How does Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s celebrate the release of their Most American Thickburger–which includes a split hot dog, Lays Kettle Cooked Potato Chips atop a charbroiled 100 percent Black Angus hamburger patty, American cheese, served on a fresh baked bun?
The selected means of celebrating the over-the-top burger is an over-the-top “Most American Thing Ever” commercial directed by Baker Smith of harvest for 72andSunny.
The ad opens on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2014 Rookie of the Year model Samantha Hoopes eating a Most American Burger—in a hot tub. The hot tub is in a pickup truck driven by professional bull rider Douglas Duncan. The truck is on an aircraft carrier, next to the Statue of Liberty–under fireworks.
The featured pickup truck was custom built by 72andSunny, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s by fusing two separate trucks together and adding a hot tub to the bed of the massive vehicle.
The spot debuts on June 1, sandwiched between two of America’s most patriotic holidays, Memorial Day and Independence Day.
CreditsClient Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Agency 72andSunny Glenn Cole, chief creative officer; Justin Hooper, Mick DiMaria, group creative directors; Tim Wettstein, creative director/designer; Mark Maziarz, creative director/writer; Ryan Davis, designer; Reilly Baker, jr. writer; Matt Johnson, group strategy director; Eddie Moraga, strategist; Sam Baerwald, director of film production; Molly McFarland, executive film producer; Juliet Diamond, sr. film producer; Brooke Horne, film producer; Kira Linton, jr. film producer; Taylor Stockwell, film production coordinator. Production harvest Baker Smith, director; Bonnie Goldfarb, co-founder/executive producer; Rob Sexton, exec producer; Niko Whelan, head of production; Vincent Oster, producer. Editorial Rock Paper Scissors Christjan Jordan, editor; Angela Dorian, exec producer. VFX Jam Visual Inc. Jake Montgomery, Andy Boyd, VFX supervisors; Asher Edwards, producer. Post Beach House Mike Pethel, colorist; Denise Brown, producer. Audio On Music and Sound Chris Winston, composer/sound designer.
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