We open on a family in a video arcade. Dad gives his son some change and the lad goes off to play to his heart’s content, as mom looks on.
The parents’ faces beam with pride as they watch their child get behind the steering wheel of a driving simulation machine. However the adults’ jaws drop when they hear four-letter words spew from the boy’s mouth as he goes on a demolition derby-like ride on the simulator. Instead of beep-beep, the sounds emanating from this kid are literally bleep-bleep.
“Get out of the way, jack [bleep],” screams the boy.
“Use your [bleep]-ing blinker,” he yells at another driver.
“You idiot, get out of the [bleep]-ing lane.”
The first reaction shot shows both mom and dad mortified. The second shows mom looking disapprovingly at her husband.
“Where did you [bleep]-ing learn to drive, lady? China?” declares the kid.
A voiceover observes, “Drive like a [bleep], and others will follow. Drive responsibly or don’t drive at all.”
This PSA sprung out of The Kangaroo Project, which is in its fourth year. Sponsored by the Minneapolis-headquartered, nonprofit Sean Francis Foundation to mentor promising creative and filmmaking talent via the production of a public service TV spot that’s guaranteed airtime, the Kangaroo Project chose this year to make a PSA that promotes safe and courteous driving.
Competitions were held to find not only the concept, with assorted creative teams submitting entries, but also a director for the project. The concept came from Thom Sandberg, a veteran graphic designer who’s a fixture in the Minnesota ad community, and Mark Wirt, a freelance copywriter in Minneapolis. Sandberg heads Minneapolis-based graphic design firm The Kenyon Consortium.
The winning director–based on a treatment he submitted for the project–was George Andrew (“Andy”) Basore. An aspiring helmer, Basore has been working as a production assistant in New York.
The spot has already aired locally in Minneapolis. And The Kangaroo Project is working with the National Auto Dealers Association as well as other motor vehicle-related organizations to secure more airtime.
Kirk Hokanson of Voodoo Films, Minneapolis, executive produced “Bleep,” with Julie Hartley serving as producer. The DP was Pat Hall. Hartley and Hokanson teamed with members of the Minnesota production community to form the Sean Francis Foundation several years ago.
Kevin James of Post Facto, Minneapolis, was offline editor. Steve Medine of Pixel Farm, Minneapolis, was online editor. Colorist was Dave Sweet of Pixel Farm. Graphics artist was John Shirts of Voodoo Films.
Audio post mixers were Ken Chastain of Pixel Music, Minneapolis, and Jefferson Fee of Wow & Flutter, Minneapolis.
Principal actors were Joe Lovitt, Wendy Hinz and Brent Braunschweig.
The End of The “Rust” Criminal Case Against Alec Baldwin May Unlock A Civil Lawsuit
The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, attorneys for plaintiffs in the civil suit said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Los Angeles, victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won't appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge against Baldwin was dismissed halfway through trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.
Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie "Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
Allred said Hutchins' relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and "Rust" producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins' widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement.
"With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case," Allred said. "Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated."
Allred said she's ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship... Read More