Directed by Sorrel Brae of Native Content for agency David&Goliath LA, this PSA from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance rallies behind this year’s Earth Day theme “Invest in Our Planet.” It begins with two conservationists in the cold-Arctic winter protecting polar bears, and acknowledging their supporters. They do so by singing a familiar song to us all: “Thank You for Being a Friend.” The song continues to be sung by community-led conservationists in different locations–from duos in the rainforest observing a sloth on a tree, another pair tending to a large tortoise, a rock climber checking in on unhatched owl eggs along a cliff, to a safari conservationist recording an endangered rhino on the savanna. The spot ends with the tagline “Thank you for supporting wildlife conservation. Without you, there’s no them.”
It’s not only a show of gratitude but also an invitation for more people to become friends of wildlife around the world by supporting the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
“Often PSAs can take a serious or dire tone,” said Courtney Pulver, executive creative director at David&Goliath. “But we wanted this campaign to feel more celebratory.”
Ben Purcell, chief creative officer at David&Goliath, added, “With this new take on The Golden Girls theme, we’re pretty sure lifelong animal lover Betty White would be smiling.”
Credits
Client San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Agency David&Goliath, LA David Angelo, founder & creative director; Ben Purcell, chief creative officer; Blake Winfree, chief of social impact; Courtney Pulver, executive creative director/copywriter; Robert Casillas, executive creative director/art director; Israel Medeiros, Evan Bross, associate creative directors/art directors; Marcos Botelho, Chris Davis, associate creative directors/copywriters; Paul Albanese, managing director, broadcast production; Jane Krull, sr. producer. Production Company Native Content Sorrel Brae, director; Kai Saul, DP; Teresa Sparky Pomeroy, exec producer; Tomer DeVito, managing partner; Sean Blair, exec producer/head of production. Editorial Spinach Adam Bright, editor; Marshall Thompson, assistant editor; Robby Salisbury, second assistant editor; Cristy Torres, sr. producer; Jonathan Carpio, exec producer. Color JAMM Beau Leon, colorist; Carver Moore, color assist; Jon Lazar, color producer. VFX Spinach Christopher Moore, VFX supervisor/lead Flame artist; Ian Dawson, producer; Adam Bright, exec producer. Additional VFX JAMM Alex Snookes, VFX supervisor/lead compositor; Brady Doyle, Toma Bowen, Kevin Pierce, Nuke artists; Zak DiMaria, CG supervisor; Jaguar Lee, Steven Nelson, Ben Martin, Elyse Resseguie, Yu Fujii, CG artists; Stew Burris, animator; Brandon Kachel, matte painter; Anna Dood, producer; Asher Edwards, exec producer. Audio Margarita Mix Nathan Dubin, sound designer/mixer; Paula Arnett, Whitney Morris, exec producers. Music Song: “Thank You For Being a Friend,” written by Andrew M. Gold (BMI); published by Luckyu Music (BMI); admin by songs of Kobalt Music Publishing. Arrangement Company Mophonics Stephan Altman, creative director; Colette Huemer, exec producer; Shelley Altman, head of production.
Top Spot of the Week: EHRAC, Animation Studio NOMINT Depict Life “In Limbo” As Families Search For Loved Ones
This animated film titled In Limbo depicts the journey of a heroic woman protagonist representing the countless families in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe (where Chechnya is situated) searching for their forcibly disappeared loved ones. Utilizing theatrical elements, the film highlights the unnatural disruption caused by enforced disappearances and delves into the profound trauma these families endure. It emphasizes their long battles with the domestic authorities as they seek answers. The film also underscores the vital role of community support in helping these families cope and continue their fight for answers, serving as a compelling call to action for justice and human rights.
Through intimate storytelling, In Limbo raises awareness of the ongoing uncertainty that leaves families in a perpetual state of limbo, unable to find closure.
Directed by Afterman--the animation duo consisting of Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North--and created and produced by London-based animation studio NOMINT, In Limbo was commissioned by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC).
In a joint statement, Zdraveva and North shared, “Our film takes place on a theater stage, highlighting how such tragedies are far removed from ordinary life,” they continued. “The stage is circular, resembling an artificial, perpetually spinning obstacle course, with a target—the red tail lights—just within sight yet never within reach, symbolizing the family’s never-ending quest for justice.”
“We used a limited primary color palette to contrast the two worlds all families are pulled between. Minimalist compositions of starkly silhouetted characters and environments create the ominous atmosphere of a deeply painful and... Read More