Check it out.

What’s this have to do with art directing? Well, it’s good to be exposed to new stuff so that you’re not drawing from the same vocabulary all the time. Plus, it’s a great work-avoidance technique when you have a deadline.

First, thanks to American Copywriter, for turning me onto this, comes The Ricky Gervais show on iTunes. He’s the lead actor of The Office (UK version) and executive producer of the American version. Anyway, him and his mates riff on anything. (Imagine the scene in Spinal Tap where they riff on the volume knob that goes to “11” and you have a good idea of the spirit of the show.) The first 12 episodes are free, the new ones however, will be pay only. I’ll pay.

Next comes Ask A Ninja. A video blog run by two improv/animation TV guys. Email the Ninja any question, and he responds in a little 2-minute skit. Well, I love it at least. Shades of Rex Kwon Do from Napolean Dynamite. Also available on iTunes in their podcast directory. More importantly, these are great examples of people coming up with original and funny content outside of the normal media channels. All you need is a DV camera, a Mac, Final Cut Pro and a little thing called, oh... talent.


Tags: funny, ninja, ricky-gervais, video, The Office