By Millie Takaki
While arguably one might need therapy if he or she were counting on lottery winnings for financial security, this :60 shows that the Arizona Lottery balls themselves are in need of psychological counseling. Their dilemma is simple yet complex.
After years of great drawings, the lotto balls—people decked out in oversized yellow costumes—acknowledge having some issues that got in the way of their being able to do more for game players.
Admitting a problem is the first step to being cured—at least that’s the conventional wisdom of healthcare professionals. So the lotto balls go into group therapy sessions headed by a psychologist who runs them through various exercises, including meditation and role-playing. Per the latter, a woman who is ball number 35 puts a "1" over that number and acts out like bossy lotto ball number one.
Shot in faux documentary style, the sessions prove to be cathartic, freeing the Arizona Lottery balls to come up with Extra, a new feature for the Pick drawing game—whereby a lotto player can pay an extra buck to get six additional numbers. If any of the Extra numbers match a player’s drawing numbers, he or she can win up to $100 instantly.
"Therapy" was directed by Anibal Suarez via Joe Blow Films, Phoenix, for agency EB Lane, Phoenix. Mick Dalrymple produced for Joe Blow. The DP was Joe Piccirillo.
The EB Lane creative team consisted of executive creative director Michael Pitzer, associate creative director/art director Chad Martin, copywriter Gary Serviss and producer Carolyn Peterson.
Editor was Danielle Marcario of Postal, The Suite, Phoenix. Online editor/visual effects artist was Rob Beadle of Copper Post Digital, Phoenix. Colorist was Rob Sciarratta of Company 3, Santa Monica. Audio mixer was Bob Giammarco via audioEngine|West, Phoenix. Sound designer was Jason Camiolo of audioEngine|West.
Rob Nagle, Margaret Easley, David Pease, D. David Moran and Jeffrey Hobbs were the principal actors in this spot. The SAG/AFTRA Commercials Contract Standing Committee has granted a waiver to allow commercials to be available for viewing on SHOOTonline.com. The spots cannot be copied, downloaded or e-mailed.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More