Imagine that you’ve coaxed iconic rocker Alice Cooper to appear in a short video promoting the final entry deadline into your advertising awards competition for music and sound, only to learn that he has no idea what it is. On top of that, Cooper is a bit confused as to why he has been asked to do something for an event he’s never heard of in the first place. Cooper at one point is bewildered that an awards show for advertising somehow needs advertising. His manager will hear about this.
So will the advertising community when they get a look-see at this comedy video released by the Association of Music Producers, sponsors of the AMP Awards for Music & Sound, and created by agency Johannes Leonardo. Attic22, the in-house production studio of Johannes Leonardo, produced the work.
In a separate video, rocker John Oates also reluctantly promotes the AMP Awards for Music & Sound.
“The idea of having immediately identifiable rock stars helping promote an awards show they’re totally unfamiliar with gave us an opportunity for a little ironic humor,” said Mitchell Wojcik, director and photographer of Attic22, who filmed both stars.
The videos remind the industry at large that the extended deadline for the AMP Awards is coming up on Monday, March 18. Full entry information and details can be found here.
“As advertising’s only award show dedicated to music and sound our goal is simple–shine the biggest possible spotlight on all the talented professionals whose work too often doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” explained Leo Premutico, co-founder and creative chairman of Johannes Leonardo and this year’s AMP Awards Show chairperson. “We’re extremely grateful to John and Alice for throwing their weight behind this mission.”
CreditsClient The AMP Awards for Music & Sound Agency Johannes Leonardo Production Attic22 Mitchell Wojcik, director, photographer
Filmmaker Natalie Johns Creates Spec Gun Violence Prevention PSA
Her social media feed is filled with frustration and “prayers” for families torn apart by yet another mass shooting as filmmaker Natalie Johns is engaged in the morning ritual of negotiating school attendance with her 4½-year-old. Between laughing and arguing with their daughter, the Johns think deeply about the prospect of waking up without her--deeply enough to feel an inch of what it might be like to lose her--a feeling profound enough inspire her most personal commitment to date as a filmmaker.
“Gun violence should not be a normalized part of life in America,” she noted. “I felt it was worth putting my whole heart on the line to deliver this message.”
The director invited her long-time collaborator and cinematographer, Bill Kirstein (Mean Girls, Happyend), to capture their family’s experience over several mornings in a spec PSA. She wanted to capture her own joy and truth as a parent with a view to inspiring action from the deepest love she has known.
On the third day of filming, Johns received an email from their daughter’s preschool notifying parents of a lockdown that had occurred due to a gunman outside the school. The children, aged 2-5, were gathered in a small bathroom for an hour, singing songs with their teachers while the man was apprehended by law enforcement. This was the family’s first narrow escape from tragedy.
“The coincidence of filming this PSA and experiencing my family’s first lockdown was both shocking and surreal. I simply could not wrap my head around it,” said director Johns.
Even more terrifying for Johns was discussing the incident with other parents who had already experienced several lockdowns with their older children. This reality is all too common and far too... Read More