This is a beautiful ad in almost every possible way. The visuals and the music are simply lovely, and that actress is very easy on the eyes.
But I can’t help but think it’s largely inspired by the very viral Oren Lavie music video for Her Morning Elegance. Not that I consider it a direct rip-off (I don’t believe it is). I just wish the folks in advertising could bring a little more originality to the table. Or least let the source of inspiration age awhile before they offer up their own version of it.
This topic has been similarly covered here, too, which is a link I found via the comments here. That link goes to a blog post by Steven Heller that addresses the source of inspiration for the Amex faces ads, which I never even doubted was Francois and Jean Robert’s famous photos. In fact, it seemed so obvious to me, I didn’t even address it in my post about those ads, other than to quietly mention its conceptual unoriginality. Oddly enough, with their newest incarnation (see below), I think they’ve attempted to capitalize on the success of the first and only managed to wear out their welcome. I guess that makes today’s Waffler a two-fer.
What say ye? Pr*tty or Sh*tty?
Posts
"I just wish the folks in advertising could bring a little more originality to the table. Or least let the source of inspiration age awhile before they offer up their own version of it."
ReplyDeleteThe Kindle ad was not produced by an agency, but by some amateur filmmakers who won a contest:
http://bantozai.multiply.com/video/item/4/The_Winner_of_Amazon_Ad_Contest_for_Kindle
Just sayin'.
Thanks for that info... news to me. Either way, I maintain that the piece comes a little closely on the heels of the Lavie video to be a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteIt's also disconcerting to see spec work on such a large scale at work here. http://www.no-spec.com/
Pr*tty.
ReplyDeleteHaving never seen the originals before, both ads served only to introduce me (through you of course). We could do with more people copying good work instead of using bad original work.
The kindle ad is beautifully done by the way...I've never seen it before.
oh I think they are both undoubtedly pr*tty. and I'm don't think the Kindle piece too closely resembles the music video. It feels to me that they both utilized the technique to tell pretty different stories.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you could argue its like Fantastic Mr. Fox is to Rankin-Bass. Or is it more like Wallace & Gromit is to Nightmare before Xmas?
spec work and competitions are most definitely sh*tty
I think that the whole aspect of stop-motion and hand drawn design is very "in" these days. I don't think the lavie video was the only inspiration; I think the art world as a whole are more drawn towards a handmade aesthetic nowadays...I don't have any solid proof but I go to art school and that's just what I see nowadays.
ReplyDelete