Nir Bashan gained inclusion in the fifth annual SHOOT New Directors Showcase (see coverage in this issue) largely on the strength of “Brand New,” a spec viral spot he conceived, helmed, produced, shot and edited for Honda. The piece was first featured this past March in “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery and has since been joined by a couple other virals that continue to follow the exploits of Chet, the “Brand New” driver who pampers his Honda because it’s been so good to him. “Only” 14 years old with an excess of 216,000 miles on the odometer, the car is still “brand new” in his mind given its stellar, reliable performance.
“Brand New” has been followed by Honda spec fare “Mechanic” and “Hot Date,” constituting what is now shaping up as a series of spec webisodes from Bashan who, as earlier reported, joined BeachHouse Films, Santa Monica. Now it’s “Hot Date” that has made SHOOT’s “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery, again starring Chet and his off-camera buddy/Honda passenger.
“Hot Date” opens on Chet in a store buying a sewing pattern kit that will enable him to make eight shirts for six bucks. He boasts to his unseen pal about this great do-it-yourself clothing deal.
Next, we see Chet wearing a sporty shirt and behind the wheel of his Honda to pick up a blind date, who turns out to be an eyeful. He puckers up only to have the lass hold her dog Muffin up to his lips. So much for an ice-breaking kiss. His lovely date sits in the front passenger seat and appears a bit taken aback by the presence of Chet’s bud in the backseat.
Asked if the buddy is going to be dropped off, Chet replies yes. The gal then proceeds to give Chet directions to Starbucks, pointing and in the process repeatedly touching the windshield while Muffin is perched on the dashboard.
Showing restraint
Since we know Chet from the earlier spec virals, we fully realize that these encroachments on his beloved Honda’s dashboard and windshield are more than a minor annoyance to him. He wipes the windshield a couple of times but otherwise holds his tongue since his blind date is so hot. Actually, he’s relieved that she seems relatively normal, saying to her that he was worried from her online photo that she might have had a “unibrow” (one eyebrow straight across from the caveman era).
Next, we see Chet and his date at a Starbucks table, sitting in silence. Clearly there’s no chemistry between them. Though she’s a vegetarian, he suggests they go to a nearby hot dog stand. Reminded that she doesn’t eat meat, he comes up with alternatives like a turkey dog and a corn dog. His buddy’s hand then enters the picture and grabs a cup of Starbucks’ brew; the assumption that he had already been dropped off clearly was wrong. Furthermore, the gal is unimpressed that Chet made the shirt that he’s wearing.
Back in the car to continue their “fun” date, Chet puckers up again but to no avail. Instead the woman takes her shoes off and puts her feet on the dashboard. Chet excuses himself from the car, steps outside and goes on a rant–about her abusing his Honda–which we can hear in part despite the windows being up.
He returns to tell the girl, whom he refers to as Mindy, that he cannot marry her. She inaccurately calls him Chad, affirming that he’s “a creep” and wants to be driven home. Chet encourages her to let all the anger out but their date is beyond repair. The backseat buddy then sees an opportunity and asks Mindy what she’s doing Friday night. She pushes him–and the camera’s POV–away, ending the date and the viral piece.
“Brand New” start Based on its initial success, “Brand New” graduated from a single viral spot to a series of webisodes, spawning “Mechanic” and “Hot Date,” explained Patti Coulter, co-owner/executive producer of BeachHouse.
Besides the SHOOT recognition, “Brand New” led to BeachHouse signing Bashan. Additionally, “Brand New” just garnered a Silver Clio Award.
Bashan graduated last year from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. His filmography includes other spec spots, three short films–such as The Good Book, which was honored at the White Sands International Film Festival, New Mexico, in 2005–and a feature-length documentary titled The Kitchen. The latter is a behind-the-scenes look at the trials and tribulations of the chefs at work in the noted Santa Monica eatery Michael’s Restaurant. Bashan wrote, produced and directed The Kitchen, which gained exposure on Italy’s equivalent of HGTV.
