Remember that episode of MadTV where “Upload” humps “Total Recall” while “Eternal Sunshine” plays on the kitchen TV? These longtime friends and colleagues came up with a short film that’s kinda like that.
Famed futurist Ray Kurzweil once made a prediction that humans will soon be able to upload their consciousness to computers and achieve digital immortality. Written/Directed by Doug Cox & Rich North, DENUEVO follows the story of one family, that when facing the loss of their patriarch, are presented with an option that was just too good to say no.
Credits
DENUEVO
Running Time: 16:18
CREW:
Directed by: Doug Cox & Rich North
Written by: Doug Cox & Rich North
Produced by: Gillian Mahar & Scott Wickman
Executive Producers: Elisabeth Diana, Rich North, Doug Cox, David Verhoef
First AD: Morgan Lester
Director Of Photography: Nick Mahar
First Assistant Camera: Martin Bustamante
2nd Assistant Camera: Riley Gantt
Camera Op: Tobias Harbo
Production Designer: Laura Lahti
Hair & Makeup: Devin Bianchi & Emily Jones
Hair & Makeup Assistant: Anna Mongeluzo
Costume Design: Amanda Ramirez & Jaime Nikoletich
Set Costumer: Shelby Wilcox
Gaffer: Evan Weidenkeller
2nd Unit Gaffer: Joe Seiler
Key Grip: Madison Lutz & Nathan Podshadley
Sound: Jon Boo
Sound Assistant: Rylee Blechman
Sound Design & Mix: Jet Valerio
Script Supervisors: Cooper Cox & Tanja Kassin
Editors: Doug Cox & Stu Barnes
Assistant Editor: Cooper Cox
Visual Effects: Mark Everson
Colorist: Jenny Montgomery
CAST:
Colonel John Wiggens: Harold Hines, Kendra: Tyler Price, Vicky: Ladonna Craelius, Lewis: Chuka Udeh, Moon: Baily Hopkins, Steve: Eli Leonard, Girl On the Go: Joanna Kay, Therapist: David Verhoef, Grandma: Pat McNeely, Railroad Rick: Doug Cox, Tablets Guy: Beto Ochoa
Commercial production company Explore and director Jeremy Pinckert went to a familiar well to pull inspiration for their latest production for Go RVing. "Hotel Hassle" was initially conceived as an audio-only campaign, but Go RVing's SVP/CMO Karen Redfern asked Explore to adapt the script into a new, live-action commercial. The adaptation from audio ads to digital commercial spots involved adding re-written lines and a few iconic scenes from Pinckert’s ideas that provided anchor moments for the ads. In particular, 'Hotel Hassle' features a room key that just won’t open the door. The visual he added (a round sensor on the door where the key unlocks) not only modernized the ad into the age of tap, but also gave the spot a technology vs. human undertone, invoking the AI-character Hal from Stanley Kubrick’s '2001 A Space Odyssey.'
Explore and Pinckert also added a visual hook to the ending of the spot that leaned on his own experiences traveling with his family. He found his hands were always full, clutching a few bags, random loose objects, his phone, and of course, his coffee. In the commercial, there is a moment where all of the frustrations are just too much for the protagonist and he almost curses in front of the family. What if the director added an action where the protagonist accidentally spills their coffee and the camera freezes precisely at this moment?
"Hotel Hassle", part of Go RVing's larger Don't Go There! campaign, is currently being broadcast nationwide via strategic digital channels.
