Our Webby Awards arrived and we couldn't have done it without you. A couple of months back, we were nominated for three Webby's for our work on Coldplay's “INK” music video – a groundbreaking interactive “choose your own adventure” style journey.
With your votes, we were able to win all three in the following categories:
Music
Animation
Best Use of Interactive Video
Thanks again for all the support! In case you missed it, you can experience the award-winning music video here.
It's my goal this year to work with the ridiculously talented Pharrell Williams. I think he's an amazing artist, and a pretty cool dude as well.
At Blind we've had the amazing opportunity to work with Justin Timberlake Gnarls Barkley Kanye West Morgan Page Jet and most recently Coldplay. I think the time is right for this to happen.
Inspired by Chris Do and Jose Caballer, I decided to put my goals out there, and progressively work towards them. I'm not sure how I'm going to make this happen yet, but I'll definitely figure it out.
Hopefully you all keep me accountable, and maybe even help me find the right connections along the way.
What's your goal?
Check out my interview with Shutterstock on the importance of storyboarding, tips to improve the results, and how keep your client onboard and happy with your creative.
I cut together this studio tour of Blind last year and finally got around to putting it up. Take a look, but you're always welcome to stop by!
The much anticipated behind-the-scenes making-of story for my latest work with Coldplay was featured exclusively by Fast Company. The article explores the creative process behind the development of this groundbreaking choose-your-own-fate interactive music video for the song “Ink” off of Coldplay‘s recent acclaimed album, Ghost Stories.
I'm happy to finally share what I've been working on in my cave at Blind for the past 2 months. I had the honor of directing Coldplay's "INK," an interactive music video. It's live here.
I'm so thankful for my amazing team and the once in a lifetime opportunity to collaborate with one of my favorite bands.
Here's some of the press on it:
Hands down, the most common advice I hear when it comes to business: Do what you love, and the money will follow. But what if you love to do a lot of things?
Until recently, I didn’t realize the value of my personal, untapped network. I’ve always separated my personal life from professional one. I love to dance, rock climb, train in MMA, and take photos. I don’t think there’s a career that includes all of that (if so inbox me, we need to chat).
I grew up in the competitive b-boy (break) dance scene, and have travelled the world, meeting amazing individuals who love what they do. To me, these people would always be dancers, and I categorized them as such. In my mind, they simply weren’t affiliated with what has now become my career as a creative director in the advertising and content creation world.
I never thought of reaching out to them regarding professional issues; they’re just dancers, right?
Now, years past my athletic prime (unadmittedly), through social media I’ve followed the personal growth of my former dance colleagues. It has been impressive to see where some people have ended up and what they’ve accomplished– small business owners, Fortune 500 Execs, and in many cases, creative like me (not surprising I guess).
Caveat: By nature, I’m not the most social bee when it comes to networking.
Within a few degrees of separation, I began to reach out and connect with other former and current dancers on a professional level. The beautiful thing was the leg work was done for me– already sharing a common interest upon which to bond, or at the very least, start a quick conversation. We knew the same people, we’re inspired by the same things, and we have an irrational love for dancing that other people would never understand.
With barriers lowered and a relaxed conversational setting, it’s been incredibly easy to generate new leads, ask for professional advice, or find new candidates to hire. All of these channels felt narrow to me in the past. This has worked so well for me because it allows me to stay authentic and comfortable to who I am– no need for a salesy facade.
We’re all just regular people who have different interests in life. We make friends in niche hobby communities– people you like and trust, which also happen to beessential building blocks of forging great business relationships.
You’d be surprised what your sparring partners or your gym buddies do for a living. Tap into those wells; they can run deep. And if you haven’t already, find a hobby,even if it is spinning on your head.
Do what you love, build meaningful relationships, and eventually the money will follow.
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About: Matthew Encina is an award-winning Creative Director & Content Creator at Blind. (He also loves to dance, rock climb, train in MMA, and shoot photos).
Follow me everywhere @matthewencina
Took home my first Telly Award! Honored for our work on Wonderbook: Book of Spells.
