This :30 spec spot opens on a man putting the pedal to the metal as he zooms down a deserted roadway. Sure enough, however, he soon has company as a highway patrol car appears, sirens flashing and blaring, to bring the speedster to justice.
The patrol car pulls over the lawbreaker. "You know how fast you were going?" asks the officer.
"About 175," responds the driver.
Then comes the departure from the norm as the cop offers some advice: "Well, get some new rubber on this left-hand side [of the car]. Take a lower line through these turns. You’ll probably get it up to 177."
The bewildered motorist misses a beat before finally responding, "Thanks."
"My pleasure," the cop says.
The motorist doesn’t hesitate to zoom off again, seemingly at an even higher speed than before.
A parting end tag puts this offbeat slice of life on the road in context. We see the NASCAR auto speed racing insignia, accompanied by the slogan, "How bad have you got it?"
"Cop" was directed by Thomas Cartier and produced via Corser Communications, Los Angeles, and Cartier’s TGC Enterprises, New York, in association with Group101Spots, the Southern California-based collective formed to help aspiring, up-and-coming directors produce work to reflect their talent. Dina Mande is the founder of Group101Spots; the collective’s Jeff Nicosia served as creative director.
The concept for "Cop" came from copywriter Jim Lansbury, who submitted the script to Group101 when he was at Team One Advertising, El Segundo, Calif. The idea originated several years earlier when Lansbury was in the San Francisco ad community. Lansbury is now on staff at Arnold Worldwide, McClean, Va.
Producers were John Corser and JP Patterson of Corser Communications. The DP was Brooks Guyer. Production designer was Steve Neff. Assistant director was John Isabeau. Production coordinator was Kevin Barrera.
Offline/online editor was Eric Bruggemann of The Blue Rock Editing Company, New York. Maria Fugere produced for Blue Rock. Graphics artist was Andreas Lee, also from Blue Rock.
Colorist was Mark Wilkins of R!OT, Santa Monica; Rhubie Jovano post produced for R!OT. Special effects artist was Kevin Wade of Nice Shoes, New York.
Precision stunt drivers were Brian Stewart, John Edwards and Tom Elliot.
