Hornet director Peter Sluszka shows drivers what happens on the other side of the windshield in this charmingly offbeat public service message “Stop The Roadkill” out of Grey New York. Collaborating with The Humane Society and client Bosch Icon windshield wiper blades, Hornet and Grey teamed on this humorous animated puppetry film that advocates safe, conscientious driving via a band of cautionary, zombie animals.
“From the outset, the concept of dancing, singing, road kill zombies was inspiring and deserved an approach that would best bring them to life,” said Sluszka. “In addition to getting the acting just right, it seemed critical that we shoot on location in a natural environment to give the zombies’ plight urgency. Even though our characters were somewhat stylized, their textures and presence felt more authentic on a roadway in the woods than it ever would have on a fabricated set.”
Six puppeteers were recruited to bring five built-to-scale puppets (back) to life through stylized movement and choreographed dance. The puppet characters include a singing deer and a rapping skunk who share their personal stories in a plea for driver safety on the roads. The chorus repeats the central theme, “Don’t be a killer car, let’s see what’s ahead.”
Every week, millions of wildlife are struck down by vehicles in the U.S. In fact, more wildlife are killed by motorists than by any other cause. One of the key contributors to this trend is poor visibility on the roads, especially during rainy conditions. Regular wiper blade changes – at least once every 12 months – can help make a difference. The new Bosch PSA takes on this serious issue with a humorous approach using an animated format.
