With the popularity of movies like Babe, Stuart Little and Cats & Dogs, it’s no wonder we’re seeing more singing and speaking cats, dogs and other critters in commercials these days. In fact, this week’s Top Spot-a Visa ad created by BBDO New York-finds a bird, fish, dog and cat serenading their owner. If you are about to roll your eyes and say, "Big deal. We’ve seen this before," hold on. We probably haven’t ever seen this illusion so realistically achieved in a television commercial prior to the debut of this spot, in which the live action was directed by Erich Joiner of bicoastal Tool of North America, with Bill Westenhofer of Rhythm & Hues Studios, Los Angeles, serving as director for the visual effects portion of the spot. Shoot Online subscribers may read this week’s Top Spot of the Week in full by accessing the Current Issue in the Members Area.
CLIENT
Visa International Service Association.
PRODUCTION CO.
Rhythm & Hues Studios,
Los Angeles.
Bill Westenhofer, director; Michael Crapser, executive producer; Peggy Regan, producer; Stephanie Taylor, head of production; Alberto Noti, lead technical director; Patrick Hurd, coordinator; Bradley Sick, model department supervisor; Nancy Klimley and Yeen-Shi Chen, modelers; Quintin King, set up; Karl Maples, Evelyn Spencer and Scott Pennyroth, lighters; Hunter Athey and Glenn Ramos, animators; Eric Tsai, pipeline setup; Sam Nunez, tracking supervisor.
Tool of North America, bicoastal.
Erich Joiner, director; Bob Richardson, DP; Jennifer Sigel, executive producer; Scott Howard, producer; Mark Conley, production manager; Stefanie North, production coordinator; JP Flack, production designer; Ross Silverman, art director. Shot at Raleigh Studios Manhattan Beach, Manhattan Beach, Calif.
AGENCY
BBDO New York.
Ted Sann, chief creative officer; Jimmy Siegel, executive creative director; Rick Hanson, creative director/art director; John Greenberger, copywriter; Grant Gill, executive producer; Loren Parkins, executive music producer.
EDITORIAL
Crew Cuts, bicoastal.
Clayton Hemmert, partner/editor.
POST
Rhythm & Hues Studios.
Kevin Moseley, Flame artist
Buzz, New York.
Peter Flack, online editor.
Nice Shoes, New York
Chris Ryan, colorist.
AUDIO POST
Buzz, New York.
Mike Marinelli, engineer.
MUSIC
David Horowitz Music Associates (DHMA), New York.
David Horowitz, arranger.
