We open on a female psychiatrist and a distraught male patient. He called her to discuss a “serious” matter and the psychiatrist at first appears to be all ears. He tells his tale of woe, that his “worst fear” had been realized one day when he came home and opened the door.
He raises his head from his hands to see that the psychiatrist is no longer in her chair. Instead she’s standing and doing a bizarre parlor trick/juggling act.
A super appears on screen which reads, “Short Attention Span?” If so, the recommendation is that you check out the Worldwide Short Festival in Toronto presented by Telus. A logo for the Festival is accompanied by a website address (shorterisbetter.com).
Michael Downing directed “Psychiatrist” and two other spots in the campaign via production house Suneeva for agency Doug & Serge. (Downing is handled stateside by Epoch Films.)
Editor was Graham Chisholm of Relish.
Review: Director Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked”
It's the ultimate celebrity redemption tour, two decades in the making. In the annals of pop culture, few characters have undergone an image makeover quite like the Wicked Witch of the West.
Oh, she may have been vengeful and scary in "The Wizard of Oz." But something changed — like, REALLY changed — on the way from the yellow brick road to the Great White Way. Since 2003, crowds have packed nightly into "Wicked" at Broadway's Gershwin Theatre to cheer as the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba rises up on her broomstick to belt "Defying Gravity," that enduring girl-power anthem.
How many people have seen "Wicked"? Rudimentary math suggests more than 15 million on Broadway alone. And now we have "Wicked" the movie, director Jon M. Chu's lavish, faithful, impeccably crafted (and nearly three-hour) ode to this origin story of Elphaba and her (eventual) bestie — Glinda, the very good and very blonde. Welcome to Hollywood, ladies.
Before we get to what this movie does well (Those big numbers! Those costumes!), just a couple thornier issues to ponder. Will this "Wicked," powered by a soulful Cynthia Erivo (owner of one of the best singing voices on the planet) and a sprightly, comedic, hair-tossing Ariana Grande, turn even musical theater haters into lovers?
Tricky question. Some people just don't buy into the musical thing, and they should be allowed to live freely amongst us. But if people breaking into song delights rather than flummoxes you, if elaborate dance numbers in village squares and fantastical nightclubs and emerald-hued cities make perfect sense to you, and especially if you already love "Wicked," well then, you will likely love this film. If it feels like they made the best "Wicked" movie money could buy — well, it's... Read More