Why do people call ads films? They’re not. People pay money to watch films. No one pays money to watch ads

It's a throwback term when we used film. Essentially the exact same process as making a long format film. - but mini.

There are plenty of 'Movies' that are 2 hour commercials.

Just as there are some commercials that are worthy of the monicker 'Films'.

Frame for frame, the big commercials of old cost more to make than most movies. It was a glorious time in production and I do miss it immensely.

Fincher, Tony Kaye, Pytka, Doug Liman, Micheal Bay, Ridley and Tony Scott, Joel Schumacher, Noam Murro are some of the Directors we worked with frequently.

They would call what we made films.

I dare you to tell your old high school buddies “I make films” and then explain that your most recent “film” was for Dunkin Donuts. See how seriously they take you as a FILMMAKER.

"Films." Shut up.

@AD1 You do not.

You do not know any ads that you would call films. You’re smarter than that.

You’re not making the right spots. I know plenty I would call films.

The irony is that a lot of people pay Hulu and Netflix so they don’t have to see our “films".

If we’re gonna do this, films aren’t really films either.

My banner ads are ultra wide screen films.

Film is the genre. No matter the length. Because ... wait for it ... it all used to be cut on film. I’m old.

It's just a way to try to elevate spots, with a Euro inflection. "TVC" is another one (television commercial) some people borrow from the Brits or Euros. It makes it sound arty and expensive, and like it needs a specialized experienced crew instead of a buster with an iphone X.

It's definitely pretentious, but making spots is rare these days, give them a break. Make fun of them for wearing a scarf indoors instead.

I don't know about y'all but I make banner ads

Lego Movie is a 2hr AD.

@Cw3 Why are you so angry? For the sake of your health, put down fishbowl and do something else. Like watch a film. On adweek.

i used to get weirded out being called a “creative.” but i eventually accepted it as jargon. now i carry around a moleskine and cry about clients ruining my vision.

Ok I’m gonna go ahead and admit that I use this word when talking about a video to a client whose idea of a video is usually a hard sell or has a hard product push inside it. To me, a film means it’s created so that people can enjoy it and the product is secondary to the experience of watching it. It also primes the client for how they should be evaluating every step of the production process. Ie: This is a film director who shoots beautifully, naturally lit etc and wed like to bring these elements into our piece too. Etc. so yeah, it might be a pompous term, but I find there’s a use there for what it communicates to those you’re selling it in to.

I would never use this word to describe it to my peers or non-advertising friends

Just an easier way to distinguish between different types of ads. As ‘ads’ could mean print or film or online etc.

That’s a big thing at BBDO. Calling them “spots” is seriously frowned upon. Ugh.

@SC1 It’s a commercial. Regardless of the medium on which it’s shown. Sorry. You make commercials.

Cannes says film. I say film.

@SC1 Your post was a ridiculous rationalization for using a pretentious term. If you “all know that” then wtf are you doing here? “Commercial” no longer connotes TV to most. Ask anyone in the Midwest what they had to sit through before they got to watch their YouTube video. Pretty sure they’re not going to say “Oh, I was treated to a film.” They’re going to say “a god damn commercial."

And if, as a Sr Copywriter, you couldn’t come up with anything other than a word that is typically thought of by those same midwesterners as a ninety to one hundred twenty minute video of narrative fiction (not created to sell a product or promote a brand) shown in a theater/on demand/streamed, shame on you.

You need something "more specific than ad.” Ugh. You need to realize what you do for a living.

For the sake of all of us that have to suffer through this bullshit, just stop.

I’m over here making videos, banner ads and trying to create experiences “never been done before” lol. I’m sorry but It makes me throw up a little when pretentious ad people call what we make “films” — come on! Even if they are sometimes pretty. Nothing is shot on on film anymore so please don’t say that. It just sounds douchey and stupid. My two cents.