be fully executed (example: f you have a TV commercial idea for a campaign you have to actually shoot the commercial) and presented in a professional manner. Says the man wearing black socks and shower sandals. I was also told that I can sleep when the break is over. Oh, and, also, not to forget, this is advertising. So, have fun.

Don't get my wrong. This is a great idea. And over-all it is going to create a better portfolio for me and the creatives. I'm all for better work. High five, go team! And I love the account planner I'll be working with as well as the copywriter and art director. In fact. We're a pretty bad ass team. I have no doubt that they can do the work. But, it's the middle of the quarter and course expectations are drastically changed? Oh, Miami Ad School. You're the bomb. diggity.

For the end of the course final presentation the school brings in a real client for us to produce work for. Our client this year is Office Max. Some suits are flying in tomorrow to give us a briefing on the situation and expectations for a campaign. The work that will come out of this will be presented to Office Max at a corporate level, and if they like it, they're able to use our ideas and work. Fo realz. That's what I'm talking about.

Our client presentation next Wednesday will be for General Motors. This was the most difficult brand situation yet. The assignment was to decide how General Motors could re-enter the market as a brand. This was an interesting client, given the shitter GM is in with it's customers and the general public. I'm not much of a "emotional" car owner, but I'm finding out that a lot of people are. Some people freaking love their cars. And they love their brand of cars. While my fascination for this could go on, you're already disinterested, and probably stopped reading after the first sentence.

On a final closing note. I'm alive. I haven't killed anyone, yet. And I've been cooking a lot. My housemates and I have officially famed another Thursday Night Dinner tradition. Another noteworthy solid move: I took myself to a $5 matinee to see Inception, which totally blew my mind with amazingness. And, no, I haven't seen Matrix to compare the awesomeness with, sorry.
Oh, and I cut my bangs with paper scissors.

-E.

creative nonsense

Writing a blog while being in this program is proven to be more challenging than originally thought. This week has only had two days, but not having weekends means that the week really started...hmmm...three weeks ago? That's right, the bootcamp is already three weeks in the making.
I managed to keep my hands of Sharpie until this week, too. Since, I'm not a creative, I technically should never need to touch one. But in our Switching Sides class we put on the full right brained hat and step into the creative side's shoes. I particularly enjoy that class, especially since I've decided that my role in advertising stems from the fact that I am Smart Good Idea's biggest fan. There's nothing more I enjoy seeing than a few creatives getting together and putting ideas together. I mean some people get all excited about economics, love for German philosophers, animated superheros, or even sci-fi novels. Me? Really great ideas.

Tomorrow we present our creative for the Hennepin Central Library. My excitement for this can be expressed through the out pour of sarcasm in every one of these letters I've just typed. I never want to advertise a library ever again. And clearly neither does anyone else at Miami Ad School.

It looks like the APU did get a voice heard. The program director sent out a more thorough itinerary of the program today. Which is great, because I wasn't feeling stressed enough without further enforcement of how quickly things are going to go. But it does look like the school will be closed for the three days before our portfolio books are due. So, isn't that wonderful news?

In non-Miami Ad School related news, yes this is possible, the weather is absolutely lovely. Why can't Texas get it together. Highs in the mid-80s and over-night lows in the mid-60s. But I have heard that 'warm' spring temperatures are 32, 33 degrees. Fahrenheit. what. the. what?!

We'll see about all that non-sense.

-E.

APU is for you.

So apparently the Account Planners at Miami Ad School have taken upon themselves to organize and elect a president for a "Account Planner Union." I myself have never been a huge fan of the organized union. But I do however support free speech. I suppose in the long run I'm too positive and passive (if that combination ever sounded so imperfect?) to really organize complaints about anything. Except maybe if they decided to stop selling cheese and wine. There's a cause to fight for.

I pulled the famous "I'm a single woman" move today and bought myself a beautiful bouquet of flowers today at the Minneapolis Farmers Market that is held every Thursday downtown. Also, a friend of mine who works at the zoo took me for a free look around at what Minneapolis animal kingdom has to offer. There was four inches of glass between me and a 300lb swimming grizzly bear. And I realized that I could spend hours watching turtles swim. They're just so cool looking.

Our first presentation was last night. Our team, appropriately team named Gryffindor, presented a campaign for Dunkin Donuts. After a few slides of superman and the statue of liberty and the creative giving their speech it was over. Quick and dirty. That's how I love presentations. especially when they are sin powerpoint. I'm feeling a little rough with presentations and getting back into the game. I just need to push myself into it.

So I'm currently too exhausted to constructively talk about anything else.

Goodnight.

Dipping in.

Dueling pianos with only 80s numbers. That's where the cheap drinks are in downtown Minneapolis on a Wednesday night. Introduction into Miami Ad School apparently includes a Pop-Rock shot courtesy of some seasoned art directors in the program. There shouldn't be too many questions why this field is so exciting.

Classes are kicking off well. The structure of the program is completely new to me. The classes are taught by professionals in the ad industry. So, it was first time since my freshman year philosophy class that I'd heard a teacher curse in class and have them call you by their first name. It feels good to be in a learning environment again, especially a more creative one.

Classes carry on throughout the weekend, so my only true 'day off' so to speak is Thursdays. Which will be a self proclaimed "laundry-food shopping" day.

I scored myself a free bike for a few months while I'm here. The people I'm living with are well connected, so it seems. The ride to school is about 3.2 miles through the nice and lovely industrial warehouse strip along the clap filled Mississippi river. Although, the summer heat isn't nearly as intense at Texas, but biking at least six-and-a-half miles each day is going to have me looking real hot. and sweaty. So I'll be keeping a dark chocolate bar and bottle of wine at my hands for nightly tuck-in. that or a cold beer.

I've decided that I'll probably end up explaining to people for the rest of my life exactly what it is that I do. I work in advertising. Then I suppose people can make there assumptions from there. Because when I start to explain account planning people automatically think numbers. And let's all be honest, I like to claim my fame to a lot of things, but numbers is a the bottom of that list.

So I'm not sure how much I will actually be blogging. Considering I've attempted to start writing an entry for almost a week now, I'm guessing not much. But maybe every once and a while you'll get a sentence. Statement and verification of my livelihood. maybe.

Alright folks.

E.