With a career spanning 45 years and more than 1,000 commercials for the likes of Ford, AT&T, TD Ameritrade, Fiat and Kellogg’s, among many others, director Bruce Van Dusen reflects on commercialmaking in his recently released book, “60 Stories About 30 Seconds: How I Got Away with Becoming a Pretty Big Commercial Director without Losing My Soul (Or Maybe Just Part of It).”
In the early 1970s, armed with a film school degree from Boston University and a total of $175 in his pocket, Van Dusen headed to New York City to make documentary films. Having no industry contacts and little resources, he was desperate for a job. With a mix of audacity, determination and hard work, he found himself directing commercials and running his own company at the age of 23. He discovered he had a knack for crafting emotional stories, anchored by great performances, that could be told in 30 seconds. Along the way, he came in contact with a remarkable cast of characters–A list movie stars (Geena Davis, Clint Eastwood, Martin Short, Charles Bronson, Billy Dee Williams, Vanessa Williams), star athletes (Andre Agassi, Mia Hamm, Michael Schumacher, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), as well as politicians, Lotto winners, child actors, trained animals, and men who wear toupees only on Tuesday and Thursday and go bald the rest of the week.
"60 Stories About 30 Seconds" is a success story of an unusual entrepreneur, an eye-opening guide for aspiring filmmakers, and a depiction of a slice of life that’s both unexpected and entertaining. Publisher is Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster.
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More