A watchdog sleeps peacefully on the front lawn of a home. Suddenly he awakens, stirred to vigilance by an instinctive feel that something is amiss. The pooch looks about but cannot find anything wrong.
As the dog surveys its domain from a grassy perch, in the background we see a bush moving toward the front door. The camera reveals what’s underneath that shrubbery—a mail carrier who’s fortunate the canine doesn’t have eyes in the back of its head. The postman gingerly drops off the mail at the house and carefully slinks away.
We then cut away to military footage, as a voiceover recommends that we "enter ‘The Combat Zone,’ " referencing the military programming on the Outdoor Life Network, where we can learn about the art of warfare, including camouflage. Actual footage from the network fare is shown.
The spot then returns us to our shrub-covered mail carrier, who is now walking along the sidewalk. His path crosses that of a woman, and the two matter-of-factly exchange greetings—"Good morning, Pete" followed by "Good morning, Mrs. Anderson"—as the mailman continues his appointed rounds.
This spec promo—designed to help brand the Outdoor Life Network—was directed and produced by Tom Cartier via his TGC Enterprises, New York. Cartier is building a spec reel to showcase his directorial prowess and gain representation via an established commercial production house. This is the second time his spec fare has gained inclusion in "The Best Work You May Never See" gallery—the first occasion coming five months ago for a Volvo ad titled "Date" (SHOOT, 9/5/03, p. 11).
The Outdoor Life Network promo was conceived by copywriter Jim Lewin and art director Lonnie Anderson, who furnished Cartier with the concept for spec purposes. Lewin and Anderson are a creative team at McCann-Erickson, New York. They also brought in agency staffer Dennis Balk to design graphics for the military footage sequence. Now that the spec piece has turned out so well, Lewin and Anderson are presenting it to the client with the hope that Outdoor Life Network might find a place for it."Delivery" was shot by DP Ted Wachs. Cecily Kaston was the first assistant director. Trish Fuller of The Whitehouse, New York, edited the spot. Julie Rechsteiner produced for The Whitehouse. Online editor was Matthew Monson of Schmigital, New York. Colorist was Tim Masick of Company 3, New York, with Luana Ayres serving as producer. Audio mixers were Tom Greto and Gerard McConville of McCann’s in-house New York audio shop, Post Op. Freelancers Lani Steinhouse and Wendy Carlson, respectively, designed and constructed the camouflage suit.
