“Bleep” is the title of one of our entries in this week’s “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery. The PSA promotes safe and courteous driving–but the significance of the project goes well beyond the subject matter.
“Bleep” is the latest spot from The Kangaroo Project, now in its fourth year. Sponsored by the nonprofit, Minneapolis-headquartered Sean Francis Foundation to mentor promising creative and filmmaking talent via the production of a public service TV spot that’s guaranteed airtime, The Kangaroo Project is a two-pronged annual competition.
The first leg of the competition is to come up with a concept to address a chosen public service issue. Established as well as up-and-coming creatives from around the country submit their concept entries, which are then judged by a cross-section of agency creatives and filmmaking artisans.
Once the winning concept is selected, aspiring directors submit treatments. Judges assess these treatments and select a helmer–this year’s winner being George Andrew “Andy” Basore, who’s been working as a production assistant in New York.
What makes The Kangaroo Project special are the opportunities it affords not only up-and-coming creative and directorial talent, but also crewmember hopefuls who are looking to gain experience and mentorship. A coterie of apprentices, called Joeys, work on The Kangaroo Project PSAs, so that they can learn about the business and gain on-the-job training and counsel from crew professionals. Prospective Joeys apply to work on the public service fare by logging onto The Kangaroo Project Web site (www.kangarooproject.com).
Part of The Kangaroo Project initiative is that the public service work that’s created actually gains airtime thanks to sponsorship from related organizations. This year’s PSA has secured support from the National Auto Dealers Association. Past Kangaroo Project public service causes have included organ donation and motorcycle safety. In fact, the latter PSA is still in demand as the Sean Francis Foundation recently received requests from five other states and Australia for permission to use “Oblivious Guy” in their motorcycle safety campaigns. It seems that a motorcycle enthusiast found the humorous spot on a demo reel online and passed it along to his friends and colleagues via the Internet, helping to generate renewed interest in the work.
Project organizer Julie Hartley, a veteran producer and production manager, teamed with members of the Minnesota production community to form the Sean Francis Foundation, named after her 20-year-old son who died in a motorcycle accident in 2000. From the group sprung The Kangaroo Project.
Francis was a production assistant and an aspiring producer. But with Francis’ life cut short, The Kangaroo Project was initiated to make an ongoing positive filmmaking contribution in his memory through nurturing and opening up opportunities for deserving creatives, directors and crewmembers–in some cases, helping them to start their careers.
The Kangaroo moniker grew out of the fact that the animal nurtures its baby in her pouch. The apprenticeships parallel this in that experienced crewmembers help Joeys take a hop forward in their chosen professions. The Kangaroo designation was also chosen because Francis was born in Australia.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More