A man is being dragged stomach down along a sidewalk. As he’s being whisked across the front of what looks like a school playground, we see that he is holding a leash but we cannot see the other end and whom or what is attached to it.
Next he’s being dragged down some cement stairs and then down an alley, causing him to collide into a trash can. Seemingly holding onto the leash for dear life, the man is dragged down an incline into the path of a park jogger. He upends the jogger and continues to be propelled across the park. Next we see him being dragged into and through a wooden fence and then past a bus kiosk, shattering the glass.
Finally the wild ride stops in a grassy park area, at which point his trusty dog–who’s been pulling the leash–comes into view and licks his master repeatedly on the face. This show of affection is followed by a continuation of the dog pulling man through another obstacle course which is left to our imagination.
An end tag contains a product shot of different pet food bags and containers, as a voiceover explains that “increased energy” is one of the benefits associated with all the natural pet food sold at Petco, “where the pets go.”
“What A Drag” was directed by Paul Goldman of bicoastal/international Partizan for M&C Saatchi, Santa Monica. The DP was Glynn Speckhardt.
The M&C team consisted of creative director Martin Dix, art director Jay Gundzik, copywriter Craig Ghiglione and producer Wendi Weger.
Editor was Adam Parker of Chrome, Santa Monica. Visual effects house was Ring of Fire, Santa Monica.
Music composer was Brian Chapman of Beacon Street Studios, Venice, Calif. Sound designer/audio mixer was Sam Casas of Lime Studios, Santa Monica.
Visual Effects Society Elects 2025 Board of Directors’ Executive Committee
The lineup of officers is set for the Visual Effects Society’s (VES) 2025 Board of Directors. The officers, who comprise the VES Board Executive Committee, were elected at the January 2025 Board meeting. The Officers include Kim Davidson, who was re-elected Board chair, and is the first Board member from outside the United States to hold this role since the Society’s inception.
“It is my privilege to serve as chair of our worldwide community of visual effects artists and innovators,” said Davidson. “Since I joined the Society 18 years ago, I have seen the VES grow from a California-based organization to a global society with 16 regional Sections and members in more than 50 countries. As the first chair elected from outside the U.S., I am representative of our thriving globalization, and I look forward to further championing our expansion worldwide. The leadership on our Board brings enormous commitment, expertise and enthusiasm to their volunteer service and I’m excited about what we can achieve, together.”
“Our Society is fortunate to have strong leadership represented on our Executive Committee,” said Nancy Ward, VES executive director. “I am honored to work alongside these exceptional, dedicated professionals, especially amidst this time of dynamic change. We appreciate their commitment to further advance the Society’s global initiatives and impact.”
The 2025 officers of the VES Board of Directors are:
--Chair: Kim Davidson
--1st Vice Chair: Susan O’Neal
--2nd Vice Chair: David Tanaka, VES
--Secretary: Rita Cahill
--Treasurer: Jeffrey A. Okun, VES
Kim Davidson, Chair
Davidson is the president and CEO of SideFX®, a company he co-founded in 1987. SideFX is... Read More