Like its lauded predecessor Back To The Start, Chipotle’s new ambitious short–The Scarecrow, out of CAA Marketing–features an ecological message, an accomplished vocalist’s cover of a well-known song (Fiona Apple crooning “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) and eloquent animation.
The latter is compliments of Moonbot Studios in Shreveport, Louisiana, winner of a Best Animated Short Film Oscar in 2012 for The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore. Music supervision on The Scarecrow was handled by duotone audio group.
The Scarecrow pits crows against crows, except this time the latter are the scary ones. The robotic crows operate the Crow Foods factory which churns out processed foods. The factory’s workers are scarecrows who have lost their jobs on the farm. In the bleak factory, cows and chickens are pumped full of hormones. One scarecrow, though, ultimately breaks out and forms his own restaurant where he serves all natural food.
While several of the same dynamics in The Scarecrow carry over from Back To The Start, the major new wrinkle in this latest initiative is an interactive game designed to further engage audiences. Players can rescue animals and bring them to open pastures while also bringing wholesome foods to residents of a city called Plenty.
Here’s The Scarecrow short:
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