A man is being dragged stomach down along a sidewalk. As he’s being whisked across the front of what looks like a school playground, we see that he is holding a leash but we cannot see the other end and whom or what is attached to it.
Next he’s being dragged down some cement stairs and then down an alley, causing him to collide into a trash can. Seemingly holding onto the leash for dear life, the man is dragged down an incline into the path of a park jogger. He upends the jogger and continues to be propelled across the park. Next we see him being dragged into and through a wooden fence and then past a bus kiosk, shattering the glass.
Finally the wild ride stops in a grassy park area, at which point his trusty dog–who’s been pulling the leash–comes into view and licks his master repeatedly on the face. This show of affection is followed by a continuation of the dog pulling man through another obstacle course which is left to our imagination.
An end tag contains a product shot of different pet food bags and containers, as a voiceover explains that “increased energy” is one of the benefits associated with all the natural pet food sold at Petco, “where the pets go.”
“What A Drag” was directed by Paul Goldman of bicoastal/international Partizan for M&C Saatchi, Santa Monica. The DP was Glynn Speckhardt.
The M&C team consisted of creative director Martin Dix, art director Jay Gundzik, copywriter Craig Ghiglione and producer Wendi Weger.
Editor was Adam Parker of Chrome, Santa Monica. Visual effects house was Ring of Fire, Santa Monica.
Music composer was Brian Chapman of Beacon Street Studios, Venice, Calif. Sound designer/audio mixer was Sam Casas of Lime Studios, Santa Monica.
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