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Raleigh Convention Center Records Song, Produces Video, Induces Widespread Nausea!

By chris on January 4, 2007

Ok, perhaps I’m being a little too harsh here, but does anyone like this thing? Is this really the image of Raleigh we want to project to the rest of the world? Granted, I realize the primary audience for it is potential convention clients, but I’m not even sure they’ll get it.

Admittedly, I’ve seen worse “corporate” and “government” videos.  Much worse.  I guess I just wonder why anyone would spend the money to produce something like this when there are such better options, like a more interactive website.  How about a 3-D interactive rendering of downtown Raleigh that people could use to conduct either guided or manual tours of the city online?  How about including a timeline so the rendering changes when a slider is moved?

Anyway, post your comments here or on YouTube.  The folks at the Raleigh CVB Convention Center are interested in what people think and will be reading them.

This video is also available here:

http://www.raleighconvention.com/index.php/homepage/shine-video

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Posted in | 214 Responses

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  • CarnifeX

    Shine Raleigh Shine! ahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaha

  • CarnifeX

    Shine Raleigh Shine! ahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaha

  • Betsy

    Some parts of it were OK, but a lot of the footage was dull from the perspective of the out-of-town visitor; interesting only to someone who is already familiar with the setting (street view of joggers on sidewalk near Capitol, for example).
    I’d say the video could be improved greatly by cutting out half the footage, leaving only the most interesting bits in; reducing the “air time” for most of the vignettes (you only need a split second of “audience cheering” to give the sense of an audience cheering, for example); and ditching the “kuhntry” soundtrack for something revved up with maybe a good lounge/house beat. Also, ditch the so-so rankings text — it only undercuts the message to show the Stanley Cup raised high (great image) then follow it up with “#12 ranked city for sports” (bleeeuuuuuuuuuhhh, snore).
    And, for the love of golly, get rid of the footage of the Gap sign. Sheesh.
    Oh, finally, spell “entrepreneur” correctly. That might be kind of good.

  • Betsy

    Some parts of it were OK, but a lot of the footage was dull from the perspective of the out-of-town visitor; interesting only to someone who is already familiar with the setting (street view of joggers on sidewalk near Capitol, for example).
    I’d say the video could be improved greatly by cutting out half the footage, leaving only the most interesting bits in; reducing the “air time” for most of the vignettes (you only need a split second of “audience cheering” to give the sense of an audience cheering, for example); and ditching the “kuhntry” soundtrack for something revved up with maybe a good lounge/house beat. Also, ditch the so-so rankings text — it only undercuts the message to show the Stanley Cup raised high (great image) then follow it up with “#12 ranked city for sports” (bleeeuuuuuuuuuhhh, snore).
    And, for the love of golly, get rid of the footage of the Gap sign. Sheesh.
    Oh, finally, spell “entrepreneur” correctly. That might be kind of good.

  • Matt K

    I’d like to see “Going Back to Cali” by LL Cool J remade as “Going Back to Raleigh.” :D
    And there was a song called “919″ by NC’s own Petey Pablo… probably wouldn’t make for much of a promotional tourism song, though. (Yes, I’m being facetious.)
    Shame… no one has suggested Clay Aiken?

  • Matt K

    I’d like to see “Going Back to Cali” by LL Cool J remade as “Going Back to Raleigh.” :D
    And there was a song called “919″ by NC’s own Petey Pablo… probably wouldn’t make for much of a promotional tourism song, though. (Yes, I’m being facetious.)
    Shame… no one has suggested Clay Aiken?

  • yooadrianne

    it’s much better with the sound turned off.
    what concerns me about it is the profusiion of superlatives… we’re ranked #3 on this list, #4 on this list, etc. etc.
    if Raleigh could find its own unique identity and traits, then it wouldn’t have to define itself in terms of others’ criteria. what is it about Raleigh that makes it unique? either we haven’t decided or no one has told the staff at the Convention Center. i can’t see it in this video.

  • yooadrianne

    it’s much better with the sound turned off.
    what concerns me about it is the profusiion of superlatives… we’re ranked #3 on this list, #4 on this list, etc. etc.
    if Raleigh could find its own unique identity and traits, then it wouldn’t have to define itself in terms of others’ criteria. what is it about Raleigh that makes it unique? either we haven’t decided or no one has told the staff at the Convention Center. i can’t see it in this video.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/myongsun/ Nahbee

    It’s ok, but way too long. When you start repeating shots, you know it’s time to shorten it up.

  • http://profile.typekey.com/myongsun/ Nahbee

    It’s ok, but way too long. When you start repeating shots, you know it’s time to shorten it up.

  • I want 2 cry…

    I want to cry… because… *sniff*… I like Raleigh… and this is so… *sniff*…so… CHEESY!. I don’t know what else to say. Between the blurred “tunnel vision effect” and the song,…oh Lord!

  • I want 2 cry…

    I want to cry… because… *sniff*… I like Raleigh… and this is so… *sniff*…so… CHEESY!. I don’t know what else to say. Between the blurred “tunnel vision effect” and the song,…oh Lord!

  • Doug

    Is that councilman Thomas Crowder in profile at 0:56?

  • Doug

    Is that councilman Thomas Crowder in profile at 0:56?

  • not a native

    Makes the RDU area look as boring and redneck/backwater as it really is.

  • not a native

    Makes the RDU area look as boring and redneck/backwater as it really is.

  • Ted

    The video footage isn’t so bad, but the music is horrific. I agree that somone of recording fame and links to the area should have been asked to write and sing the song.
    Tift Merritt
    James Taylor
    Branford Marsalis
    Clay Aiken (Ha! Ha!)
    Petey Pablo’s North Carolina Rise Up song would have been a better choice than the song used in the current version!

  • Ted

    The video footage isn’t so bad, but the music is horrific. I agree that somone of recording fame and links to the area should have been asked to write and sing the song.
    Tift Merritt
    James Taylor
    Branford Marsalis
    Clay Aiken (Ha! Ha!)
    Petey Pablo’s North Carolina Rise Up song would have been a better choice than the song used in the current version!

  • Ellie

    Ummmm…. I really like it with the sound off.
    And Doug… come on…
    “Makes the RDU area look as boring and redneck/backwater as it really is.”
    Lighten up.

  • Ellie

    Ummmm…. I really like it with the sound off.
    And Doug… come on…
    “Makes the RDU area look as boring and redneck/backwater as it really is.”
    Lighten up.

  • RaleighRob

    The sad thing is, the first time I saw this was one evening on WRAL news. They were practically gushing on this thing…Pam even said it “rocked”. YIKES.

  • RaleighRob

    The sad thing is, the first time I saw this was one evening on WRAL news. They were practically gushing on this thing…Pam even said it “rocked”. YIKES.

  • http://www.shovemedia.com/ jon williams

    can somebody start a petition to have them yank the plug on this? I admire the effort, really, i do. I know how much time and money and meeting after meeting after meeting must have gone into it.
    Trouble is, it will have exactly the opposite of the intended effect — all the people you were trying to convince of how awesome Raleigh is (and it IS dammit) are going to come away with a negative opinion.
    Hire a professional to fix your car, build your house, teach your kids, police the streets. Maybe a professional local musician could… Naaah!

  • http://www.shovemedia.com jon williams

    can somebody start a petition to have them yank the plug on this? I admire the effort, really, i do. I know how much time and money and meeting after meeting after meeting must have gone into it.
    Trouble is, it will have exactly the opposite of the intended effect — all the people you were trying to convince of how awesome Raleigh is (and it IS dammit) are going to come away with a negative opinion.
    Hire a professional to fix your car, build your house, teach your kids, police the streets. Maybe a professional local musician could… Naaah!

  • clare

    I watched it first with the sound off and I have to agree with this poster:
    “if Raleigh could find its own unique identity and traits, then it wouldn’t have to define itself in terms of others’ criteria. what is it about Raleigh that makes it unique?”
    What is missing more than anything else in this video is clear, focused message. Shine? OK, then that needs to be in the video: people shining/thriving here. It is a mish mash of ideas, e.g. sporty/businessy/urban, and arbitrary lists. The “effects” are also cheesy, something I can do my lap top. It needs to be shorter, focused, and not relying of effects to make it _dynamic_.

  • justin

    I cringed when I saw the “Baby GAP” sign. How does that make us special??? There are plenty of exciting things to make Raleigh look good, why use footage of chain stores that everyone has???

  • clare

    I watched it first with the sound off and I have to agree with this poster:
    “if Raleigh could find its own unique identity and traits, then it wouldn’t have to define itself in terms of others’ criteria. what is it about Raleigh that makes it unique?”
    What is missing more than anything else in this video is clear, focused message. Shine? OK, then that needs to be in the video: people shining/thriving here. It is a mish mash of ideas, e.g. sporty/businessy/urban, and arbitrary lists. The “effects” are also cheesy, something I can do my lap top. It needs to be shorter, focused, and not relying of effects to make it _dynamic_.

  • justin

    I cringed when I saw the “Baby GAP” sign. How does that make us special??? There are plenty of exciting things to make Raleigh look good, why use footage of chain stores that everyone has???

  • Doug

    For the record, I didn’t post the comment about “boring redneck backwater.” I posted the comment above it. The placement of the dotted lines makes the comment appear to go with the previous name.

  • http://www.shovemedia.com/ jon williams

    Use the form here:
    http://www.raleighconvention.com/index.php/homepage/contact-us-form
    to let them know how you feel.
    Maybe it’ll dawn on them that *nobody* seems to have anything positive to say beyond (the occasional) “A for effort”.
    If that doesn’t work — we start with the phone calls. ;)

  • Doug

    For the record, I didn’t post the comment about “boring redneck backwater.” I posted the comment above it. The placement of the dotted lines makes the comment appear to go with the previous name.

  • http://www.shovemedia.com jon williams

    Use the form here:
    http://www.raleighconvention.com/index.php/homepage/contact-us-form
    to let them know how you feel.
    Maybe it’ll dawn on them that *nobody* seems to have anything positive to say beyond (the occasional) “A for effort”.
    If that doesn’t work — we start with the phone calls. ;)

  • http://xenographics.com/ Evil Ed

    Jon, Thanks for the link…my opinion (very much in line with the running average from above) has been noted and delivered via the Convention Center website.
    MUTE is a wonderful thing! And an occassional hand over the eyes helps too!

  • http://xenographics.com Evil Ed

    Jon, Thanks for the link…my opinion (very much in line with the running average from above) has been noted and delivered via the Convention Center website.
    MUTE is a wonderful thing! And an occassional hand over the eyes helps too!

  • Betsy

    Right after the video shows the text “Home of SPARK CON … a celebration of the Creative Class”, it follows up with a long, lingering view of the blue plastic paddle boats. I think that is where I lost my will to live.

  • Betsy

    Right after the video shows the text “Home of SPARK CON … a celebration of the Creative Class”, it follows up with a long, lingering view of the blue plastic paddle boats. I think that is where I lost my will to live.

  • Tony

    I agree with the posters who say we should use Petey Pablo. Or at least that it would be better.
    “Raleigh: 9-1-9 Mother$^@$^s!”
    vs.
    “Shine, Raleigh, Shine!”

  • Tony

    I agree with the posters who say we should use Petey Pablo. Or at least that it would be better.
    “Raleigh: 9-1-9 Mother$^@$^s!”
    vs.
    “Shine, Raleigh, Shine!”

  • jbroome

    Man, i’m an ASU graduate *and* live in raleigh. I’m not getting any promo love today.

  • jbroome

    Man, i’m an ASU graduate *and* live in raleigh. I’m not getting any promo love today.

  • Matt

    I kept thinking I was listening to Jon Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory”!

  • Matt

    I kept thinking I was listening to Jon Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory”!

  • Laura

    Oh boy. That piece of schlock even managed to embarrass ME, who doesn’t even live in Raleigh yet!
    Baby Gap and Starbucks? Why would someone visit The Triangle to experience those wonders?

  • Laura

    Oh boy. That piece of schlock even managed to embarrass ME, who doesn’t even live in Raleigh yet!
    Baby Gap and Starbucks? Why would someone visit The Triangle to experience those wonders?

  • Carol

    I’m in favor of “Raleigh: 9-1-9 Motherf$^@$^s!”
    Maybe we need to contact Petey Pablo and get him on it?

  • Carol

    I’m in favor of “Raleigh: 9-1-9 Motherf$^@$^s!”
    Maybe we need to contact Petey Pablo and get him on it?

  • Andy

    We’re in Raleigh! Ahyuk! Move yer tech business here! Yeeeee-HAWWW! *shoots revolvers in the air*

  • Andy

    We’re in Raleigh! Ahyuk! Move yer tech business here! Yeeeee-HAWWW! *shoots revolvers in the air*

  • DanRNC

    Its actually ok with “mute” on as others have said. Just get rid of all the references to hickdom and southern cornpone (dude with backwards baseball cap whose in his 30s, lady with 60s era perm-do at the end, “redneck hockey” guys (one guy is even wearing a Whalers sweater), old lady tautning someone with her apple, etc.

  • DanRNC

    Its actually ok with “mute” on as others have said. Just get rid of all the references to hickdom and southern cornpone (dude with backwards baseball cap whose in his 30s, lady with 60s era perm-do at the end, “redneck hockey” guys (one guy is even wearing a Whalers sweater), old lady tautning someone with her apple, etc.

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