Creative production company Where the Buffalo Roam partnered with Google Brand Studio EMEA on The Bicycling Bookseller, a heartwarming story about Mattia Garavaglia, a local bookstore owner in Turin, Italy. This three-and-half-minute film is a story of hope and resilience navigating the pandemic as a small business owner – and how Google Maps helped make it happen.
Garavaglia’s dreams of owning his own bookshop were nearly shattered when COVID-19 hit. Looking for new ways to stay connected with his customers and community, he posted a photo of himself and his bike on social media with the caption, “I’ll come to you.” Within days, Garavaglia was hand-plotting 50 delivery points around the city and spending hours on his bike. With the help of Google Maps, he was able to efficiently navigate the quickest bike routes and deliver more books in half the time. In the true spirit of camaraderie, Garavaglia also partnered with another local business, NORA Book & Coffee, to help extend their reach even further.
“We all wanted the takeaway of this film to be about hope,” said director Jonathan Zames of Where the Buffalo Roam. “We love working with Google. They always do a great job of keeping the story about the person, which allowed us to focus on Mattia’s ingenuity and passion for his community.”
Trying to shoot an international production while under lockdown presented parallels between Garavaglia’s story of problem-solving and perseverance. Where the Buffalo Roam traveled to Turin, Italy, for the late summer production, which required a two-week quarantine before shooting began.
Zames, Where the Buffalo Roam partner/executive producer Tim Pries, and DP David McMurry utilized the lock-in for exploring visual inspiration–everything from film to photography to lighting and lenses–while meticulously planning shoot logistics, such as location scouting, permits, and sourcing production equipment.
“This shoot only underscored how fortunate we, like Mattia, are to keep doing what we love, even under abnormal circumstances,” concluded Zames. “To come through a big adventure at a time like this made it all the more special.”
CreditsClient Google Brand Studio EMEA Ben Malbon, sr. director, Google Marketing; Dan Germain, executive creative director; Lou Trethewey, head of production; Kelsey Conklin, creative producer; Stevie Yip, Mike Dorrance, art directors; Amy Durrant, copywriter. Production Where The Buffalo Roam, Oakland, Calif. Jonathan Zames, director; Tim Pries, exec producer; David McMurry, DP; Christine Whitney, head of production; Eden Cooney, coordinator. On-Location Production Company Panorama Films, Roma, Italy Fabio Aneto, exec producer; Ute Leonhardt, producer. Stock Footage Shutterstock, NY Erik Kinoglaz, drone footage pull; Emli Bendixen, photographer. Editorial Where The Buffalo Roam Collin Kriner, editor. Postproduction MPC, London Phil Hambi, colorist; Edwin Elkington, exec producer. VFX Where The Buffalo Roam Simon Mowbray, sr. Flame artist. Sound Design/Audio Post Jungle Studios Digital Media + Post Production, London Chris Turner, sound designer/audio engineer. Music Asche + Spencer, Minneapolis Matt Locher, exec producer.
Top Spot of the Week: Director Jake Scott, Paramount Brand Studios “Make Your Gameday Epic” In “Gladiator II”-Inspired Pepsi Spot
Nearly 20 years after Pepsi’s “Roman Empire” made its mark on pop culture, the brand is returning to the arena with a colossal Gladiator-themed campaign titled, “Make Your Gameday Epic™.” Celebrating the start of the 2024 NFL season and the highly anticipated release of Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II in theaters on Nov. 22, this short film--directed by Jake Scott via RSA Films for Paramount Brand Studio features Megan Thee Stallion, as Empress Megan, leading a legion of NFL superstars turned Gridiron Gladiators, including Josh Allen, Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson and Travis Kelce, locked in an epic battle with ice-cold Pepsi at the heart of the action. A brand-new gameday anthem from three-time, Grammy award-winning artist Megan Thee Stallion soundtracks the campaign. The unmistakable “boom, boom, clap” from Queen’s epic track “We Will Rock You” is featured on a fresh sample with cutting new lyrics from Megan. The new track became available on all major music streaming platforms, and ahead of Megan hosting the 2024 MTV VMAs last night (9.11), where the track and music-video inspired spot were heard and seen throughout the show. “I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of the legends who appeared in this Gladiator campaign 20 years ago and proud to have carved my own new legacy,” said Megan Thee Stallion. “Pepsi really brought the worlds of music, sports and entertainment together in a powerful way to set off the new NFL season.” The spot opens with Lamorne Morris and Jake Lacy peering into a can of Pepsi Zero Sugar as it transforms into a colosseum. Empress Megan calls the shots, and the royal roster of NFL players are at her command as they all vie for her favor and a sip of an ice-cold Pepsi... Read More