Some 11 years ago, what was arguably director David Lynch’s most linear movie, The Straight Story, was released. The film centered on senior citizen Alvin Straight who needed to see his seriously ill brother in Wisconsin but lacked the appropriate transportation. So the resourceful Straight drove his slow moving lawn mower to Mt. Zion, Wis., to reconcile with his sibling.
Richard Farnsworth played Straight and earned a Best Actor Academy Award nomination for his portrayal.
Fast forward to today and an initiative reminiscent of The Straight Story has emerged, though with many key differences as Young & Rubicam, Chicago, has launched the ultimate product test: “Craftsman Across America” in which a young man from South Bend, Indiana–Lucas Van Engen–has embarked on a three-month cross-country journey from California to New York at a top speed of seven miles per hour aboard a Craftsman riding lawnmower.
Through a daily blog–which you can access here–followers can ride shotgun with driver Van Engen and meet the people he encounters, the sights he sees, town by town and mile by mile.
At press time, his summer sojourn had already reached Oklahoma.
Nika Offenbac of Humble is director/editor on the job, with Phillip Detchmendy exec producing for Humble.
The Y&R team consists of chief creative officer Ken Erke, art directors Ryan Boblett and Richard Fischer, copywriter Evan Thompson, copywriter/composer Brad Harvey, executive agency producer Brian Smego and producer Luke Rzewnicki.
Engineer is David Axelbaum of Airstream Audio.
Here’s an introductory video:
Directors Amy+Pilar and Jose Antonio Prat Join Reform School
Boutique content production company Reform has added comedy directing duo Amy+Pilar (Amy York Rubin and Pilar Boehm) and award-winning multicultural director Jose Antonio Prat to its roster for U.S. representation spanning commercials and branded entertainment.
Partners in both life and art, Amy+Pilar are know for their sharp wit and comedic timing. Their synchronicity is evident in a body of work across TV, film and commercials. Prior to joining Reform School, Amy+Pilar had been repped in the ad market by production company Knucklehead.
Amy has directed high-profile comedy sketches featuring stars like Amy Schumer, Kate McKinnon, and Sarah Silverman. On the episodic front, Amy has helmed for series such as Fresh Off the Boat, Casual, Superstore and Angie Tribeca--as well as the pilot for the hit Netflix comedy Dead to Me.
Before joining forces with Amy behind the camera, Pilar was a psychotherapist, a background that informs her ability to create fascinating characters and stage irresistible, nuanced performances. Amy and Pilar’s shared passion for comedy brought them together. Their collaboration began with a Synchrony Bank campaign, starring cult-comedy favorite Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics), and they went on to direct the pilot of the Hulu series Love, Victor. Amy+Pilar’s ad fare also includes spots for Uber’s “Go-Get” campaign and “Shift,” starring Martin Starr.
“We have been fans of Amy and Pilar for a long time,” said Ryan Ennis, executive director at Reform School. “They excel at capturing comedic performances and dialogue. Coming from the TV and L.A. comedy scenes, they’ve built a strong following and collaborated with some of our favorite funny people.... Read More