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January 2006

Ad Agency Mullen Turns Again to Mad Mad Judy's Steve Hamilton For Star-Studded XM Satellite Radio Spot "Lost"

For a third time in a row, ad agency Mullen has turned to Editor/Sound Designer Steve Hamilton at Mad Mad Judy to complete a celebrity-filled spot for client XM Satellite Radio. Entitled "Lost," the 60-second commercial (with several 30-second variations) features Snoop Dogg as he searches for his favorite chain amid the star entertainment at XM Satellite Radio's studios. Directed by Baker Smith of Harvest, and ending so appropriately to David Bowie's famous tune "DJ," the humorous spot also features such A-List talent as: Ellen DeGeneres, Martina McBride, Derek Jeter and of course Bowie himself.

"Lost" begins with Snoop Dogg at his desk at the XM Satellite Radio Studios searching feverishly for something. He phones New York Yankee's Derek Jeter to see if he has it. "I haven't seen it," answers the popular baseball player and this launches Snoop's hunt in earnest. He stalks the hallway, engages in an awkward and funny adlib miming session through the sound proof window of Ellen DeGeneres' studio that ends with her interpreting, "You want to be Amish? Okay." Snoop gives up and moves on. He asks Martina McBride who's playing live with her band, and when she signs, "No," and continues singing her heart out it's back to the hallway where he checks under a lobby pillow and finally finishes off at David Bowie's booth where Bowie guest DJs a world music session. "No, Snoop," he says, "I don't have it." Snoop leaves a suspicious looking Bowie who finally after watching Snoop go on his way, leans back to reveal that he indeed has grabbed the key to Snoop Dog's magic -- the ever-gleaming, diamond encrusted, "Snoop" medallion. The spot ends with the XM Satellite Radio end-tag and a note from the narrator: "Listen Large. Only on XM Satellite Radio."

Hamilton notes how great it was to work with such a star-studded cast as "everybody really brought a lot to the table. Watching 30 minutes of footage between Snoop Dogg and Ellen DeGeneres ad-libbing gestures and lines between the studio window provided some of the most enjoyable moments of my editing career. And when David Bowie, not to be outdone, throws in his awkward little soul power salute in response to Snoop Dogg's Hip Hop "peace" sign, I knew I'd found the perfect ending!"

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CUT & RUN IS LONG ON SHORTS

Company Editors Cut Sundance, Glamour and Other Award-Winning Shorts

Editorial company Cut + Run has been committed to contributing to a diversity of projects including short films since its inception. The company recently unveiled three shorts, the only two UK dramas selected this year for the Sundance Film Festival January 19-29th and another that premiered on Thursday, December 8th at the Glamour magazine's Reel Moments reception. Additionally, London Editor Nick Diss has returned from The Festival International de Cine de Gijon (Northern Spain) where 'Tube Poker' a film written, produced + directed by Simon Levene and edited by Diss won the award for Best Short Film at the festival.

Edited by Dan Robinson of Cut + Run/London, "Antonio's breakfast" and "A Supermarket Love Song" will debut in competition at the Sundance Film Festival. "Wait" was edited by Saska Simpson as part of the Glamour magazine "Reel Moments" competition.

"Antonio's Breakfast" is the second of three films Robinson has cut for Director Daniel Mulloy. The first, "Sister," picked up a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Winner Best Short Film Wales 2005 and also the ARTE Short FIlm Award, 2005 Hamburg International Film Competition.

"A Supermarket Love Song" is an accessible, moving tale of a young girl who has to take old man to the supermarket as part of her community service. As the journey progresses they begin to communicate, and realize that they have more in common than they would have expected. Outram is a commercials director currently working out of Moon Films in London. He won a Young Director award at Cannes in 2004, and a silver hammer at the Baltic advertising festival this year.

One of four shorts in Glamour "Reel Moments" film project, "Wait" was directed by Trudy Styler stars Kerry Washington (Fantastic Four, Mr. & Mrs. Smith) and Debi Mazar (Collateral, Entourage). The film centers on a chance reunion brought about by unusual circumstances one evening at a NYC restaurant. Each of the "Reel Moments" films draw upon the real-life inspirational stories by the magazine's women readers.

"Tube Poker" is an original short film written and directed by Simon Levene of Therapy Films about a dangerous, addictive game. The film includes interviews, foreign news reports and undercover police footage.

Earlier this year, Editor Dayn Williams edited the multi-award winning "Cashback" directed by Sean Ellis that kes the viewers into the mind of Ben an art college student in London, whose artistic imagination runs wild as he works the late-night shift at the local supermarket. The short was awarded Best Short Film at the Chicago and Audience Award at HypeFest in 2005.

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FINAL CUT OFFERS CHRISMAHANUKWANZAKAH

Virgin Mobile returns with its Chrismahanukwanzakah campaign this holiday season with a spoof on a toll-free helpline via ad agency Fallon. Eric Zumbrunnen of Final Cut edited the spot, which was created in a :60 and two :30 versions.

In "Chrismahanukwanzakah Helpline," no matter what your creed or culture, the eclectic mix of characters -- from a caveman to a gay elk to a Buddhist cowboy -- will help you find the perfect phone. The spot is a continuation of the Chrismahanukwanzakah holiday, which was introduced last year by Virgin Mobile. Art Director Scott O'Leary and Copywriter Ryan Peck proposed the idea of a helpline (1-888-ELF-7667) where holiday shoppers can call for advice on what to get even the pickiest person. Viewers can call the actual number and hear "pre-recorded" conversations with the madcap collection of Chrismahanukwanzakah characters.

Editor Eric Zumbrunnen credits the strong concept and collaboration with the agency creatives for such a successful process, as well as his comfortable working relationship with O'Leary and Peck having previously partnered with them on other campaigns.

"They are very open and supportive people," concludes Zumbrunnen. "We spent most of the time laughing and trying to make each other laugh. The idea was very funny and they nailed the whole feel of a telethon. Much of the work was done in essence ahead of time and it was great to put the finishing touches on something so well conceived."

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