“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.” That classic line from the Paddy Chayefsky-scripted Network is pretty much the tongue-in-cheek spirit of this offbeat Wendy’s spot which finds us in the middle of a forest with people kicking trees repeatedly in synchronized fashion. This robotic-like behavior represents mindless conformity, which is begging to be broken.
The agent for change turns out to be guy wearing a red haired, ponytailed wig–perhaps the Little Red Riding Hood rebel of the forest. He exclaims that he is tired of frozen burgers, that he deserves a hot, juicy burger. He begins to chant, “We all deserve a hot, juicy burger!”
Momentum builds and the tree kickers around him begin to chant along with him and abandon their nonsensical routine to to out in the world and find their fortune–a hot, juicy Wendy’s burger.
Baker Smith of Santa Monica-based harvest directed “Kicking Trees” for Saatchi & Saatchi, New York.
The Saatchi ensemble consisted of executive creative director Jan Jacobs and Leo Premutico, executive producer Colin Pearsall and producer John Doris.
Bonnie Goldfarb executive produced for harvest, with Shelby Ross serving as producer. The DP was Bill Pope.
Editor was Rick Lawley of The Whitehouse, New York.
Visual effects supervisor was Lesley Robson-Foster of The Mill, New York.
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