Vincent Haycock of Park Pictures directed this video for U2’s emotional new single “Song for Someone.” The music clip stars Woody Harrelson as an inmate set free after a lengthy prison sentence.
Harrelson is not a hardened convict but one whose vulnerability is evident as he faces the change that freedom presents, including reuniting with his daughter whom he hadn’t seen since she was a tot. Portraying her is Harrelson’s real-life daughter, Zoe Harrelson.
The video was shot on location in California in two days by DP Steve Annis, with director Haycock also serving as editor. Some of the extras Haycock cast for the prison setting are former prison guards.
Credits
Artist/Client U2 Production Park Pictures Vincent Haycock, director/editor; Jackie Kelman Bisbee, Mary Ann Marino, Paul McKee, Pete Vitale, executive producers; Pete Vitale, line producer; Alex Fisch, supervising producer; Jesse Peters, associate producer (for Maverick); Steve Annis, DP; Jay Hougaard, production designer Nic Kelley, art director. Postproduction Ntropic Arnold Ramm, colorist; Jordan Freedman, producer. Audio Lime Studios Tom Paolantonio, sound designer; Scott Cedilla, sound mastering. Casting Richard Mento, casting director.
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
