Dirty dishes, neglected yard work, unpaid bills. A man and a woman sitting on the couch, mesmerized by whatever they’re watching on TV as an unseen baby cries in the background.
A voiceover explains, “Each year, millions of HBO subscribers allow their favorite shows to prevent them from leading responsible and healthy lives.”
The camera then takes us on a succession of case studies to prove that assertion. The first is Mr. and Mrs. Johnson who refuse to answer their phone while watching HBO. We hear the caller on the answering machine. “Mom, dad–come on pick up. I know you’re there. Pick up.”
We then see who the caller is–a teenager–and where he’s calling from, a police station/jailhouse pay phone. A voiceover says of the police, “I’m sure they’ll let Tommy make another phone call tomorrow.”
Next we’re taken to another HBO household, where Jennifer and her friends are watching TV. Jennifer likes it quiet while her favorite show is on. A male guest makes the mistake of coughing during the show, prompting Jennifer to explode. “Get the hell out of my house, Bill.” A voiceover notes, “These days most of her friends seem to prefer watching from home.”
Then there’s wheelchair-bound Mrs. Bernstein who’s caught in an escalator track trying to get to the upstairs of her house. She calls out for help. Unfortunately her son in the next room is oblivious, his eyes transfixed on an HBO show.
Next, we see Michael driving a car, with the passenger being his wife Alice. They’re returning home from a relaxing dinner. Maybe not so relaxing as Michael is driving recklessly through traffic, nearly causing an accident. Alice understandably appears nervous. Just when you think she’s going to admonish her husband, she instead blurts out, “Hurry up, we’re going to miss it.” Clearly the “it” is an HBO program.
And finally, we see a slice of Americana–a father pushing a bicycle on which his young daughter is seated. “Don’t let me go,” urges the helmet-wearing girl. However, they pass a house in which an HBO show is being watched. The dad stops in his tracks to peer through the window as his terrified daughter is left solo on the bike, pedaling down the sidewalk.
A concluding voiceover relates, “At the end of a long day, who doesn’t like to kick back with some HBO and take the edge off a little. It’s only when it begins to affect the rest of your life that it becomes a problem.”
A supered end tag reads, “HBO. Please watch responsibly.”
Michael Downing of harvest, Santa Monica, directed this one-minute-and-39-second promo for HBO’s in-house agency. The HBO creative ensemble consisted of creative director Karen Sands, VP of brand image Marc Rosenberg, senior line producer Louis Tancredi, and writer/producer Daniel Zibulsky.
Bonnie Goldfarb and Scott Howard executive produced for harvest, with Francie Moore serving as producer. The DP was John Schwartzman. Editor was Jim Hutchins of HutchCo, Los Angeles.
The End of The “Rust” Criminal Case Against Alec Baldwin May Unlock A Civil Lawsuit
The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, attorneys for plaintiffs in the civil suit said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Los Angeles, victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won't appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge against Baldwin was dismissed halfway through trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.
Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie "Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
Allred said Hutchins' relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and "Rust" producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins' widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement.
"With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case," Allred said. "Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated."
Allred said she's ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship... Read More