The Windy City is competing with Madrid, Spain, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 2016 Olympics thanks in part to director Steve James of non•fic•tion spots, Santa Monica. The Hoop Dreams director helmed a three-minute film for the Chicago 2016 bid committee via Leo Burnett, Chicago, that struck a chord with the United States Olympic Committee, so much so that it chose Chicago over Los Angeles to represent the nation in the international competition to host the 2012 Summer Games.
The film puts a spotlight on 12 young Chicago athletes. ages 12 to 18, who have dreams of competing in the Olympics. The documentary short shows where those dreams take root and where they might lead against the backdrop of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods. Being able to compete in the 2016 Olympics in their hometown would be icing on the cake for these athletes. And Since James currently lives in Chicago, being involved with the film that gained the city’s successful bid has been a thrilling experience. “Not only am I a Chicago person and would love to see the Olympics come here, I am also a bit of a sports junkie. The idea of working on a project like this worked for me on a lot of levels,” James told SHOOT.
Even sports junkies would find the film eye-opening since the athletes highlighted participate in lesser known sports like fencing and rhythm gymnastics. The idea was to feature athletes who didn’t come from hugely popular sports like basketball. While the team from Leo Burnett (Ron Nelkin, EP; Jim Schmidt, copywriter; Tyler Jay, producer) came up with the overall idea, James said he played a role in choosing the athletes to be featured. For instance he had read a newspaper article about Destiny, the 12-year-old boxer who appears in the film. “My motto is don’t let no one work harder than you,” the youngster says in the film.
James commented that he could have done an entire documentary on each athlete individually because they were so interesting and inspiring. “We wanted to go for something authentic and genuine. What could be more genuine than young dedicated athletes? It’s not a big budget piece. It’s simple and straightforward. And it’s not narrated–we let them speak for themselves and young athletes everywhere who pursue a dream like this.”
James said he shot 12 kids in three days. “It was a real challenge. They were long days. But I was real happy with the degree we were able to connect with the kids,” he said.
The ability to create that bond so quickly stems from the working relationship between James, DP Dana Kupper and Rich Pooler, who handles sound. James is currently working with the same team on a year-long Ford Campaign out of JWT/Team Detroit that is comprised of a series of 14 webisodes starring real life drivers of the 2008 Super Duty pickup truck in a variety of working situations across the country. “These are people I have worked with for years in my documentaries. In the work that I do, the people who shoot and record sound for you are key people in the process because we try to create an intimate connection between us and the subject. In the case of the Ford project and the Olympic piece that is something that had to happen very quickly. In the films I do that process evolves sometimes literally over years of filming.”
James pointed out that the feature documentary he is currently working on with director Peter Gilbert is taking a considerably shorter time to complete than his past films. Called At the Death House Door, it is the story of the wrongful execution of Carlos DeLuna and the Death House Chaplain, Pastor Carroll Pickett, who spent the last day of DeLuna’s life with him. The story follows the career journey of Pickett, culminating in the story of DeLuna, a convict whose execution bothered Pickett more than any other. He firmly believed the man was innocent, and the film tracks the investigative efforts of a team of Chicago Tribune reporters who have turned up evidence that strongly suggests he was. The film is a Kartemquin Films Production in association with the Chicago Tribune for The Independent Film Channel. James has been shooting since March of 2006 and hopes to finish filming this year.
“It’s a really interesting story about this wrongful conviction and execution and the effect it had on the family of the man and the impact that the execution and his overall career had on this pastor,” said James.
Brad Emmett and Rob Legato Join Doner As EVPs, Exec Creative Directors
Doner, part of Stagwell, has hired Brad Emmett and Rob Legato as EVPs, executive creative directors. Their remit includes leading and strengthening Doner’s creative work, as well as fostering new client relationships. In their newly created roles, the duo will work across Doner’s full client roster, which includes a diverse portfolio of brands from Zyrtec to Hackensack Meridian Health to Stellantis.
“As an agency founded and headquartered in Detroit, we are committed to investing in top local talent. Welcoming Brad and Rob back to Doner reflects that mission,” said Doner CEO David DeMuth, who also serves as chair and CEO of the Doner Partners Network (DPN).
Emmett and Legato rejoin Doner from McCann Detroit where they led creative efforts for General Motors, including the Will Ferrell “No Way Norway” and Mike Myers “Dr. EVil” Super Bowl campaigns. Emmett and Legato also led creative efforts for brands including Alfa Romeo, JBL and U.S. Bank. Together, their work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Webbys, One Show and the Clio Award Hall of Fame.
“I’ve grown so much from partnering with CEOs, top creative leaders, and, of course, my teams. I look forward to continuing that same spirit of collaboration back at Doner,” said Emmett. “The agency’s diverse portfolio of brands has always impressed me, and I look forward to working with the team to create new work that moves the needle for clients.”
Legato added, “Something exciting is happening around every corner at Doner, and I’ve missed that. I’m thrilled to rejoin the team as it turns the page on a new chapter in its legacy of creating groundbreaking work for brands at the intersection of Modern and Main Street.”
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