Dear Edwina,
So... three quarters of the remaining print staff at Ant Farm (3 out of 4 people) just decamped to Eclipse, a breakdown house. Face saving lifeboat move, ahead of the axe? Or shrewd business decision? Discuss...
On Facebook:
Julian Hills bids a very fond farewell to the Farm after 10 extraordinary years. So proud of what we made, and SO excited about this new adventure.
Posted by: Aunt Jemima | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 08:02 AM
I would follow Julian anywhere he goes!
Posted by: Lurkey McLurkerson | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:10 AM
Hopefully to hell...
Posted by: Not a fan | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Left on their own. When companies keep laying off the people they want to get rid of they're bound to lose some of the ones they want to keep.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:11 AM
How about middle-age-oblivion?
Posted by: Not a fan | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:34 AM
I agree Lurkey. Julian is great to work for.
Posted by: Philip J | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Eclipse? Really? Is Glenn Garland still over there?
Posted by: Another Inquiring AD | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:08 AM
great guy to work for, wish him nothing but the best.
Posted by: constantinopledood | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 11:55 AM
President: Steve Dubb...LOL!
Posted by: Good luck with that | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 12:08 PM
This will end badly.
Posted by: The Psychic | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 02:44 PM
One can only hope...
Posted by: Kreskin | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 02:47 PM
Ant Farm still had a print dept? Could have fooled us.
Posted by: Carl Withers | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 03:22 PM
Willoughby! Next stop is Willoughby!
Posted by: Rod Serling | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 04:29 PM
Ahead of the axe. But it lands right down the middle of the farm.
Posted by: • • • | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 04:51 PM
+1 to Carl Withers'.
Posted by: El Diablo | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 06:13 PM
There's a "bought the farm" joke in there somewhere.
But seriously... all I know about Eclipse is they take everyone's key art, format it into a trade ad, enter it in the key arts and win an award. They took one of my campaigns, slapped "$100,000,000" on it and got an award. What is that? The original campaign was nothing to write home about, and I did it - it wasn't even nominated. I guess they get the award for "Best Uses of Digits".
Posted by: Al Carbon | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 06:31 PM
So where does it actually say that Julian is going to Eclipse? Could he have a new "adventure" in store for himself?
Perhaps he and Peter Stougaard are finally taking their band on the road -
"Say goodbye to Hollywood / say goodbye, my baby..."
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Say-Goodbye-To-Hollywood-lyrics-Billy-Joel/CBEAEE3E24564BFA4825687000218639
And who really cares about this when the Sony list of former home entertainment employees should make for far more interesting talk about the many inherent failures in the entertainment advertising business and how Blair Rich gets to still stick it around.
Posted by: James Ensore | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 07:02 PM
Peter would have to get Tony Sella's permission first.
Posted by: Been There Done That | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 08:30 PM
This is just like reading the police blotter!
Posted by: Joe Friday | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Any positive remarks regarding Julian and his work is, most definitely,coming from one of the two other former ants going with him,or himself. Many were let go so as to keep himself afloat, but finally to no avail. He needs to hang up the gloves after his unsuccessful move to Eclipse. Farewell ol' chap. You will not be missed.
Posted by: Callin It Likeitis | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 12:13 PM
Not necessarily true, Likeitis. Julian has pretty solid rep... and no one in this business is truly beloved by their peers.
Posted by: Lil' Opie's Aunt Bee | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 12:54 PM
No doubt Callin It Likeitis was one of the "many" let go by Julian "so as to keep himself afloat."
That or he's a copywriter. In any case, he's an idiot.
Blaming Julian Hills for layoffs at the Ant Farm is like blaming those Godless Haitians for getting themselves earthquaked (only, you know, not quite as insensitive).
Posted by: Callin it bullshit | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:06 PM
I am deeply beloved by my all my beer.
Posted by: Boozey Flapjack | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:07 PM
I have never worked for Ant Farm or Julian just to set the record straight.
He has a solid rep because he is a solid guy perhaps Callin it Likeitis a little disenchanted.
Posted by: Lurkey McLurkerson | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:16 PM
Okay, no ex-girlfriends allowed.
Posted by: Callin it bullshit | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:31 PM
So we all know who 'Callin it bullshit' is amongst the other "friends" on this string of comments. And it looks like he's swinging in the dark hoping to land a couple of jabs at former print employees.
Posted by: Callin It Likeitis | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 01:46 PM
Julian did what just about everyone else in this business does - open an agency (or print department) balanced solely on one, and only one, solid client. Nothing wrong with that. In his case it was David Sameth at Dreamworks. But when Dreamworks went to Paramount, all the print work went to BLT. And that was pretty much that. But it's no different at most other agencies - they're all one executive shuffle away from oblivion. If Blair Rich decides to "pursue other interests", see how well "Works" works.
Posted by: Pierre Pressure | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 02:36 PM
Likeitis, I've worked for Julian as a freelancer a couple of years ago and he was great to work with. Why is that hard for you to believe? What did he do to you?
Posted by: Philip J | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 03:10 PM
Wax on all you want "Likeitis". Your bitterness is showing.
Posted by: Fleebster | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 03:20 PM
This is mean, discussing a single man. pun not intended.
While you are reading this, does anyone need a babysitter for June 11?
Posted by: young & hungry | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 03:21 PM
looks like all the rude shit is just coming from one disgruntled dork. Watch out, Likeitis... Edwina will shut you out if you don't play nice.
Posted by: Lil' Opie's Aunt Bee | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Who's Julian Hills? Never heard of him.
Posted by: Douche Bigalow | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 03:51 PM
You pegged me! One bitter lemon. No really, I stand alone with my rude and cruel comments. I just want him to love me.(single tear)
Posted by: Callin It Likeitis | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 04:01 PM
Ant Farm is out. Eclipse is in.
What kind of crazy fucked world are we living in?
Posted by: Dorothy In Kansas | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 04:24 PM
Hate to tell you, but PRINT is OUT. And any agency hanging their hat on it is out too.
Auf Wiedersehen!
Posted by: Been There Done That | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 04:31 PM
Hey Beenthere don't be such a Zwibelgesicht.
Posted by: Bitter Lemon® | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 04:37 PM
Starting your own agency is also out.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 04:46 PM
Working 80 hr week for 60k a year...
In or Out?
Posted by: I'm a Loser | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:03 PM
(What they do!)
(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)
(What they do!)
Posted by: O Jays | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:16 PM
Yup never dated him either....
still a good guy.
Maybe Likitis needs to get laid.
Eating lunch at his desk too much
Posted by: Lurkey McLurkerson | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:30 PM
Oh Loser,
You still get weekends? Thats SO 2009.
100 hours is the new 80 hours.
$45K is the new $60k.
Hope that's helpful.
Posted by: Anita Cocktail | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:36 PM
A little background on Eclipse: Only been around for a few years or so. True they started (I guess) as a breakdown shop, but in the last few years have done a lot of original stuff in the gaming, adaptive & HE world. As far as I can tell, one of the few shops actually doing pretty well. Julian Hills can only help them out. We'll see.
Posted by: Ideaguy | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:44 PM
Bingo Ideaguy.
That's what I hear, too... they going after gaming... and good fuckin luck, Chuck cuz gaming budgets suck!!! That's why Petrol hires those 20-year-olds who still live at home and can live on 25k a year.
Posted by: Small Change | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 05:51 PM
I love how everybody has been using the two phrases:
1.) In these economic hard times, you're lucky to have a job.
2.) Print is dead.
Guess what bitches... I do both!
design is design and I can either RGB or CMYK all day long.
I don't know why everyone is willing to take work for less and put in the long hours!
I work a standard 40 hour work week. Never work weekends and get to go out for lunch every day.
When I worked at one of your beloved sweat shops and felt enough was enough with exploiting me, I told them to piss off and left.
I am not a top ranking AD or CD I am a worker bee that plays well with others and gets my shit done on time.
Stop your crying, log into lynda.com and learn some online design so you can have the upper hand and not feel like your tiny little print world is dead.
Posted by: AreGeeBee | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 06:21 PM
waaaaaa! you hurt my feelings!
Posted by: CMYK | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 06:53 PM
AreGeeBee sounds like someone I may actually know. If he is who I think he is. He is so full of shit too.
Posted by: Fukit | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 07:33 PM
You get paid based on your negotiation skills, not talent.
Posted by: Ad Nauseum | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 07:47 PM
Oh Mr. Fukit, did you want a cookie for might/might not knowing me?
Posted by: AreGeeBee | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 08:01 PM
To AreGeeBee: So the fact that you have a job means that the times aren't tough and print is fine? That's probably not a statistically significant sample. But good for you. Bitch.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 08:02 PM
I don't want anything Mr. AreGeeBee. I'm just happy that I'm not you.
Posted by: Fukit | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 09:47 PM
Who here really cares if print is dead? I design key art and I really don't give a shit if it shows up on a printed poster, website, electronic billboard, or a hologram keychain. Anyone not working for LA Graphico or a newspaper really doesn't have that much to worry about. Movie advertising isn't going away, even if printed posters are. Shit, electronic media replacing print really just means more art will go to finish and see the light of day. It's a good thing.
Posted by: Joey D | Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Thank you Joey!
Put that in your pipes, Flav and Fuk.
Posted by: AreGeeBee | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Thank you Joey D for stating, what should be, the obvious. Of course times are tough, and of course Print is struggling, but the need for key art still exists in the entertainment industry, and that's unlikely to change any time soon. At any rate, I doubt Julian/Eclipse will christen their new venture the Print Department.
Posted by: Sparky Lutz | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 06:30 AM
Actually, Joey D, electronic media replacing print really just means more art will go to finish and see the light of NIGHT.
Posted by: CMYK | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 06:37 AM
Thank god we're moving into digital. At 72dpi, I don't have to worry about all those pesky details, subtlety or finishing skills.
Posted by: Al Carbon | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 06:53 AM
key art will never die, and at the rate digital billboards / screens are going up i'll be retired before it becomes the norm.
like i always say: if the check clears, who gives a fuck.
Word to mother!
Posted by: don deezy von weezy | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:00 AM
I never said print was dead. It's morphing.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 10:12 AM
The Julian Calendar...six months tops. Unless Hills is bringing a million $$ account with him, he'll be jettisoned - fast.
Posted by: Kreskin | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Don - Check your etymology at the door, it's: "word to THE mother." http://tinyurl.com/ykxg7zf
Posted by: M. Webster | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Uh, duh, Webster - check your IQ at the door. Your link doesn't back you up.
And if by "M. Webster" you're making some retarded reference to the dictionary guy, his first name began with an N. As in Noah.
Posted by: Peggy Olson | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 02:18 PM
"Word to the mother." Used by African Americans as a salutation. It means "Give due respect to the motherland from which we came." Can be used in the same context as "Keep it real." or, also, can be used to literally express respect to the motherland and African-American customs and traditions.
Man 1: I'll be seeing you man. Keep it real.
Man 2: Word to the mother.
Man 1: Word.
Back to the typing pool for you, Peggy...peace out.
Posted by: Call Me Merriam | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 02:28 PM
m webb, i dont need any etymology, especially not from some douchey site like urban dictionary.
birds like you get stuck for the cake and the icing. fokoutahere.
Posted by: don deezy von weezy | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 02:37 PM
" In these economic hard times, you're lucky to have a job."
I so worked all these thankless hours for years just to hear that joyous phrase.
Posted by: Buttnuffigus | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 04:31 PM
...don't forget about the "INDUSTRY STANDARD" rates and stuff... :)
Posted by: peter | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 05:00 PM
...price fixing? :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_fixing
Posted by: Uber Zuber | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 05:06 PM
Um...It's actually "word to YOUR mother".
Posted by: Vanilla ice baby | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 06:35 PM
That's right Ice, you da man.
Posted by: Vanilla Waffer | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 06:39 PM
No actually, it's "word to your moms" Now jump up and get down.
Posted by: House of Pain | Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 06:48 PM
http://www.julianhills.net/Julianhills/home.html
Posted by: X-TAF | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 08:54 AM
I was in New York a couple of weeks ago for a photo shoot. The studio put me up at the Soho Grand which was very nice of them. It was my first time staying there. Famous people like to stay at that hotel because they let guests bring their pets. And famous people like that, evidently. To my taste, the place is a bit shabby. I got the impression that when it first opened, twelve years ago, it was probably shining and splendid, but no one has bothered to keep the place up. So it feels kind of worn, but not in a particularly comfy way, more in a way indicative of there having been too many dogs around the place, lying on all the furniture.
Posted by: Sunday, February 10, 2008 | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 09:27 AM
...sounds familiar?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFyRdYoRG_U
Posted by: Starry | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 10:59 AM
...so, been hearing a lot about this not so well kept secret meeting between all the agency heads to have a standard industry rate for freelancers... brainchild of JG?
price fixing bunch of scumbags.
Posted by: in the know | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 12:10 PM
You mean freelancers will actually get paid?!!
Posted by: Sir Freelancelot | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 01:20 PM
As someone who has been at those meetings I don't recall freelancers even being discussed. The studios are the ones they're worried about and the lawyers are very specific about how groups like that can talk about price. Freelancers are the least of agency problems right now. You're paranoid.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 02:06 PM
I agree with FIAV. A lot of freelancers think they're the center of the universe, but even the best of us are very small cogs in a very big machine.
Posted by: Joey D | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 05:09 PM
...have YOU or ANYONE YOU KNOW got a call from JG with "suggestions"?
Posted by: paranoid | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 05:44 PM
Why are you being anonymous AND cryptic? Just ask the fucking question.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 06:13 PM
If lawyers are present at these meetings you've got to know that terms like "price fixing" and "racketeering" are being discussed - not only in terms of the agencies involved, but studios and freelancers as well...HUGE legal exposure involved, but from what I hear, there are other legal issues afoot...
BTW...Are we talking about JG from the Polish Copymat?
Posted by: Hollywood Medusa | Friday, February 26, 2010 at 07:20 PM
Imagine Beyond Thunderdome with JG as Master and JL as Blaster.
Posted by: Auntie Entity | Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 09:30 AM
Lawyers were never present at any meeting I was at. Geesh. If a group of freelancers were to get together to discuss their prices and their clients it would be good to consult a lawyer so as to avoid even the appearance of price fixing collusion. That's all I meant. You understand that studios are spending massively less money than they did just a short time ago, that all of the agencies that cropped up have beens scrambling to tread water or not sink too fast. The fundamentals of this industry are dramatically different than a year and half ago. Don't believe it. Assume there's some big plot or something, but you're only hurting your own chances of survival. (Reality always a better starting point than delusion.) If you want to look for a villain how about Viacom and GE, for example?
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 11:33 AM
...JG doings seem fishy anyway...
Posted by: pond | Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 12:16 PM
I know you guys all must know each other, read each others' minds and your periods are all in sync - but - for those of us who don't automatically know what the hell you're talking about would you pretty please explain what JG's fishy dealings supposedly entail?
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 12:43 PM
I think they are referring to Jill Green at Ignition.
Posted by: Guessing Gamer | Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 12:49 PM
We have the who. What about the what?
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 01:09 PM
What's on second and who's on first...
Posted by: Bitter Lemon | Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Somebody spill the fishy tales. If there's something rotten afoot, the labor force needs to be informed.
Posted by: Sir Freelance A. Lot | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Knowing them as well as I do, I would guess (and it's only a guess) that they're trying to get everyone to agree on a cap for what they pay freelancers. I understand it from their point of view... they do the same drone work everyone else does for the bulk of their work, but what gives them their cred is the Polish ripoffs, and how much should you pay someone to google search "european posters"? $20 an hour? That's the mindset. They'll settle for $50, reluctantly. Bitterly.
The "New Normal".
Posted by: Been There Done That | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 04:11 PM
ART DIRECTORS NEED A UNION, every other facet of the entertainment industry has one even the janitors for christ sake, why not us. the agencies play by whatever rules they want to get ahead, no lunches no breaks, crazy overtime and for what, a dvd box for a movie that went straight to video wtf. we need to stand up and GET TOGETHER. PROBLEM SOLVED
Posted by: Buttnuffigus | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Edwina is editing the comments and taking out names.
FYI
Posted by: Been There Done That | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 08:40 PM
...you guys wanna meet?
Posted by: Jes | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 10:53 PM
Me and Edwina? No, we know each other. Lovely person. A bit of a lightweight with the cocktails, but charming none the less.
Posted by: Been There Done That | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 10:58 PM
...art directors.
Posted by: Jes | Monday, March 01, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Dear Mr. Been There,
Surely a long time reader like yourself is aware of Edwina Trout's Rules of Engagement.
http://monkeyartawards.typepad.com/monkeyartawards/2009/12/edwina-trouts-top-three.html
Posted by: Edwina Trout | Tuesday, March 02, 2010 at 08:23 AM
Duly noted.
Posted by: Been There Done That | Tuesday, March 02, 2010 at 08:47 AM
Yes, times are tough. Yes, studios are stingy. Yes, certain discussions and decisions made by
certain trade groups of business owners can on occasion constituent actionable violations of both State and Federal law.
Yes, many of the people in our lovely industry are
self-serving and small minded destructive Aholes.
And yes all of these facts can exist simultaneously in the same universe without cancelling each other out.
Posted by: another stupid opinion | Tuesday, March 02, 2010 at 09:18 AM
Re: Buttnuffigus
I agree 100%. A union is long over due for Art Directors! The problem is too many of us are divided on this issue. If any thing productive can come from this website, it would assist in making connections and gathering those who care to spearhead this into action. After all, agencies and studios are frequently meeting to discuss the well being of their business. So to should a freelancer union!
Posted by: c. | Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 07:13 PM
The most talented, most in demand people you would need to make a union work would have no need or interest in joining a union. How are you middling folks who don't seem to have enough personal whatever to negotiate your own decent career going to make that happen? Again, at a time when AV companies - let alone print - who are working on major campaigns right now are barely breaking even? There's a reason you're not making enough money right now. Not many people are. And it has nothing to do with unions.
Posted by: FlAVor FlAVe | Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 11:07 PM