Havas Worldwide and director Steve Miller of @radical.media team again on Dos Equis’ “The Most Interesting Man in the World” campaign, this time with the iconic character providing his tongue-in-cheek advice on the holiday Cinco de Mayo.
Titled “The Most Interesting Man in the World on Cinco de Mayo,” the spot was cut by Jeff Ferruzzo of Arcade Edit. The commercial is part of the brand’s “Dos de Mayo” extended campaign celebration. Fans can visit Facebook.com/DosEquis throughout April for updates on ongoing contests, news, and information on how they can start their holiday celebrations with Dos Equis.
CreditsClient Dos Equis Agency Havas Worldwide, New York Jason Peterson, chief creative officer; Jim Hord, executive creative director; Paul Fix, Jamie Overkamp, creative directors; Matthew Hock, David Fredette, associate creative directors; Marty Bonacorso, writer; Melissa Ploysophon, art director; Andrew Niemira, jr. writer; Melissa Stammer, jr. art director; Vin Farrell, global chief content officer; Dave Evans, Sylvain Tron, co-heads of production; Jill Meschino, executive producer. Production @radical.media Steve Miller, director; Bryan Newman, DP; Gregg Carlesimo, exec producer; Barbara Benson, producer. Editorial Arcade Edit Jeff Ferruzzo, editor; Sila Soyer, exec producer. Post Studio 6 Johnny Starace, VFX supervisor/Flame artist; Melati Phohan, exec producer; Eric Thompson, audio engineer; Brett Fuchs, music composer. Post Company 3 Tom Poole, colorist. Audio Sound Lounge Peter Holcomb, partner/mixer.
Filmmaker Natalie Johns Creates Spec Gun Violence Prevention PSA
Her social media feed is filled with frustration and “prayers” for families torn apart by yet another mass shooting as filmmaker Natalie Johns is engaged in the morning ritual of negotiating school attendance with her 4½-year-old. Between laughing and arguing with their daughter, the Johns think deeply about the prospect of waking up without her--deeply enough to feel an inch of what it might be like to lose her--a feeling profound enough inspire her most personal commitment to date as a filmmaker.
“Gun violence should not be a normalized part of life in America,” she noted. “I felt it was worth putting my whole heart on the line to deliver this message.”
The director invited her long-time collaborator and cinematographer, Bill Kirstein (Mean Girls, Happyend), to capture their family’s experience over several mornings in a spec PSA. She wanted to capture her own joy and truth as a parent with a view to inspiring action from the deepest love she has known.
On the third day of filming, Johns received an email from their daughter’s preschool notifying parents of a lockdown that had occurred due to a gunman outside the school. The children, aged 2-5, were gathered in a small bathroom for an hour, singing songs with their teachers while the man was apprehended by law enforcement. This was the family’s first narrow escape from tragedy.
“The coincidence of filming this PSA and experiencing my family’s first lockdown was both shocking and surreal. I simply could not wrap my head around it,” said director Johns.
Even more terrifying for Johns was discussing the incident with other parents who had already experienced several lockdowns with their older children. This reality is all too common and far too... Read More