Past installments of this column have expressed how gratified we feel when projects recognized in SHOOT–particularly in “The Best Work You May Never See” gallery–go on to gain widespread exposure and acclaim.
But such gratification was taken to another level, going outside our “Best Work” coverage, with a piece we did in the summer of 2003. Titled “Work In Progress,” the story was published in SHOOT in the hope that it would help a worthwhile project become a reality–and now it has.
The project we wrote about was an initiative–consisting of two public service campaigns–designed to raise awareness among young people about the Holocaust. Arnold Worldwide, Boston, and Michael Franzini, then of Public Interest Productions (backed by bicoastal/international @radical.media), were seeking financial support for the project and had put together a pitch book containing storyboards and conceptual strategies.
Their presentation was most impressive and the creative premises compelling. We checked on the progress–or more accurately, the lack thereof–during the ensuing months. But eventually it didn’t seem worth keeping tabs on the initiative anymore in that it appeared to have fallen by the wayside.
However, Franzini was persistent, finally lining up sponsorship and recently directing one of the proposed campaigns on location in Prague with production support from Stillking.
The two spots just debuted on MTV (both on air and online) and are covered in a separate news story in this week’s issue. The campaign is work to be proud of–and Franzini gave SHOOT an extra measure of pride by crediting our initial story with helping to get the project off the ground.
“That coverage legitimized what we were doing,” he said. “It took a long time for us to get the sponsorship we needed but your article meant we didn’t have to start from square one. People read the piece and it made the project seem real to them. It meant a lot as we were pitching for support.”
SHOOT is honored to have had a small hand in bringing this campaign about in that the cause is so important. Franzini and Arnold embarked on the work in light of research findings showing that a large percentage of young Americans don’t even know what the Holocaust was, much less its place in history and its relevance to their lives today.
“We knew this was a vital message that we had to get out so that teenagers would understand the significance of the Holocaust and the lessons we must learn from it,” related Franzini who has formally embarked on a directorial career and is seeking a spot shop roost. “The Arnold team and I were very much inspired creatively by a visit we made in 2003 to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.”
Roger Baldacci, one of the campaign writers, who is an executive VP/creative director at Arnold, said that the campaign’s significance and relevance remain intact despite the long waiting period to get it made. “The creative has stood the test of time,” he assessed. “But more importantly, you could argue that the campaign is even more relevant today given what’s going on in the world.”
“Se7en” Turns 30, Gets A Special Restoration From David Fincher For Its Re-Release
For David Fincher, seeing “Se7en” in 4K was an experience he can only describe as harrowing. That or a high school reunion.
“There are definitely moments that you go, ‘What was I thinking?’ Or ‘Why did I let this person have that hairdo’?” Fincher said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.
He’s OK with the film being a product of its time in most respects. But some things just could not stand in high-definition resolution.
“It was a little decrepit, to be honest,” said Fincher. “We needed to resuscitate it. There are things you can see in 4K HDR that you cannot see on a film print.”
Ever the perfectionist, he and a team got to work on a new restoration of the film for its 30th anniversary re-release. This weekend the restored “Se7en” will play on IMAX screens for the first time in the U.S. and Canada, and on Jan. 7, the 4K UHD home video version will be available as well.
The dark crime thriller written by Andrew Kevin Walker and starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as a pair of detectives looking for a serial killer was somewhat of a career-reviver for Fincher, whose directorial debut “Alien 3” had not gone well. “Se7en” was not a sure thing: It was made for only $34 million (and only got that when Fincher managed to persuade studio execs to give up $3 million more). But it went on to earn more than $327 million, not accounting for inflation, and continues to influence the genre.
Fincher has over the years overseen several restorations of the film (including one for laser disc) but decided this needed to be the last. It’s why he insisted on an 8K scan that they could derive the 4K from. He wanted to ensure that it wouldn’t have to be repeated when screens get more... Read More