FOT Blog

Conferences are only as good as the people speaking and presenting at them. So Flash on Tap is lucky (and smart enough) to have attracted a stellar line up of speakers. We got a sneak peek at Big Spaceship recently in New York City. As you probably know Big Spaceship is a digital creative agency who has mastered the process of telling stories and starting conversations in the digital world. Their skills have helped them win nearly every creative advertising award possible. The firm started in 2000 in Brooklyn—the current hotbed of creativity in NYC—producing websites for Miramax movies. They quickly built a following in the movie industry for producing effective sites.

What makes Big Spaceship so effective, and listening to them share their story, so inspiring is that they’re focused on the digital world but aren’t beholden to it. Most impressive was the balance of technology and craft exhibited in all the pieces Michael Liebowitz and Joshua Hirsch shared. It wasn’t enough to figure out how to make something work it was equally important to “make” that something. One example is their own trailer made from paper in stop action with lots old school features and techniques. It’s sweet! And screams craft (in a good way).

Big Spaceship was also quite clear about their motivation—we want to have fun. Because having fun is what drives their passion and when they are passionate about what they are doing they produce great quality work. In the end, fun leads to quality and for Big Spaceship, success.

At Flash on Tap Jamie Kosoy, Associate Technical Director, is going to give you a look at how they collaborate simultaneously to create all those award-winning projects. Don’t miss this chance to peek under the hood of this stellar firm’s process and maybe learn something new!

Cheers!

We’ve had a few questions from attendees asking if they need special Flash skills to attend the conference. So, we wanted to make sure that we let everyone know that Flash on Tap is geared toward Flashers of all levels!

Some of the stuff is very introductory in nature. Chuck Freedman’s talk is all about how he got started in the Flash industry. Grant Skinner is offering a presentation on beginning Flash coding, where he’ll cover some essential techniques to becoming proficient that aren’t taught in books. Others like Craig Swann, GMUNK and Mario Klingemann are doing inspirational sessions that should get creative juices flowing for all levels of designers and developers.

In addition, the conference is all about facilitating networking, so beginners can talk to the experts to find out how they got started. And, since there will be many interactive agencies and other Flash-based organizations present–especially at the Career and Recruiting Fair which takes place on the first day–there will be lots of chances to find out about new job opportunities.

Cheers!!