We’re at what looks like the last gas station in the middle of nowhere. A beat-up clunker of an automobile pulls in for some much-needed maintenance. This old boat of a car not only needs a fill-up but also a wash—but the driver will settle for a clean windshield.
The windshield is caked with dead insects, muck and mire. Grabbing a cloth, the slovenly dressed driver begins wiping the glass but to no avail. Rather than remove the mess, the cloth just moves it around. Streaks of reddened bug carcasses make the windshield impossible to see through.
But the driver seems intrigued by his glass "canvas." The cloth has become a paintbrush as he creates his pop art "masterpiece." Well, one man’s eyesore is another man’s art.
That scene gives way to a black background against which a super appears containing an advisory that classes begin on Sept. 10 at Pasadena Art Center.
The spot then returns to the man, who is now at an art gallery, standing proudly in front of his windshield which is hanging on display. Looking dapper and holding a glass of wine, he is being stared at by a female admirer. In this case art doesn’t imitate life—it improves it.
This spec piece promoting the Pasadena Art Center was conceived and directed by Eric E. Fitzpatrick, who made "The Best Work You May Never See" gallery last year with "Shaving Cream," a spec piece for Guinness ale (SHOOT, 10/6/00, p. 12). That initial spec ad helped him land on the roster of Cohn+Company (SHOOT, 4/6, p. 7), a bicoastal shop which he has since left. Fitzpatrick reasoned that "Masterpiece" would further show his directorial prowess as he seeks a new roost.
Danny Toback served as DP on "Masterpiece." Line producer was Robert Krass, with production design by Jordan Paul.
Susan Munro and Chris Homel of Red Car Santa Monica served as offline and online editor, respectively. Colorist was Chris Killian of 525 Studios, Santa Monica. Audio mixer was Ted Lobinger of Latte Mix, Santa Monica.
