Rob Pritts of Backyard directed this comically informative :30 PSA which delivers everything you need for a gag, but not for an emergency. This American Red Cross PSA features a husband attempting to justify his funny-but-useless emergency supply kit selections to his wife.
The PSA opens on the couple in a darkened, candlelit basement. Notes the wife, “That was some storm,” followed by her cheerful husband grinning ear-to-ear, “Good thing I packed an emergency kit.” He opens it to reveal: chocolate frosting, soy sauce, a bag of glass. He also takes out a stuffed squirrel, “Here’s Nancy. Can you hold her?” His wife recoils as he hands Nancy over. A board game, nunchucks and ‘DJ Parking Only’ sign follow, to which the wife declares, “We’re doomed.” A voiceover concludes as the couple prepares properly, “Try having a better plan. The first step is putting together a three-day supply of useful items.” The American Red Cross / Prepare SoCal logo closes out the PSA.
Agency is BBDO Atlanta. The campaign also includes a :90 version for the web.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More