The eloquence and elegance of jazz music stands out in the absence of spoken words and in the presence of scenes showing the devastation in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. Imagery of musicians playing their instruments–including a trumpet, saxophone, bass and clarinet—amidst hard hit areas and juxtaposed with glimpses of the destruction drive home the point that a new hurricane season is in the offing and we need to be prepared.
Indeed tragedy can strike at any time and in many places. Supered messages relate, “Experts predict another bad hurricane season. And they say devastating flooding could happen to your home. If you haven’t listened to them, listen to us. Floods can happen anywhere.”
The sponsor’s identity is then revealed to us–the National Flood Insurance Program–accompanied by a toll free phone number and a Web site address (FloodSmart.gov/listen).
Titled “No Words,” the spot was directed by James Gartner of Santa Monica-based GARTNER for JWT, Atlanta. Rich Carter and Don Block executive produced for GARTNER, with Roger Petrusson serving as producer. The DP was Tom Olgeirsson who shot on location in New Orleans.
The JWT ensemble consisted of creative director Carl Warner, art director Isolbel Moutrey, copywriter Denise Rosenstein and producer Sarah Zehnie.
Editor was Michael Saia of Jump, New York. Dee Tagert was Jump’s exec producer. William Zitser was assistant editor. Bradley Warren of Manic, New York, was the music editor for the live performances.
AICP’s Matt Miller Looks To Build Support For Production In L.A. After Devastating Wildfires
Editor’s note: AICP president and CEO Matt Miller issued the following statement addressing the wildfires in Los Angeles and how the industry can help this key production market--a hub of major resources essential to the health of the overall commercialmaking industry:
Who Needs Los Angeles? We Do.
By Matt Miller, AICP president and CEO
One doesn’t have to be a statistician to know that there are fewer commercials being shot in the U.S. today for the American market than ever before, and a dramatic decrease in L.A. in particular. In the last five years, as reported by FilmLA (the office tasked with issuing permits), L.A. commercial production has dipped 31 percent.
But here’s the thing: This doesn’t mean that L.A. has lost its importance as the production center of the world. Production in L.A. is vital. It is the go-to. It’s where you can count on access to exemplary crews, a support infrastructure second to none, varied location and backlot options, a large population of on-screen talent and (fairly) predictable weather.
The fact is, with overall decline and now the devastation of the fires, we’re on the brink of losing this mainstay resource. Without employment opportunities and now many without homes, talented and trained crew are bound to leave either the industry or the L.A. area for other opportunities, unless there are enough job opportunities to sustain a solid living.
Now is the time when we ALL must support and bolster this community.
Production is needed in L.A., now!
Of course, advertising is a business, and marketers’ money should be spent as efficiently as possible, BUT we have to think beyond each production and know that if we lose the... Read More