The ask a Great a great question Technique...
Paul Arden rang me after I had done Wrigley's 'Dogbreath'.
He wanted to find out how I had managed to make such outrageous work.
We met at Arden Sutherland-Dodd's office where the first thing he did was empty out all of my pockets and bag.
He then spent an hour asking questions about all my stuff.
Having built up a picture of me he then bounced ideas about and asked my opinion on his stuff for another hour.
It was the most inspiring two hours of my career.
Before I left, I plucked up the courage to ask him to be my mentor.
Which he kindly agreed to.
The best question I ever asked was 'Paul, I love AMV but I'm frustrated. I'd love to make things as well as ads. Like Mother do.'.
Paul replied 'Mike. Don't leave. Ask your boss for a room in the agency. Then start being and doing the new thing. In time you'll start a new department. Just get permission to begin.'.
What great mentors could you approach today? (Aim high. Look beyond your field.)
What great questions would you ask them?
Write them now.
Then if you're ever lucky enough to get the call up you'll be prepared.
Creative Director at Monks
3 年Great story..... What did you have in your pockets??? ??
Creative Director | Filmmaker | Judge at Webby Awards | Let's make shows instead of content
3 年Love this story, sir. I'm gonna steal the empty pockets tecnique.
Emmy Award-Winning Director
3 年I worked alongside Paul at Arden Sutherland-Dodd for a few years. He was always extraordinarily curious about people’s belongings, and style. Sometimes the first thing he would comment on when meeting a person was what they were wearing… it could sound rude, but it was just the nature of his curiosity. So lucky to have had him as a mentor myself when I was just starting my directing career. I learnt so much just from his very presence.