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My Toronto Isn't This Toronto

Posted by Tim / October 7, 2007

I have to say that I'm pretty underwhelmed by the 24 entries Spacing managed to garner for their My Toronto video contest. Looks like Spacing learned what a lot of big advertisers already have - you can't rely on the public to submit interesting or quality videos about your brand, product or, in this case, Toronto.

You'd think it would have been easier. I can only imagine our friends at Spacing shaking their heads about what they have to choose from. Many of the videos that have been added to their My Toronto You Tube group aren't even on theme. Others rely on still photography, not video and a shocking number feature tired Toronto cliches like the CN Tower, OCAD and the theatre district. Compared to this, Tourism Toronto looks less like the grossly incompetent and ineffective agency that many make them out to be.

But among the submissions are a few gems. Among my favourites are two created by a seven member collective who have even created their own My Toronto web site.

One of these videos - Boytech - is above. Keep reading for two more worth a look.

This is the second of three videos submitted by the My Toronto group. It's called HTO.

I also like this one created by Jesse Ewles and featuring music by Final Fantasy.

Which video do you like the best? See all submitted videos here.

Discussion

5 Comments

Matt / October 7, 2007 at 01:32 pm
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Not on theme, using cliches... welcome to the wonderful world of open calls for submission.
Jerrold / October 7, 2007 at 01:51 pm
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Kudos to everyone that made an effort and submitted a video. This isn't a simple feat.

I've watched all of the submissions, and some of them are truly wonderful in concept but produced rather poorly (I wouldn't be able to do much better since I have next to no skills in video production).

I wonder if the contest would have been better run as a "best concept pitch", with the winner being teamed up with a production company that donated their services to produce a slick video.
john / October 7, 2007 at 06:37 pm
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yay! erm.. my video will be "shown at a public event" - lets drop everything and get on that asap!
Shawn Micallef / October 7, 2007 at 07:52 pm
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We'll be starting the public voting on Tuesday likely.
kevin bracken / October 7, 2007 at 09:39 pm
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I thought they were pretty cute :) I totally LOVE the DVP "elephants" morphing, even though I am never on the road but I know they are a part of many people's Toronto experience.

I should have filmed my proposal:

http://spacing.ca/wire/?p=2087#comment-66367

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