Steve Rogers of Biscuit Filmworks directed this short for Nike Golf and Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore., which shows the ripple effect that a great golfer can have on the next generation. In this case, we see Tiger Wood’s influence on a lad who’s inspired to make golf his competitive passion. The youngster is Rory McIlroy who we see develop over the years into a world-class golfer, to the point where he is now competing against his idol, Woods, in tournaments.
The film begins with a reenactment of a young McIlroy intensely watching Woods win his first U.S. Amateur Championship on TV in 1994. A few years later, still from his hometown in Northern Ireland, McIlroy witnessed Woods’s electrifying performance of winning his first Masters title by an astounding 12 shots. As the film progresses, we see McIlroy emulating Woods’s work ethic, perfecting his game in the rain, working on his putting stroke on a putting green at his house (filmed at his actual childhood home), with his mother Rosie and father Gerry supporting him all the way.
The two-minute web film culminates with pro golfers Wood and McIlroy competing against each other, walking side by side down the fairway–inspiration for who’s next. A :60 version has been cut for broadcast.
CreditsClient Nike Golf Agency Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Chris Groom, Stuart Brown, creative directors; Brock Kirby, copywriter; Derrick Ho, art director; Jeff Selis, producer; Reid Schilperoot, interactive strategy; Andy Lindblade, Brandon Thornton, strategic planning; Joe Staples, Mark Fitzloff, executive creative directors; Bren Grylewicz, head of production; Rob Mumford, digital designer; Patrick Marzullo, executive interactive producer; Byron Oshiro, content producer. Production Biscuit Filmworks Steve Rogers, director; Holly Vega, exec producer; Vincent Landay, line producer; Nicolas Karakatsanis, DP. Editorial Joint Editorial Peter Wiedensmith, editor; Leslie Carthy, post producer; Patty Brebner, post executive producer. Visual Effects The Mill Tim Davies, VFX supervisor; Will Lemon, VFX producer. Music Ludovico Einaudi, composer; Song: “Nuvole Bianche”
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