Great ideas come in twos (or more)

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But as is drilled into us from a very young age, taking someone else’s idea and simply passing it off as your own is cheating. The advertising industry in particular treads a fine line, especially when the rest of us will jump on the slightest opportunity to call plagiarism. TV3 learned that lesson all over again this week when its latest promo turned out to be a near carbon copy of a Playstation 3 ad, only substituting our own Dai Henwood for American comedian Kevin Butler.

As James Hurman writes, “we suspect plagiarism frequently and enthusiastically. Is it simply a thirst for scandal? Or is there more to it?” He sets out in search of answers—and finds some surprising truths.

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For the love of language

To celebrate Maori Language Week, kapai.tv is publishing an audio-visual online learning event online every three minutes, 24/7, for the next 28 days. Ambitious, yes; impossible, no. It has assembled the scripts and has got the graphics. Now all that’s left is finding fluent te reo speakers to step up to the plate and lend their voices. Director Paul Ransfield says it will demonstrate how linguists and subject matter experts from Kaitaia to the Bluff can supply learners around the globe, and that going forward, suppliers can expect a royalty-based contract for the use of their voice or graphic or script. Basically, if it gets played online, they’ll get paid. To get started, first check out the phrases that need audio on the website. Then find a friend with an iPhone or similar, record your narration using voice memo and send it to voices@freelearn.tv.

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Envisage the future

Free tonight? Why not come along to a lively networking event and talk based around advertising’s ever-evolving technologies? Industry speakers Ganesh Raj (Oktobor); Wayne Pick (Rapp) and Mark Pickering (AmbientX) will focus on new developments and opportunities in advertising and lead audience discussions. It’s a joint venture between CoLab and Film Auckland, to be hosted at the AUT conference centre. Best of all, it won’t cost you a cent. To register, email CoLab coordinator Katrina Bell at katrina.bell@aut.ac.nz.

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Coast to coast

Levi’s went all out to film its latest, slightly dizzying stop-motion advertisement by snapping 2,770 photographs of a young man walking across the full breadth of America, and it’s paid off; in just a week, it’s racked up more than a million views and counting. It starts off with a shot of him setting off from the Brooklyn Bridge and making his way to the West Coast without breaking a sweat. Yep, each and every one of those frames was snapped while the model posed for a still. But as if that wasn’t enough of an undertaking, they also shot real-time video footage as a guide in order to achieve the most realistic impression of movement.

Suit up for Semi

With just weeks to go until Semi-Permanent 2010, now’s the time to secure your spot. Let your creative genius flow and win yourself tickets (plus have your work showcased in the 2011 Semi book) at WeCanCreate. Or simply share one thing you love at paperrevolution.co.nz to go in the draw to win one of four VIP prize packs. Although the earlybird passes have come and gone, it’s not too late to snap up a general admission ticket; $290 will ensure your place on both days, or $150 if you happen to be a student.

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A story worth telling

Murray Thom left school at 15, yet by 23 he was already managing director at CBS Records New Zealand. He then went on to start Personalised Plates and released a series of top-selling productions like the ten-CD collection Together, which Oprah named her “Favourite Thing” of the year. And if you come along to the next Creative Entrepreneurs evening meet-up on August 4, you can hear him telling his extraordinary story first-hand.

It’s brought to you by Idealog and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, which describes the meetup like this: “Build your connections and knowledge while socialising over fine wine and canapés at an event designed especially for innovative, enthusiastic, creative entrepreneurs.” No need to tell us twice. Tickets are $37 for members and $47 for non-members; to register, email events@chamber.co.nz.

Go with the flow

At first glance this might look like an unnecessarily cannibalised skateboard, but it’s actually rather functional. The Flowlab’s 14 wheels means it handles much like a snowboard, and can lean up to 45 degrees rather than the mere 25 that a regular four-wheeled skateboard manages. As designers Mike Simonian and Pieter Schouten put it, “the Flowlab allows you to surf without waves and ride with snow”.

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Second life

With a little imagination, even the most unloved appliances can get a second shot at life. These repurposed plumbing fixtures make for some pretty cool desk lamps. Given the chance to shine away from boring basins or overloaded sinks, taps can be just as ornamental as anything else.

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Double or nothing

When you’re all out of parking options and horizontal space is scarce, the push of a button is all it takes to conjure up a spot almost out of thin air (well, out of the ground). Cardok effectively doubles your parking space in less than 30 seconds, and it’s safe as houses too.

Beyond pedal power

Like most other students, Nicholas Homer didn’t need much to be happy. But zooming around campus on a motorised, wheelchair-powered couch turned out to be too much to ask. Still, it’s far from the first time that someone’s decided to hit the road on a lounge suite and clashed with authorities.

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Quote of the week

“Copying someone else’s idea is creativity’s most detestable sin. And in our highly competitive field, it’s just the thing we hope our contemporaries have been up to.”

— James Hurman on the cut-throat world of advertising

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