Posts Tagged ‘Context’
Coming Soon To a Nonprofit Near You
Posted on: July 20, 2011
I am really excited right now because I just saw an example of a pie-in-the-sky idea that I’ve been talking about for years. But before I tell you what it is, allow me to give you some context. I’ll begin with a question that I often ask people: What is your favorite part of the traditional movie-going experience?
If you’re like most individuals, you’re favorite part is the previews. I know, right! I love seeing movies on the big screen, and I love the popcorn, particularly when the butter is real, but nothing is more enjoyable than a quality mix of 4-5 trailers.
Ever wondered why we love our movie trailers so much? Upon quick reflection, it’s not so surprising. For one, previews take the most compelling scenes from a two-hour feature film and boil them down to two-minute, bite-sized nuggets of cinematic goodness. Secondly, trailers are often how we first learn of a new movie, or even better, that a long-awaited movie is close to release (is The Hobbit trailer ever going to come out!?).
But these are the obvious reasons. Push further. What fundamental attributes of movie trailers make them so darn enticing? What grabs us by the psyches and demands “you must see this movie!” What was it about this trailer and this trailer that convinced me to waste my money and my time? I assure you, there is a science to making good sneak previews and it results in millions of dollars in consumer spending each year. Read the rest of this entry »
A Matter of Perspective
Posted on: July 11, 2011
This morning, I was reading to my almost one-year-old son, Ethan, the timeless classic Goodnight Moon, when something extraordinary happened.
For the sake of context, I should say that I’ve read Goodnight Moon at least 500 times over the last few years, first with my older son who is now 4, and more recently with my younger son. It’s a great book – classic prose and beautiful illustrations. I could probably recite it by heart. In fact, I’m so familiar with the book that I hardly pay attention anymore as I read it. I mindlessly say the words and flip through the pages, hoping that my boy is enjoying the book and the quality time spent with dad on the rocking chair.
It’s also worth noting that Ethan just started mumbling some of his first basic words. His extended repertoire includes the words “Baaaah” (bear) and “Baaaaal” (ball)… that’s about it.
So back to what happened this morning that was so crazy cool… Read the rest of this entry »
