On black-and-white film and through a swirling shroud of smoke the Grim Reaper appears. Anticipation builds as a deep male voiceover declares, "For a quarter of a century, the Atlanta Film & Video Festival has brought you the best in independent films."
A group of men assembles in the gloom. They jog to face Death, who silently directs them to form a circle around him and begin running counterclockwise. Shirtless and in dark pants, each man tucks his left hand under his right armpit, making gaseous sounds by lifting and lowering his right arm.
As we watch this adolescent action unfold, the voiceover continues describing great films at the fest, concluding, "…and this is so not one of them."
The Atlanta Film & Video Festival logo then appears against a black background. Beneath it is the slogan, "25 years of the good stuff."
We then return to the encircling of Death. This time the men show their versatility as the Grim Reaper gestures to them to change direction. They proceed to run clockwise, this time putting their right hands under their left armpits.
"Dance With Death" is one of two TV :30s/trailers conceived by Austin Kelley Advertising, Atlanta, to promote the festival. The agency team consisted of senior VP/executive creative director Jim Spruell, VP/associate creative director/copywriter Duncan Stone, art director Scott Hidinger and VP/director of broadcast production Sheryl Jessing.
The package was directed and shot by Jon Hill of Jon Hill Pictures, Atlanta. Leigh Hill served as executive producer, with Lisa Bilek the line producer.
Jay Hunt and Dave Ballard of Lab 601, Atlanta, were offline and online editor, respectively, on "Dance With Death." Lab 601’s support staff included managing director Karen Clint and operations manager Claudia Goodwin Cunningham.
Colorist was D.C. Cardinali of Crawford Communications, Atlanta. Crawford Communications’ coordinating producer was Shelly Culp. Visual effects compositor was Elizabeth Strickler of GSU Digital Arts & Entertainment Lab, Atlanta. Sound designer/audio mixer was Greg Crawford of Crawford Communications.
