Promoting Xbox Game Studios’ Forza Horizon 5, this film titled “The Getaway Driver” from 215 McCann, focuses on a man discovering his very own voice of impulse and embarking on a wild joy ride throughout vibrant Mexico. Our hero (played by Cristo Fernández from Ted Lasso) is a ride-share driver who is used to helping others “get away,” while he himself remains stuck in a monotonous routine. Beholden to the whims of others, he rarely gets a chance to let loose. Until one day a passenger enters the car and lo and behold, it’s himself.
In the style of magical realism, what will unfold is a wild adventure spurred on by his own impulses, manifested in human form. As he tears across Mexico’s diverse terrain, he encounters a mix of highly sought-after vintage and new cars, from a classic 1963 Volkswagen bug to the all-new Ford Bronco. After our hero has fulfilled every whim, his alter-ego magically disappears–but his hunger for adventure lives on.
Throughout concepting, production and post, 215 McCann was committed to representation and authenticity in all its forms. The agency hired Latinx talent in front of and behind the camera, including a Mexican-born director (Tania Verduzco from Los Pérez), Mexican actor Cristo Fernández, and a cameo from Colombian singer, Karol G. Lastly, in addition to diversity on set, 215 McCann and Xbox achieved a carbon-neutral production, ensuring the commercial was both inclusive and sustainable.
CreditsClient Microsoft/Xbox Agency 215 McCann Scott Duchon, chief creative officer; Nichole Geddes, creative director; Ashley Suarez Wood, sr. copywriter; Savannah Hicks, sr. art director; Mandi Holdorf, director of integrated production; Christine Hurty, sr. producer; Brian Wakabayashi, Sam Chotiner, director of strategy; Ryan Riley, strategy director; Christian Stewart, sr. strategist. Production Caviar Los Perez, directors; Michael Sagol, managing director; Kim Dellara, exec producer/partner; Casey Wooden, head of production; Javier Alejandro, producer; Pau Caustejon, DP. Production Services Company The Lift Magali Sagarra, line producer; Bernardo Jasso, 1st AD; Rene Cornu, precision/stunt driver; Paulina Maqueda, casting, Monica Bidault, production designer; Paoula Alfaro, wardrobe designer. Editorial Rock Paper Scissors LA Jamie Foord, editor; Dominic Wendel, assistant editor; Lauren Pullano, producer; Shada Shariatzdeh, exec producer; Dre Krichevsky, head of production; Eve Kornblum, managing director. VFX The Mill James Allen, creative director/VFX supervisor/shoot supervisor/2D lead artist; Ari Davis, exec producer; Bret Aros, producer; Matt Bohner, 3D lead artist; Jerome Knight, Katerina Arroyo, Jake Albers, Abigail Riegel, Mike Miller, Kai Chun Tsai, Kevin Diaz, 2D artists; Michael Lori, Elizabeth Hammer, Jae Jun Yi, Jason Huang, Robert Chapman, Yongho Kim, Ziming Liu, Nicholas Damico, Scott Fritts, 3D artists; Chris “Badger” Knight, John Shirley, finish artists; Bill Lu, Bill Mather, matte painting; Greg Park, Greg Rubner, motion graphics; Sarah Abiharb, production coordinator. Color Alex Gregory, Paul Yacono, colorists; Rory Leighton, Logan Highlen, Gemma Parr, Charles Brown, Billy Dawson, Cristina Giribets, color assist; Denise Brown color producer.. Music Walker, bicoastal Sara Matarazzo, Stephanie Pigott, exec producers; Danielle Soury, sr. producer; Juan Carlos Enriquez, composer. Licensed Track: Mucha Muchacha by Esquivel. Sound Design Brian Emrich. Additional Sound Design Beacon Street Studios, Venice, Calif. Rommel Molina, additional sound design; Lindsey Lerman, producer. Audio Post Beacon Street Studios, Venice, Calif. Rommel Molina, engineer; Lindsey Lerman, producer.
Top Spot of the Week: EHRAC, Animation Studio NOMINT Depict Life “In Limbo” As Families Search For Loved Ones
This animated film titled In Limbo depicts the journey of a heroic woman protagonist representing the countless families in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe (where Chechnya is situated) searching for their forcibly disappeared loved ones. Utilizing theatrical elements, the film highlights the unnatural disruption caused by enforced disappearances and delves into the profound trauma these families endure. It emphasizes their long battles with the domestic authorities as they seek answers. The film also underscores the vital role of community support in helping these families cope and continue their fight for answers, serving as a compelling call to action for justice and human rights.
Through intimate storytelling, In Limbo raises awareness of the ongoing uncertainty that leaves families in a perpetual state of limbo, unable to find closure.
Directed by Afterman--the animation duo consisting of Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North--and created and produced by London-based animation studio NOMINT, In Limbo was commissioned by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC).
In a joint statement, Zdraveva and North shared, “Our film takes place on a theater stage, highlighting how such tragedies are far removed from ordinary life,” they continued. “The stage is circular, resembling an artificial, perpetually spinning obstacle course, with a target—the red tail lights—just within sight yet never within reach, symbolizing the family’s never-ending quest for justice.”
“We used a limited primary color palette to contrast the two worlds all families are pulled between. Minimalist compositions of starkly silhouetted characters and environments create the ominous atmosphere of a deeply painful and... Read More