Unique insights and actionable ideas from The Darnell Works Agency’s daily quest for greatness.
Two months from today, our son will turn 18. Searching memory banks and analyzing recent conversations, I am recalling that unwelcome rise of daunting external pressures. As an adult, I understand that pressure makes it extra hard for most people to make good decisions … overall in life, and even in basic conduct.
Read moreSharing Secrets: Social (Media) Rules of Engagement
Filmmaker and photographer Ben Strang joined the directorial roster of one-stop cross-media production company Sarofsky in 2019. As a director of both scripted and documentary works, Ben’s stories are born from the unique locations and individuals he has encountered as an independent photojournalist for over a decade. His scripted pilot “Beast” won the SXSW Grand Jury Award for Best Independent Episodic, and his latest documentary series “A Mystery To Me” won a 2021 Cannes Lion, and was selected as a Vimeo Staff Pick, as you can see here.
On International Women’s Day, UN Women’s HeForShe movement issued a global call to leaders to join the newly formed HeForShe Alliance and help accelerate progress toward gender equality.
Launched by UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, HeForShe is a solidarity movement and an international platform that engages men and boys as allies to support the work of the women’s movement and ultimately create an equal world for all.
Read moreBold Leaders Invited to Champion Gender Equality via UN Women’s HeForShe Global Initiative
DWA principal Roger Darnell had the great honor of serving as a judge for the 2021 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase: Forests. “It is a wonderful feeling,” he said, “knowing that so many gifted storytellers and supporting organizations are dedicated to informing and educating the world on the importance of forests and conservation.”
Read moreExperience the 2021 World Wildlife Day Film Showcase on 3 March
To be perfectly honest, I didn’t know how much I needed this film in my life. Expertly directed and produced by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Seabiscuit”) Frank Marshall, “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” is currently streaming on HBO Max. Chronicling the triumphs and hurdles of the phenomenal brothers Gibb, otherwise known as the Bee Gees, esteemed producers also include Nigel Sinclair, Jeanne Elfant Festa, and Mark Monroe.
I was only about five when Barry, Maurice and Robin had their first number one hit in the USA: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
Read moreFrank Marshall: Thank you for the much-needed Bee Gees documentary
Looking back, April 7, 2008, was a very lucky day for me: That’s when I received a call from Tracy Chandler, who was the current executive producer for Shilo in NYC. Soon thereafter, we began a five-year collaboration that introduced me to scores of world-class talents. Chief among them was writer-director André Stringer, right alongside executive creative director Jose Sebastian Gomez.
About 10 years later, André wrote (along with Matt D’elia) and directed the amazing short film “The Attaché,” which has understandably earned a great deal of critical acclaim since its debut. From the film’s production details, here is a bit more about this extremely talented gentleman.
When you think about what music means in your life, isn’t it amazing to consider how essential it is in your emotional scrapbook? I grew up in the 70s and 80s; you can guarantee that whenever I witness a John Hughes movie on a screen, I’m going to pause and savor at least a minute or two immersed in his captivating audiovisual storytelling.
Read morePaul Dugdale, Thanks for the Spectacular Jeff Lynne, ELO Documentary
Back in 2014, a story from Chris Trimble appeared in the Guardian proclaiming video as the future of content marketing, with this dire warning: “small businesses who ignore it do so at their peril.” Since then, video usage has continued to climb, and more and more people and businesses are trying to engage, entertain and educate us with their on-screen storytelling. Bearing this in mind, I’m very happy to share some of the videos I’ve collected working alongside some phenomenal storytellers.
For your reference and enlightenment, I have chosen 10 examples apiece for three well-established niches of corporate communications. While most of these videos were designed for business audiences, each is artistic enough to appeal to just about everyone.