Never underestimate the power of a threat. It can be a great motivator as a young man finds out in this :30 promoting the G4 gaming TV network’s Midnight Spank, a block of shows that starts at midnight on weekdays.
We open on a darkened bedroom in the still of the night. A man and a woman are fast asleep. That is until a voice wakes up the guy.
The voice says, “Hello Tom. You have to watch Midnight Spank.”
The source of the voice adds an eerie edge to the scenario–it’s that of a small guinea pig who’s perched on the bed, atop the sheet covering Tom.
A drowsy Tom protests, explaining that he cannot watch TV now because he’s too tired.
The guinea pig replies in a matter of fact manner, “Tom, do you want me to eat your other kidney.”
The camera then reveals a large blood stained splotch on the sheet, positioned where Tom’s kidney had been.
Tom understandably gives in, responding to his adversary’s query about wanting to have the other kidney devoured, “No, calico colored guinea pig.”
An offbeat message then appears on screen: “Watch Midnight Spank Or A Calico-Colored Guinea Pig Will Eat Your Kidney.”
An end tag carries a Midnight Spank logo, along with the G4 Web site address.
“Bedroom/Kidney” is part of a four-spot promo campaign directed by Daniel Kleinman via his former Kleinman Productions, London, for BBDO New York. (Kleinman has since opened U.K. house Rattling Stick in tandem with director Ringan Ledwidge.)
The BBDO team consisted of creative director Eric Silver, art director Richard Ardito, copywriter Grant Smith and producer Ed Zazzera.
Johnnie Frankel executive produced for Kleinman with James Hatcher serving as producer. The DP was Dave Ungaro.
Editor was Gary Knight of Final Cut, New York. Stephanie Apt and Sonali de Silva were executive producer and producer, respectively, for Final Cut. Assistant editor was Ashley Kreamer. Colorist was Tom Poole at The Mill, London. Flame artist was Mindy Dubin at Framestore, London.
Audio post mixer on “Bedroom/Kidney” was Rob DiFondi of Sound Lounge, New York. Sound designer was Terressa Tate of Final Cut.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More