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August/September 2004

RING OF FIRE SCORES WITH DYNAMIC NFL SUNDAY TICKET CAMPAIGN FOR DIRECTV

Leading digital effects studio Ring of Fire recently completed extensive compositing work on three high-energy spots for DIRECTV. "Hello Lambeau," "Nachos" and "Simon Says" highlight the NFL Sunday Ticket program offered by DIRECTV, and feature the antics of a huge football fan that has miraculously ended up in the NFL game footage.

"Hello Lambeau" opens with the voiceover announcing, "With NFL Sunday Ticket from DIRECTV, you can go everywhere the action is." A man, an avid football devotee, is shown running on to the field with a football team. "NFL Sunday Ticket is the closest you can to get to being at every game," continues the voiceover. The fan then proceeds to greet the cheering crowds in the stadium, "Hello Lambeau," shake hands with Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning and praise, "Love your work," slap another on the behind as the athlete stretches, dance with the cheerleaders and heckle the referee as he checks the replay monitor.

The other two spots follow a similar premise, highlighting the fan's so-called interactions with the football players and team personnel.
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HI-WIRE RIDES ON WITH WHIPLASH THE COWBOY MONKEY AND TACO JOHNS

Whiplash the "Cowboy Monkey" returns to his starring role in the new campaign for Taco Johns. This trio of spots continues the Mexican food chain's homage to the Western, but with a dog-riding monkey as the central hero. The spots were telecined by HI-WIRE colorist Oscar Oboza and received visual effects touches and online by Fire Artist Tony Mills, who enhanced the practical shots of Whiplash, and created the opening title sequence for each commercial.

In "Muchas Fajitas," an office worker admires his co-worker's lunch a grilled steak fajita platter from Taco Johns. When he asks where he got the lunch, his office mate points to Whiplash who happens to be sitting on his trusty "steed," just outside of the cubicle. "Got any more of those fajitas?" the hungry man queries. And with a flash, Whiplash rides away through a field and past the Taco Johns drive-through order window, where he whips the fajita platter out of a Taco Johns' employee's outstretched hands. "I love it when he does that," she says, admiringly. Gone with the sound of a whip crack, the Cowboy Monkey is off to deliver the tasty new grilled fajita platter.

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TERMINAL'S MARK GOODMAN TAKES VIEWERS INSIDE "INTERNAL ENGINE" IN NEW HONDA SPOT

The new commercial for Honda entitled "Internal Engine" reveals the lessons and the methods needed to win. Via ad agency RPA and shot by Director Richard Kizu-Blair of Cuculoris, the new spot was edited by Terminal's Mark Goodman. Fast-paced and visually compelling, "Internal Engine" began airing nationwide earlier this summer.

The :30 commercial opens with a focus on a Honda racecar as it zooms along a speedway. The voice-over, provided by Honda spokesperson Richard Dreyfuss, notes: "Inside every race is a lesson." The camera then dips inside the airbox of the car to take a sweeping internal view of the engine. The voice-over adds: "Inside every lesson is a way to win." The POV then explodes out through the tail pipe, giving a clear view of the racecar as it accelerates into the sunset. The spot concludes with the Honda logo and the end tag: "The power of dreams."

DAIRY GETS A COLORFUL MAKEOVER WITH HELP FROM DEEPMIX

Music design company DeepMix was recently called on by ad agency DDB Chicago to create an updated version of the Len Barry track "1-2-3."

In "New Side," dairy is moving on up the nutritional and dieting charts thanks to the new 3-A-Day campaign. The bright and colorful spot celebrates the health benefits of milk, cheese, and yogurt. Challenging the popular belief that dairy is fattening, the spot portrays healthy and fit women who are burning fat while receiving their nutritional value of calcium. The cheerful music of The Januaries, combined with vibrant images of fruity yogurt, cheddar cheese, and refreshing milk, make dairy and exercise irresistible. DeepMix, who arranged the music for 3-A-Day, successfully created a fun and delightful feel to deliver the good news about dairy to healthy people and weight watchers alike.

The innovative music company also contributed its expertise to a comedic spot for Bacardi via ad agency davidandgoliath, which features an authentic 80s rock track.