The most viewed videos of 2018 posted to the SHOOT Publicity Wire (SPW) span comedy, drama, a sensory trip, and food for thought relative to breaking away from our insular glued to the smartphone and TV screen existence.
The most viewed SPW video of 2018 was furniture retailer Haverty’s “Hashtag” directed by Robb Pritts of Lucky 21 for agencies Unbound and Three Headed Monster. The comedy spot introduces us to an ultra-enthused worker who awkwardly brings social media conventions into her daily verbal vernacular.
Taking second place in the rundown was this :90 for Orangetheory Fitness directed by Justin Corsbie of Synthetic Pictures for agency The Tombras Group. Part of the brand’s first national campaign, “More Orangetheory–More Life” give us a glimpse of diverse fitness club members through vignettes which show the relationship between custom workouts and active lifestyles.
Third in the SPW video view derby was the short “Night Dancing” from long-time collaborators, Union partner/editor Marco Perez and director Barney Cokeless (repped by Dark Energy/London and Steam Films/Toronto). “Night Dancing” stars Jason Thorpe (well-known in the UK for comedy, taking a more dramatic turn here) as a man whose nights are consumed by visions of a street dancer (Louise Tanoto). Unsure whether she–or her partner (Jacob Ingram-Dodd)–are real, our protagonist relates this to his therapist (Alister Cameron), in an attempt to qualify his sanity, or, perhaps, to free his soul. On the strength of “Night Dancing,” Perez won the Best Editing Award at the 5th annual Utah Dance Film Festival, alongside Best Director for Cokeliss, and the Audience Award.
Finishing fourth was this wry “Hey George RR Martin” spot, part of an Upwork campaign which offers freelance help to pop culture figures, business icons, institutions and political leaders. In this case, George RR Martin is offered ghost writing help to put the finishing touches on “Game of Thrones.” The animated digital video was produced by Gentleman Scholar for agency Duncan Channon.
Taking fifth place is this sneak-peek at “The Gateway,” a visually driven series on 420TV, billed as a premium cannabis news, entertainment and lifestyle OTT channel. The show provides an ambient visual/audio backdrop that can enhance a party, chill-out or other activity of the viewer’s choice.
The sixth slot in our SPW tally is an Astral Tequila “Philippe” spot directed by Andrew Laurich of ContagiousLA for agency Erich & Kallman. The tongue-in-cheek piece features pop culture icon Jonathan Goldsmith of “Most Interesting Man” fame.
Taking seventh place is Texas Rangers’ “Baseball Season,” a promo which aired locally during the Super Bowl. Created by TM Advertising in partnership with director Lan Freedman and editor James Rayburn of charlieuniformtango, the comedy spot shows us a bear–and a Rangers’ baseball fan–coming out of winter hibernation, ready for the start of baseball season.
Earning eighth place was a 2018 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival promo, “Mute,” in which people are glued to their smartphones or the TV screen, insulated from human contact–until a man enters an elevator with a woman and breaks the silence to talk about a great movie he saw the previous night. An inspiring film inspires conversation in this charming piece directed by William Hughes Thompson of The Colony for Ogilvy Atlanta.
Finishing ninth was this comedy spot for Las Vegas tourism directed by Roderick Fenske via Bully Pictures for agency R&R Partners. “Time Flies When You’re in Vegas” introduces us to a time traveler who enjoys a wild ride in Sin City but when returning to his era sticks by the mantra that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
And rounding out the SPW video top ten was another Astral Tequila spot featuring Goldsmith, also directed by ContagiousLA’s Laurich for Erich & Kallman. Titled “Best Actor,” Goldsmith is informed that he has won an award for best thespian before his film has even been released. This is clearly an achievement that “calls for tequila.”
Here’s a rundown of the year’s 35 most viewed videos on the SHOOT Publicity Wire for 2018: (click title to view video):
