Biscuit Filmworks produced this PSA for the National Partnership for Women & Families promoting the organization’s mission of advancing a comprehensive national paid family and medical leave policy. The spot, “A Long Five Years,” was directed by Aaron Stoller, voiced by Sophia Bush, and provides a bittersweet comedic take on the serious challenges faced by the more than 100 million U.S. workers who do not have paid family leave through their jobs.
The spot centers around “Lauren,” a massively 260-week pregnant paralegal who can’t afford to take time away from her job to give birth, so she’s opted to stay pregnant until she has stockpiled enough vacation time to take leave without experiencing financial hardship. Lauren deftly maneuvers her car, cramped office cubicle and toilet stall hefting her enormous belly and making a bold statement about the lack of family and medical leave policies in the U.S.
Client National Partnership for Women & Families Creative Jessica Coulter, Eli Terry, creative directors; Tara Leinwohl, executive producer. Production Biscuit Filmworks Aaron Stoller, director; Monica Lenczewska, DP; Shawn Lacy, managing director; Holly Vega, exec producer; Rachel Glaub, Mercedes Allen-Sarria, heads of production; Mala Vasan, producer; Peter Owen, production supervisor; Tim Moen, production designer. Editorial Arcade Edit Geoff Hounsell, editor; Damian Stevens, managing partner; Crissy DeSimone, exec producer; Kirsten Thon-Webb, head of production; Adam Becht, sr. producer; Laura Sanford, assistant editor. Online Timber Brian Shneider, lead Flame; Austin Lewis, Flame assist; Gabriel Valente Ferrao, designer; Lauren Loftus, VFX producer; Sabrina Elizondo, exec producer. Telecine Company 3 Bryan Smaller, colorist; Ashley McKim, exec producer; Adam Van Wagner, producer. Audio Post Lime Studios Jeff Malen, mixer; Susie Boyajan, exec producer. Music Walker Robert DiPietro, composer; Sara Matarazzo, executive music producer; Julianne Wilson, music producer.
Top Spot of the Week: John Lewis’ “The Gifting Hour” Directed By Francois Rousselet For Saatchi & Saatchi UK
The 2024 Christmas ad from John Lewis department stores has arrived. This year’s much anticipated TV commercial, continuing the Xmas tradition of John Lewis, is the two-minute “The Gifting Hour" created by Saatchi & Saatchi UK and directed by Francois Rousselet via production house Riff Raff.
In the ad, the heroine, Sally, has left it a little late to find the right gift for her sister this year and races into a John Lewis store at closing time. Falling through a rack of dresses, she enters a fantastical world. We first see her stumbling out of the wardrobe in the attic of her childhood home and from here we are taken on a whimsical journey through her memories as she searches for the ultimate present, against the clock.
Returning to the store and back to reality she has found the perfect gift, ready and wrapped. Sally then heads outside and has a special moment with her sister who will be the gift’s recipient. As they walk away we see her sister reflected in the John Lewis window as the child from her memories.
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