Giving new meaning to the term singles play, “The Tennis Date,” a deliciously seductive short film directed by Eva Michon of Merman, introduces sellaV, a new line of high-end tennis skirts created by designer and artist Kaylie Schiff. The film’s frisky storyline follows the exploits of a tennis player, played by actress Charlet Duboc, who searches for love through tennis matches. Volley after volley she tests the mettle and poise of a series of opponents with probing topspins and backhanders. The heroine narrates her hunt with a wry, sometimes cold-blooded voiceover providing stinging commentary on her would-be suitors. In the age of dating apps, “The Tennis Date” offers a romantic alternative, as the heroine glibly observes, “that dance on the court, it’s sexy, also brutal, tender, sweet.”
“The Tennis Date” was conceived and written by Schiff in collaboration with Michon, who captures the action in lyrical slow-mo set to the voluptuous score of the 1882 composition “Les Paniteurs (The Skater’s Waltz)” by Emile Waldteufel. The film promotes and features sellaV’s line of tailored skirts, which are designed to be worn both on and off the court. Schiff developed the sellaV line of tennis apparel in tribute to her mother, who taught her how to play the game, in more ways than one.
“This is not a typical commercial,” said Michon. “It is meant to get people excited about this new brand, deliver a sense of the character of the brand, but also not give everything away. There is mystery, playfulness, and of course, sex appeal.”
“The story is based on real-life,” admitted Schiff. “I love tennis. I was raised on it, and I actually did go on tennis dates for a period, because I couldn’t relate to the modern dating scene. So that was the inspiration. Also, truth be told, the film is a teaser for a TV series project I’ve been developing based on the same idea. So stay tuned.”
“The Tennis Date” premiered on sellaVclub’s website.
CreditsClient sellaV Kaylie Schiff, writer. Production Company Merman Eva Michon, director; Kevin Phillips, DP; Turner, wardrobe stylist; Ksenia Reshetnikova, hair & makeup; Charles Bergquist, Phantom tech. Editorial Common Good Mikka Quinsac, editor. Sound Design Martin Dekehyan, sound designer. Title Design Colin Bergh, title design. Color Grade Artjail Clint Homouth, colorist. Music “Les Paniteurs” Op. 183 By Emile Waldteufel, 1882. Cast Charlet Duboc, Mickey Schiff, Brad Oberhofer, Ethan Dawes, Anders Wahlquist; Matthew Frost, Free Winfrey, Arnaud Uyttenhove, Jonny Mandabach, Theo Martins, Nick Thorburn, Danny Gabai, Jeff Magid, Willo Perron, Olivier Babin, Gordon Winarick, Mcabe Gregg, Eyal Booker.
NHS England, M&C Saatchi UK, Director Tom Tagholm Team On PSA Highlighting The Overlooked Signs Of A Stroke
National Health Service (NHS) England has unveiled a multichannel campaign, “Act FAST,” to raise awareness of the individual signs of a stroke and get people to call 999 as soon as they suspect they may be experiencing any one symptom. The push, which is part of the ongoing “Help Us, Help You” campaign, was developed in partnership with M&C Saatchi UK.
The campaign depicts everyday situations where everything might seem relatively normal, but where there’s the sign of someone experiencing a stroke.
A key component of the campaign is this :30--directed by Tom Tagholm of Various Films--which sets up the idea that initially, a stroke might not seem like much, highlighting key symptoms: from struggling to use a paint roller, to not being able to smile when watching TV, to slurring your speech when reading a story to your grandchild. The PSA emphasizes that time is critical, ending with the line: “Face or arm or speech, at the first sign, it’s time to call 999.”
Jo Bacon, Group CEO, M&C Saatchi UK, said, “We want to ensure people take action on the first symptom, rather than waiting for more conclusive signs. To help them understand that even when everything seems normal, something serious might be happening.”
Matt Lee, executive creative director, M&C Saatchi UK, commented: “This is important work. We wanted to explore that precise moment when your world shifts, quietly yet powerfully, off its axis during a stroke. We highlight how a tiny external moment can actually be seismic—an extraordinary gear change, framed in a really ordinary way.”
Director Tagholm shared, “My Dad suffered a stroke a few years ago and was saved from the worst by acting quickly, and by the work of the NHS. So there’s... Read More