Double Platinum-selling Canadian band, Walk Off The Earth, who are also known for the 150 million views they garnered on YouTube for their “5 Peeps 1 Guitar” cover of the Gotye song, “Somebody That I Used To Know,” collaborated with Volkswagen Canada to release a new, interactive music video for their latest single, “Gang of Rhythm.” only instead of all sharing a single guitar, this time they play a Volkswagen Beetle.
The video, which can be viewed on YouTube and VW.ca features three different versions of the song, in three different locations, with three different models of The Beetle. Buttons in the video let viewers seamlessly jump between locations and songs, making it a three-in-one interactive experience. Each song version has its own distinct feel, inspired by a different Beetle model. One is a more soulful, acoustic rendition to go with The Super Beetle; another is an instrumental version, featuring soaring, electric guitars, matching The Beetle GSR; and a third pairs musical instruments with real car sounds, recorded and looped from The Beetle Convertible.
Filmed over the course of two days in Toronto and Cobourg, Ontario, the three videos place the band in a salt shed, a tunnel, and on a pier. In the version of the video shot on the pier, the band again demonstrates their creative musicianship by playing various parts of the Beetle like musical instruments. All three videos were directed by renowned music video director Wendy Morgan of Untitled Films, Toronto. Agency is Red Urban, Toronto.
Walk Off The Earth first approached Volkswagen Canada and their advertising agency, Red Urban, about the potential of a partnership.
“Volkswagen got a call from the band one day,” said Christina Yu, executive creative director of Red Urban Canada, the creative agency for Volkswagen. “Apparently they are big Volkswagen fans and wanted to collaborate. Volkswagen has a legacy of smart approaches to advertising, and is also very well-known for their use of music. We thought it was a great idea, so immediately started developing the ideas for the video.”
“We always wanted to use the sounds from a car to create a song,” said Gianni Luminati, principal songwriter for the band. “We’re always looking for interesting ways to make music – and music videos – so this was a perfect opportunity for us.”
Walk Off The Earth features multi-instrumentalists Gianni Luminati, Marshall, and Sarah Blackwood on vocals, Taylor on keyboards, and Joel Cassady on drums. Their new album of original songs, R.E.V.O., was released earlier this year on Columbia Records and is certified Gold and debut single “Red Hands” has been certified double platinum.
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More