Directed by Kristian Mercado via production company Easy Mondays for The Martin Agency and client Door Dash, this documentary short titled Soul of the City profiles New York City restaurants Caracas Arepa Bar, Tacoway Beach, Nom Wah Tea Parlor, Sylvia’s, Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, and Palma. The film shares their journey over the past year navigating through the challenges of running a restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was created to celebrate the special roles restaurants play in their neighborhoods, and the reconnection of restaurants with the communities that love them. Through the film, DoorDash, the on-demand delivery company encourages customers to visit their favorite local restaurants in person once again.
“More than a year after NYC’s dining room shutdowns, over 1,000 restaurants have tragically closed for good, with many continuing to struggle even as the city reopens,” said Katie Daire, Senior Director of B2B Marketing at DoorDash. “Restaurants are the lifeblood of their communities, bringing people together around their tables and in their kitchens. The film was created to bring communities closer to the restaurants that have worked tirelessly to serve them over the past year and also remind customers to go dine-in again and visit their local restaurants.”
Credits
Client DoorDash Agency The Martin Agency Danny Robinson, EVP/chief creative officer; Jerry Hoak, EVP/executive creative director/managing director; Tasha Dean, SVP/head of integrated production; Mike Kelley, creative director; Derek Smith, sr. art director; Stacy-Ann Ellis, sr. copywriter; Ann Parker, executive producer; Anthony Moschini, sr. producer; Coleman Sweeney, content producer; Jaclyn Ruelle, SVP, managing director/ cultural impact & brand communications; Matt Kessler, cultural communications, sr. executive; Kenia Najera, cultural impact specialist; Blake Smoral, strategist; Sean Choi, sr. strategist. Production Easy Mondays Kristian Mercado, director; Asori Soto, Chuy Hernandez, exec producers; Justin Gilley, line producer; Matt Chavez, DP; Tom Busa, COVID compliance manager. Editorial Lindsey Nadolski, Nick Pezzillo, editors; Susie Smith, Max Sterling, Chris Wronka, assistant editors. Color Company 3 Stefan Sonnenfeld, colorist; Blake Rice, producer; Ashley McKim, VP, exec producer; Soraia Callison, head of production. Finish Method Studios Heather Keister, Flame artist; Alexandra Lotti, assistant; Kacy Donaldson, VFX producer. Audio Pickle Music Jacinto Gonzalez, audio engineer; Lupita Alvarez, producer. Music Halo Music and Sound Peter Gannon, owner, creative director, music supervisor; Molly Salas, music supervisor
After losing part of his right leg due to cancer, Terry Fox campaigned to raise national awareness and funding for cancer research by running his Marathon of Hope, a cross-Canada 42-km daily run, on his prosthetic leg. Fox, who died in 1981, is a national hero. His image will be on Canada’s new $5 bill.
In this two-minute video titled “Finish It,” the Marathon of Hope is recreated. It’s all done in one take, and it features an actor/marathon runner who uses a prosthesis on the same leg as Fox. CGI was deployed to make him look more like Fox. To further ensure the actor represented Fox accurately, not only did the actor and team watch and study many videos of Terry, but Terry’s brothers, Fred and Darrel, coached the actor on Terry’s running style and mannerisms. They also created a copy of Terry’s prosthesis for the actor to use for the shoot.
The message is clear. As the Marathon of Hope now marks its 45th anniversary, we now have the opportunity to “Finish It” for Fox, raising money and awareness to get a cure for cancer over the finish line, completing the work that Fox started. The public service film starts with Fox on the marathon run, eventually joined by a crowd of other dedicated runners from all walks of life who take over the race.
Mark Zibert directed via production company Scouts Honour for Toronto agency Diamond. The video features a never-before-heard version of the song “Courage” from Canadian band The Tragically Hip.
“We wanted to create a campaign that captures the magnitude of Terry Fox’s legacy while driving meaningful action,” said Peter Ignazi, chief creative officer at Diamond. “By revisiting the Marathon of Hope with such care and reverence, we aimed to reignite Terry’s mission and... Read More
