Flashback Friday: Fresh Fish in the Morning...

Several years ago, during one of my many advertising classes in college, I had the opportunity to create an ad campaign for a nonprofit agency--right up my alley. Sadly, this project came toward the end of the semester...so needless to say, I was already pushing the limits of sleep deprivation by filling every moment with shooting and editing. Okay, that was your disclaimer. Here's how the story goes:

Tuesday, Last part of a six hour class: "Submit a billboard image with a creative and effective tagline for a campaign tied to a nonprofit agency. You are expected to do extensive research on your agency and be prepared to give a pitch for your work," the teacher's voice droned on and on... It was hot; dead of summer hot, and we were stuffed in a room on the third floor like sardines in a can. Unlike most, my heart was bubbling with excitement. I enjoyed the break from the usual pattern, especially when it had potential to help those in need. I remember scribbling at least a dozen different agencies before class was released, quite the feat when you're that exhausted.

Thursday & Friday: Preliminary research. Wow, where to begin? The internet, always the internet. I probably searched for a couple hours both days and came up empty-handed. That's generally how it would go, but the back of my brain would work on it while I moved on to other tasks.

Saturday: Chats with several classmates on their selections and concepts. I still haven't selected a company, but had a list of good prospects.

Saturday Evening-Monday Evening: Shooting; I racked up nine hours in the studio in two days, not bad and too add to that, a few hours shooting on location.

Monday, 5PM: Class tomorrow, what's due? Nonprofit project....

6PM: Hmmmm....
7PM: Hmmmm...............
9PM: Okay, Heifer International, ending hunger, caring for the Earth... Never heard of them, I like it. Let's do it!

11PM: Birth of concept. Heifer is an agency who's mission is to end world hunger. Heifer provides animals to people in poverty-stricken areas and ensures that these gifts will eventually aid communities in becoming self-sustaining. Not only that, but they require those who benefit from their gifts to "pass on that gift."

Tuesday, 5AM: Cold calling. "Hi, yes, do you carry fresh, whole fish? Trout maybe?" my voice cracked over the line. "No? Okay, thanks..." I think it probably wasn't until I called the fifth grocery store in Santa Barbara... Bingo, I love you, Gelson's. Forty-three dollars and twenty-six minutes later, I had six whole, slimy, half-frozen, fully dressed fish in my hands. Ewwww, eyes and all. (This is the part where I wished I'd had a room in the budget for a prop stylist.)

As the sun began to rise, I grabbed my finest cookie sheet, camera, and fish and plopped down in the middle of my driveway. An hour or so later, I returned to the house dirty, smelly, queasy, but above all, triumphant! Two hours until class, I had it in the bag.

Important lesson I learned: Go with your gut. When inspired, you'll make it happen.