See you Tonight, at the Italian Community Center.

4 Comments on "See you Tonight, at the Italian Community Center."

1. 

   Dan Augustine · September 15, 2008 at 11:11 am ·

   I’m going to post this on the AdWorker message board:

   I used to be in theatre.

   Prepping for roles like Nathan Detroit and Will Rogers, myself and my cohorts would spend months rehearsing for two weeks worth of performances. The culmination of our work resulting in that magnificent, gratifying bow to thunderous applause every night (three times on weekends). The last performance of the run the actors would share the the applause with the “techies” – those awkward, affected stage hands, dressed in all black that had no business in front of any live audience. But for all of their…’weirdness’ they were responsible for the sets, the lights, the sound. Everything. No performance could possibly exist without them.

   But pfft. Whatever. They were stage-hands. They weren’t out there in front of everyone, with everything on the line. Who cares?!

   Now I’m back here in the creative department. Behind the scenes. I make everything look pretty, make sure the stage is set and that the A.E.’s have all the props to make their performance go swimmingly. Now I’m the stage-hand. Affected. And of course, I’m dressed in all black.

   But just like that single bow at the last show we creatives have our one bow. We have the 99.

   One night to ‘celebrate the good.’

   And we did.

   And it’s all a blur.

   If I wore a hat it would be off to Joe and Heidi and the rest of the board and everyone who touched this event. Seriously kids, nice work.

   With a whole year in front of you though, maybe a couple tweaks would make things better.

   Timing has always been a running gag at these events. It wouldn’t be the Oscars without Billy Crystal taking a swing at the length of the program. I can respect the concern for everyone’s valuable time. And if this were a monthly gig? Yeah! Let’s keep it to an hour. However, this is our one night and surrounded by our friends and industry-types no one minds another hour or so, right? There isn’t a single one of us who hasn’t pulled an all-nighter in the name of a good idea or presentation – so I can’t imagine anyone complaining they need to stick around just a bit longer to accept an award.

   Slow that presentation down, someone broke their ass fighting the good fight to polish that idea, let’s give them a few seconds to bask.

   Unless of course you want to hire a guest Emcee. Next year, call John Moschitta, Jr.’s agent. See what his rate is. That way, when I hear foradvertisingsingleameritawardgoestofreighttrainfortheiradtomatofight, it’ll be laughably entertaining: “Hey! Remember those awesome MicroMachine commercials, I thought that guy was dead!”

   But if you are going to hire an Emcee to tackle the 99, I’d like to at least hear him. Anyone who knows me knows I hang on every word Joe Ban spouts like a obsessed-school-girl (Joe, will you go to homecoming with me?), but I couldn’t hear the guy. Much less everything else. Far be it for me to lecture an entire community, but this year met the show with more chit chat than any other before it. Again, this is our one night I want to bask in it. Not hear the conversation behind me, across from me and next to me. Let’s keep the chatter to less-than-a-dull-roar next year, hmm?

   And please bring back the intro. I loved the cab driver. I loved learning Rich Kohnke has two dads. I ate it up. It had all the promise of a SNL opener. LIVE FROM MILWAUKEE, IT’S THE 99! This years extension of the invitational video was nice, but as we love to say: “It’s been done.”

   Finally, kill the gallery. I can honestly say the biggest thrill of the night for me was seeing my Pugfest poster hanging outside the room (Chris Ware, if you’re reading this, I am SO sorry). But, the gallery has become akin to finding your Christmas present early. It’s no longer about happily discovering what I’ve received, merely how it’s packaged. Hell, you can pick up some time by cutting the gallery and cocktail hour and sink it all into the presentation. How much better would it be if you found out on the spot that your halitosis product just took home a gold for point of purchase.

   I’m sure there are others…but these minor criticisms stick out the most. ‘Couple tweaks some copy changes. You guys have a winner.

   Like I said, this year was good but you can always count on me to celebrate the good.

   I’d rather ‘drink to the incredible.’

2. 

   Joe Ban · September 16, 2008 at 11:47 pm ·

   As always, Dan, well said. Our board is having a recap meeting tomorrow to discuss changes for next year and I will brig you suggestions to the table. Thank you for the kind words (there were some, right? Kidding.) I have a few ideas as well for changing the format for next year–I think it’s time to mix things up. Thanks for caring enough to share. We will take them into account. By the way, keep the 30th of Oct. open. We’re 99% sure of having a Halloween Team Trivia night. Probably (I make no promises) no Spelling or Sports categories–gotta balance the nerds’ and jocks’ requests.

3. 

   Michael Vojvodich · September 18, 2008 at 9:43 am ·

   Some good points Dan. However, when it comes to the timing of a show where is the happy medium. Too short and people might not feel they got their chance to shine. Too long and you have to wake people up in their seats at the end — I’ve been to several of these. My standard for how a show went is to listen to the talk afterward and from what my ears picked up it was overwhelmingly positive. Just my observation.

   Also, on killing the gallery. No. After all, some of us wake up in the middle of the night and shake our beautifully wrapped presents just to get an idea of what’s to come in the morning. Hell, I’ve even opened some and re-wrapped them.

4. 

   Dan Augustine · September 18, 2008 at 10:55 am ·

   Mike – Santa will be watching you this year, no more shaking of presents.

   Let me be quite clear, my criticisms should not in any way detract from a phenomenal event – if my sentiments seemed harsh that was certainly not my intent. I’ve had a hand in a couple of these things myself and the three hours they take is nothing compared to the months that went into them. Joe, Heidi and the board shouldn’t feel anything other than proud of a great night. I could pen something twice the length of my comments above gushing about the positives, but we all know when we’ve done a fine job. And I’ve made a career out of being longwinded.

   I certainly hope the board left the evening confident they pulled off a remarkable evening.