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Under the sea

Welcome to Idealog Weekly, the free email newsletter for New Zealand commercial creatives, entrepreneurs and anyone rich with ideas.

Under the sea

News that Sam Morgan, Stephen Tindall and Rod Drury are banding together in a bid to lay high-speed undersea cable between Australia, New Zealand and the US (potentially revolutionising our woefully behind-the-times broadband) had the industry buzzing yesterday. The Pacific Fibre cable is projected to take less than two years to build at a cost of around $900 million, and Peter Griffin offers his take on the matter here. Sam Morgan himself said plenty more about it, too—the story's not online yet but you'll find it in Idealog on sale now.

Good for a giggle

Production company thedownlowconcept has built a business out of taking the mickey, but that doesn't mean they don't take their day job seriously. And it's paying off. The boys have dabbled in everything from short films to commercials to music videos, but it's their television work that's really taken off. Florence Noble charts their rise from obscurity to fame as the group behind TV3 comedy 7 Days.

 

It's crunch time

This week in the Idealog guide to monetising your ideas, Andy Kenworthy continues the series with some sage advice for budding entrepreneurs. You'll need to finance your startup, of course, and that means polishing up your pitch—because whether you're begging, borrowing or stealing some face time with an investor, the window of opportunity is small. Not to mention arranging adequate protection for your brilliant idea and ensuring you haven't wasted your time by inadvertently reinventing the wheel. And the work doesn't end there. A successful business has to be seen living and breathing its brand; authenticity can't be faked.

All in the details

Good designers make it all look so easy, but there's plenty of hard work going on behind the scenes. Lauren Panepinto of Orbit Books takes us through the process of designing a kick-ass book jacket from start to finish in this time-lapse showcase. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoDCiTsS7dU

Waste not, want not

According to the United Nations, almost half of the earth's population does not have access to basic toilet facilities. Now enterprising Swede Anders Wilhelmson has created a biodegradable plastic bag that doubles as a one-use toilet, targeted at nations in the developing world. He plans to sell the bags for 2-3 cents, which he says can be reused to grow crops. Once the bag is filled and buried, urea crystals breaks down the waste into fertiliser while killing off harmful germs. Wilhelmson tested the concept in Kenya and India and has plans to begin mass production later this year.

 

Pimp your garage

"Garage doors have until now mostly been mouse grey and ugly, and often spoil the appearance of well-maintained homes. But now, the days of those hideous garage doors are numbered!" So says German firm Style Your Garage, which manufactures posters especially for garage doors designed to resemble your garage's interior and contents—or, alternatively, what you wish you had. Whether you're out to impress, intimidate or just irritate the neighbours, there is a multitude of designs just crying out to see the light of day. Check out the full range here.

Escalate your enterprise

Top US angel investor Bill Payne is in town and Idealog, in conjunction with Escalator, is offering you the chance to pick his brain. Come along to Meet an Angel Day on April 15, and share a coffee with Bill and NZ-based investors Phil McCaw, Andrew Turnbull and more as they explain what it takes to attract investment. Learn how fellow entrepreneurs have succeeded or failed in gaining the attention of investors and gain insight to what an angel investor is looking for in an investment opportunity. Hear from experienced angel investors’ tips to increase your likelihood of attracting investment. What does it cost, you ask? Absolutely nothing. Register online, by calling 0800 822 748 or emailing karen@escalator.co.nz and spend a day working on your business, not in it.

All in a day's work

A short film about New Zealand has won one young filmmaker from Argentina the grand title in Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Pure ‘Your Big Break’ short film competition. Andres Borghi (pictured with People's Choice winner Aya Panimura) was one of five finalists who travelled to Queenstown last month to direct their films alongside Lord of the Rings producer Barrie Osborne. Entrants were asked to write a screenplay that "captured the spirit of 100% Pure New Zealand—the youngest country on earth" for the chance to shoot the movie and see their finished works screened at the Independent Spirit Awards in the US.  Judge Sir Peter Jackson praised Working Day as an original and "extremely accomplished" piece of storytelling. High praise indeed, especially as it beat out pool of more than 1000 entries. Watch the winning films here.

Job of the week: Intermediate Mac Op

Auckland

* Key role with a small, yet well established design team
* Range of diverse projects
* East Tamaki location

This is an excellent opportunity with an established design company based in East Tamaki. Your Mac skills will be of the highest level and you'll be proficient in the full range of CS packages (Indesign, Illustrator and Photoshop). It is essential that you have an excellent eye for detail as this is a crucial part of the role. As well as producing artwork, you will be capable of adding some creative input into the work as required.

You will be taking briefs and taking them through to the finished product, so it is essential that you have great coordination skills with the ability to interact on a professional level with a broad range of people.

If you think you have what it takes apply sending your CV and a portfolio (no more than 3MB) immediately to Sarah Adams or apply online.

If you do not fit the above criteria or do not currently reside in NZ, or if you do not have the relevant working Visa we will not apply to your application.

Man behind the mag

Original Mad Man George Lois' wildly successful stint with Esquire in the '60s propelled the magazine to new heights with a series of iconic covers. Turns out he and then-editor Harold Hayes were a match made in heaven. In this slideshow, he explains the stories behind his 12 favourite covers, from the 'first black Santa' to the 'Andy Warhol drowning in a can of soup'.

Weighing in on Wellywood

There's a storm brewing over the proposed Wellywood sign and everyone's got an opinion to share. Even Hitler has weighed in. And he's not a fan of the idea. (Disclaimer: the opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of Idealog — we are devoted fans of Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk-OYfY6vOA

Last call

If you haven't already registered to attend Creative Entrepreneurs—a series of industry events brought to you by Idealog and the Chamber of Commerce—you can fix that now by emailing events@chamber.co.nz (don't forget to state ‘Idealog’ when registering if you're a subscriber). Come along to Orams Marine Boatpark, Westhaven for an evening of cocktails, canapes and plenty of creative fodder on March 31. You'll get to hear director Jonathan King talk about the creative process, working with Weta Workshop and the challenges of funding, plus at just $42+GST for Chamber members and Idealog subscribers (or $64+GST for other creatives) it's a steal.

Quote of the week

"The key is to keep on hunkering under a tree in a storm with a piece of corrugated iron over your head every night … wearing metal boots."

— Jarrod Holt explains the secret to persevering and prevailing.

Also in Idealog Weekly …

2010-07-29 12:38:14: Great ideas come in twos (or more)

2010-07-23 14:16:23: The bounce factor

2010-07-16 14:59:03: What doesn't kill us makes us stronger

2010-07-09 13:46:23: The future is now

2010-07-02 14:45:16: Sneaking around

2010-06-25 13:52:07: Making their mark

2010-06-18 14:18:59: From C-student to CEO

2010-06-11 12:59:50: Walking the talk

2010-06-04 12:06:56: Stars of the small screen

2010-05-28 13:27:44: A job well done

2010-05-21 11:38:39: Story of my life

2010-05-14 13:34:52: Where are the asteroids?

2010-05-07 15:03:09: Get your fancypants on

2010-04-30 14:44:05: Ready, aim, fire

2010-04-23 15:11:14: Lean machine

2010-04-16 13:38:34: It's better when it's free

2010-04-09 11:11:34: Good fortune

2010-04-01 13:47:45: Forward thinking

2010-03-26 14:58:28: Back to basics

2010-03-19 12:43:58: End of the road

2010-03-12 14:29:30: Under the sea

2010-03-05 14:32:56: Race to the bottom

2010-02-26 14:43:20: Small but mighty

2010-02-19 14:43:04: A taste of what's to come

2010-02-12 16:27:05: The case for saving science

2010-02-05 11:20:54: Betting on the bell curve

2010-01-29 11:43:43: Urban facelift

2010-01-22 12:46:42: Back to business

2009-12-18 12:32:14: An Idealog year

2009-12-11 11:32:17: Cultivating creativity

2009-12-04 12:41:50: Beating the data maze

2009-11-27 13:20:20: Into the wild

2009-11-20 12:09:59: Clever Kiwi

2009-11-13 15:24:34: Behind the scenes

2009-11-06 16:14:16: The garlic solution

2009-10-30 17:36:54: Man of the moment

2009-10-23 18:20:02: By the numbers

2009-10-16 16:18:27: Pavlova principles

2009-10-09 18:53:36: The secret of the songbook

2009-10-02 14:52:56: Free and easy

2009-09-25 14:58:12: What the world wants

2009-09-18 14:58:12: A slice of the pie

2009-09-11 16:16:54: Walking man

2009-09-06 22:39:01: A calmer kind of business

2009-08-28 16:14:07: We have issues

2009-08-21 14:15:49: Mincing about in waistcoats

2009-08-14 15:16:48: Wired on pop culture

2009-08-07 14:33:11: Trust is not a commodity

2009-07-31 14:05:29: Fuzzy logic

2009-07-24 12:44:11: Game of life

2009-07-17 15:07:41: Grape expectations

2009-07-10 15:55:03: Blade runners

2009-07-03 16:10:16: Free: another word for nothing left to lose

2009-06-26 17:29:25: Poorly pleased

2009-06-19 13:07:47: The giver

2009-06-12 15:09:07: Buggy on down

2009-06-05 13:15:14: Brand Cambo

2009-05-29 14:46:37: When the going gets tough, go proactive

2009-05-22 14:49:27: Bayerische Wasserstoffmotorenwerke

2009-05-15 13:37:38: Rugger blogger

2009-05-08 16:19:47: Get on our cloud

2009-05-01 14:23:55: Easy Tiger

2009-04-24 10:45:23: Tiki tacky

2009-04-17 15:41:21: The not-so-great indoors

2009-04-03 15:41:21: A site for sore eyes

2009-03-27 12:01:53: Dual control

2009-03-20 12:41:29: Worth their Alt

2009-03-13 11:40:07: Biofuels or bio-fools?

2009-03-06 13:06:03: It's electrifying

2009-02-27 12:05:00: Experience-rich and theory-poor

2009-02-20 08:34:12: It's a hundred-and-fourteen-pager

2009-02-13 10:17:02: Own your mistakes

2009-02-05 11:08:46: Rules—made to be broken

2009-01-30 12:13:46: Money: that's what I want

2008-12-05 12:15:14: Framed by the thousands

2008-11-28 11:53:12: Spank-branding novelty next week

2008-11-21 10:07:48: In the Loop

2008-11-14 12:30:00: Your good health

2008-11-07 15:29:37: Misfits of science

2008-10-31 00:00:00: No absence of colour

2008-10-24 12:55:16: Plain-speaking Peri

2008-10-17 15:17:07: Rebels with a cause

2008-10-10 14:53:35: Seoulipsism

2008-10-03 13:18:51: Fall seven times and stand up eight

2008-09-26 13:20:53: Don't label us

2008-09-19 14:37:12: Bloody Graham

2008-09-19 14:17:45: Dream proposition

2008-09-05 15:21:48: Taxi!!!

2008-08-29 11:24:08: Up-Skilling on Idealog TV

2008-08-22 13:16:57: 144 pages of pure pleasure, plus politics

2008-08-15 11:42:43: Wash down that Lovemark with a Steinie

2008-08-08 12:00:07: Strange journey

2008-08-01 15:17:10: SMElly and happy

2008-07-25 13:24:35: What a dive

2008-07-18 12:19:42: Softly and woolly does it

2008-07-11 11:59:13: The saviour from Timaru

2008-07-04 14:50:24: Last laugh

2008-06-27 10:56:38: King Kev

2008-06-20 12:20:14: Slow ART

2008-06-13 11:56:13: Killing two birds with methane

2008-06-06 11:41:39: A combine harvester

2008-05-30 11:55:00: Gold paint

2008-05-23 12:01:40: Rock, out

2008-05-16 10:44:03: Goodwill hunting

2008-05-09 11:53:04: No wine jokes please

2008-05-02 11:51:55: Who's bad?

2008-04-24 13:23:02: Succession success

2008-04-18 13:41:43: Out now or thereabouts

2008-04-11 12:52:49: Paint by numbers

2008-04-04 14:24:53: Reincarnated good

2008-03-28 15:26:16: Making it

2008-03-20 17:03:39: Knock three times

2008-03-14 12:31:52: The customer is always tight

2008-03-07 11:56:55: Beautiful words

2008-02-28 12:55:22: Goodnight, I'm off to work

2008-02-22 12:15:19: The art issue

2008-02-15 11:31:15: Straight to the top

2008-02-08 16:05:53: H for hot

2007-12-13 14:52:13: Nothing in common? Perfect

2007-12-06 12:50:32: Who needs a beer?

2007-11-30 12:37:37: Dirty secret goes public

2007-11-23 13:28:24: Don't speak

2007-11-16 17:01:13: Worthy work (and free beer)

2007-11-02 20:07:12: East meets best

2007-10-25 12:47:59: Raid the fridge

2007-10-19 09:18:05: Looking good

2007-10-13 10:20:34: Can't miss it

2007-10-05 12:55:52: Fresh meat delivery

2007-09-28 11:49:23: If the walls had eyes

2007-09-21 04:13:23: Phoenix rising

2007-09-15 04:32:01: Can we fix it? Yes we can

2007-09-06 19:00:00: Feats of social engineering

2007-08-31 09:01:09: Doesn't bite

2007-08-24 13:21:33: Telling us where to go

2007-08-16 23:00:00: Tomorrow time

2007-08-10 12:15:51: Going West

2007-08-03 12:35:31: How to ... be your business

2007-07-27 14:11:06: Freaky food

2007-07-20 15:05:00: Meet the neighbours

2007-07-12 12:16:19: Free Hollie

2007-07-06 09:03:58: Green queen

2007-06-29 08:59:24: The truth about youth

2007-06-21 16:03:33: Walk this way

2007-06-14 17:58:53: Times ten

2007-06-07 15:13:55: The ape woman needs a label

2007-06-01 08:51:45: Impossible is something

2007-05-25 14:53:52: Yeah, we're still here

2007-05-11 14:43:35: Trophy time

2007-05-03 15:49:14: Friends with the band

2007-04-23 23:00:00: Why worry?

2007-04-19 16:08:21: Done by the big jobs

2007-04-12 22:34:29: A rockin' good read

2007-04-05 13:54:05: No fear

2007-03-29 21:54:07: Out to pasture

2007-03-22 15:38:14: Hip-hop and The Human Touch

2007-03-15 14:27:49: Crazy Frog and Billy T

2007-03-10 01:00:00: The Benadryl edition

2007-03-01 14:30:53: We can be Xero

2007-02-22 17:17:14: Back on board

2006-12-15 12:34:29: Free beer

2006-12-08 11:09:40: December 8, 2006

2006-12-01 10:13:51: December 1, 2006

2006-11-24 13:38:37: November 24, 2006

2006-11-16 12:08:37: November 16, 2006

2006-11-09 12:13:04: November 9, 2006

2006-11-03 13:27:12: November 3, 2006

2006-10-26 13:39:26: October 26, 2006

2006-10-19 16:11:46: October 19, 2006

2006-10-12 17:31:36: October 12, 2006

2006-10-06 10:16:05: October 6, 2006

2006-09-28 16:19:29: September 28, 2006

2006-09-21 15:42:31: September 21, 2006

2006-09-14 13:56:38: September 14, 2006

2006-09-07 00:00:00: September 7, 2006

2006-08-31 00:00:00: August 31, 2006

2006-08-24 00:00:00: August 24, 2006

2006-08-17 00:00:00: August 17, 2006

2006-08-11 00:00:00: August 11, 2006

2006-08-03 00:00:00: August 3, 2006

2006-07-27 00:00:00: July 27, 2006

2006-07-21 00:00:00: July 21, 2006

2006-07-13 00:00:00: July 13, 2006

2006-07-06 00:00:00: July 6, 2006

2006-06-29 00:00:00: June 29, 2006

2006-06-22 00:00:00: June 22, 2006

2006-06-15 00:00:00: June 15, 2006

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