A Week that Brings up the Happy Old Days

I know I’m exaggerating, but last week indeed drew me back to one of my happiest times in college, the time when I was a reporter and associate editor for the Departmental newspaper. Only this time, I was working on the RedEye Report: Winter 2012/2013 Edition.

RedEye Report is a quarterly newsletter that briefs our clients on the fun and interesting projects we’ve been working on and where we’re heading to. Writing up small paragraphs for each project was a lot of pleasure because it gave me the chance to watch videos, shows, and spots RedEye produced or edited. I enjoyed the time I spent watching and understanding them before crafting something cute about them. The information digging process has always been fascinating for me (That kind of explains why I am really into translation).

Among the spots I watched, many have to do with political campaigns as 2012 was an election year. Usually, when it comes to political spots, I can only think of candidates with a serious and sincere look on TV, trying to convince voters what and how they are going to address if elected, and those ads never let me down on this anticipation. (What a pity!) However, I found Matt Carwright’s campaign ad “My Jobs” especially refreshing in the wave of preach-and-teach manners. It was one of the few political spots that play with the audience, and I have to admit I was totally amused as a viewer. Even now, his last line “now we’re acting” in the ad still pops up in my mind and makes me laugh from time to time.

Another show I enjoyed watching was the Lift Every Voice. In addition to the soulful singer Chaka Khan, I also watched the episode interviewing The King’s Men, a touring collaboration between 4 Gospel singers, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, and Israel Houghton. “They really have a gift for singing,” I kept feeling after watching their interview (and searching for some performances on the internet).

Now I’m looking forwards to my new project next week, finding funny quotes and footage from movies shot in Washington D.C. for the 2013 Pollie Awards, because that means a lot of spy or crime movies await me!

Yating C.