Fittingly for the current Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention released this hero film (with an edited down :60 and a :30 PSA) which introduces us to a man who is clearly depressed. His loved one see the telltale signs as he becomes more and more enshrouded in darkness.
But this piece casts some light on him and offers a measure of hope–the light being triggered by a daughter who talks to him, draws him out as he starts to discuss his feelings, problems and thoughts.
Aptly titled “Talk Away The Dark,” this piece was directed by Vincent Rene Lortie of The Corner Shop for agency TBWAChiatDay New York.
Credits
Client American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Stephanie Rogers, EVP & chief communications officer; Doreen Marshall, VP of mission engagement; Brett Wean, director, writing and entertainment outreach; Jonathan Dozier-Ezell, director of digital communications; Vera Lukacs, social media director; Maria de los Angeles Corral, media relations. Agency TBWAChiatDay NY Amy Ferguson, chief creative officer; James Sowden, chief strategy officer; John Doris, head of production; Walter Connelly, executive creative director; Royston Ang, sr. art director; Patrick Burke, sr. copywriter; Victoria Lin, art director; Nico Fish, copywriter; Tara Keith, associate integrated producer; Jennifer Kung, strategy director. Production The Corner Shop Vincent Rene Lortie, director; Anna Hashmi, founder & exec producer; Katie Taylor, exec producer; Samuel Caron, line producer; Olivier Gossot, DP; Catherine Pelletier, production designer. Production Services Company Telescope Films Editorial Work Editorial Martin Leroy, editor; Remy Foxx, exec producer, L.A.; Gabrielle Page, head of production, L.A.; Victor Medina, producer; Joseph Tuzzolino, assistant editor. VFX Framestore Martin Lazaro, creative director; Zimei Song, lead Flame compositor; Noah Catan, compositor; Sue McNamara, sr. producer. Music Squeak E. Clean Studios Jesse Watt, composer; Jennie Armon, executive creative producer; Rob Barbato, executive creative director; Tarjas White, sr. producer; Emma Dufault, studio & production assistant. Sound Wave Harry Butcher, sound designer/mixer; Beth Tomblin, exec producer, London; Aaron Reynolds, supervising sound designer; Vicky Ferraro, exec producer, NY. Color Company 3 Sofie Friis Borup, colorist; Shannen Troup, color producer.
When dozens of Klick Health team members said they wouldn’t be able to hug loved ones over the festive season, the agency turned to AI and other magic to orchestrate a series of sentimental, surprise reunions captured in its “Holiday Hugs” video. The heartwarming four-minute video, benefitting the D.C.-based Foundation for Social Connection (F4SC), parallels recent findings from a Maru/Blue Public Opinion survey commissioned by Klick.
The poll found 74 percent of Americans and Canadians won’t be able to hug at least one person they wish they could over the holidays. And like those in the video, survey participants cited geographical distance and loved ones having passed away as the leading factors preventing their hugs.
“I just wish I could really squeeze her right now,” says teary-eyed New York Klickster Kari Bocassi watching her AI-generated hug with her sister Marlene, moments before she bursts onto the set for a long in-person embrace. The siblings have spent the past 14 years caring for their mother since her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but haven’t been together for the holidays since Marlene moved to Virginia. Similarly, Toronto’s Fred Duarte gets the bear hug of his life when his brother Rico, who lives in Brazil, walks into Klick’s production studio for their first holiday reunion in seven years.
Directed by James Cooper via Cooper Films, “Holiday Hugs” also taps into the fact that hugs don’t just make people feel better emotionally, they also have numerous health benefits. According to the National Institutes of Health, hugs can lower blood pressure and boost the immune system.
“There’s nothing quite like the warmth and reassurance of a heartfelt hug,” said Klick’s chief creative officer Rich Levy. “With ‘Holiday... Read More
