The world of Barb and Kev is turned upside down when drunk driving rears its ugly head, in this story that’s told with dolls. Directed by Paul Sapiano of Blind Spot Media, Santa Monica, the spec spot opens on Barb sitting in front of a mirror.
She reflects upon her life as she combs her golden hair. "I had it all—cars, clothes, a house in Malibu and Kev," she relates. "He was always the life of the party."
The camera then takes us to a pool party where boy toy Kev is in not-so-fine form, drinking excessively. A close up of Kev reveals that he’s so inebriated his eyes are crossed.
"Look at that drunk fool," says a female party guest.
"Yeah, but he’s such a fox," protests Barb.
"Who wants to do body shots?" asks a hammered Kev, who then falls into the pool.
"You need to ditch his drunk ass," says another doll to Barb.
But alas, Barb doesn’t take this sage advice. Instead, we see her next in a pink Corvette being driven by a drunk Kev.
"Slow down, you’re going too fast," Barb tells Kev.
"You know I drive better when I’m drunk," he retorts.
The inevitable then happens as we see an oncoming truck and hear a horrendous collision. Barb is thrown from the car upon impact.
The spot then takes us to a prison cell where Kev is being admired by some amorous male prisoners. "Kev is still the life of the party," relates Barb’s voiceover.
"But me," she continues, "my pool party days are over." We then see her reflection in the mirror—there’s a patch over one of her eyes, and she has deep facial scars. "Remember kids, I used to be pretty. Now I have one eye. Don’t drink and drive," she concludes.
Titled "Dolls Under the Influence," the spot ends with a supered message: "100 percent of convicted drunk drivers wish they had taken a cab. A message from MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving)."
Sapiano explained the rationale behind using dolls: "In some sick and twisted way, these dolls represent the American dream—the Malibu home, the car. … This spot illustrates how that dream can quickly turn into a nightmare if you drink and drive. I used dolls because it makes the message more palatable. With real people, it would be a dark and tragic spot, rather than dark and comic."
Sapiano’s support team at Blind Spot Media included company president Lisa Cobb and executive producer/producer Steve Johnson. This spec piece was shot by DP Aaron Bowen. Production designer was George McWilliams. The models and miniatures were created by Los Angeles-based artist Matt Burlingham.
Copywriters were Sapiano and freelancers Ken Ratcliffe and Wendy Caron. Art director was Zev Tankus, also a freelancer.
Paul Bertino freelanced as editor/sound designer. Also working on a freelance basis was online editor/Smoke artist Philip Ineno. Colorist was Dan Garsha of Fotokem, Burbank, Calif. Audio mixer was Eric Ryan of RavensWork, Venice, Calif.
