Martin de Thurah of Epoch Films directed this two-spot package for StubHub, including “Machines” in which the hero tells the story of the rise of artificial intelligence and its inevitable turn on humanity. As the machines take over the world, our lead human character realizes that he never saw his favorite singer live in concert.
It’s a profound regret that makes an offbeat case for getting out and experiencing life, making sure to pick up those tickets at StubHub to attend worthwhile, memorable events.
Beyond the visuals and twisted comedy from de Thurah, “Machines” also features original music from Oscar-nominated composer Johan Johannson (Arrival, Theory of Everything, Sicario).
Credits
Client StubHub Agency Goodby Silverstein & Partners Jeff Goodby, Rich Silverstein, co-chairmen; Margaret Johnson, executive creative director; Danny Gonzalez, David Suarez, creative directors; Simon Bruyn, Andrew Livingston, associate creative directors; Tod Puckett, director of production; Leila Gage, executive broadcast producer; Todd Porter, agency music sueprvisor. Production Epoch Films Martin de Thurah, director; Kasper Tuxen, DP; Melissa Culligan, managing director; Anura Idupuganti, line producer; Megan Murphree, head of production. Editorial Work Editorial Rich Orrick, editor; Keith Hamm, assistant editor; Marlo Baird, exec producer; Brandee Probasco, producer. Color The Mill NY Fergus McCall, colorist; Nate Seymour, Zack Wilpon, Daniel Moisoff, color assist; Dee Allen, exec producer; Natalie Westerfield, color producer; Evan Bauer, production coordinator, color. VFX The Mill LA Anastasia von Rahl, sr. exec producer; Jalisa House, production coordinator; John Shirley, shoot supervisor/2D lead artist; Chris Bayol, 3D lead artist; Tom Van Dop, Tim Crabtree, Ben Smith, 2D artists; Blake Guest, Sophie Pince, Sharlene Lin, Michael Lori, Steven Olson, Katie Yoon, 3D artists; Ed Laag, Eugene Gauran, matte painting; Jason Kang, Greg Park, motion graphics; Sasha Vinogradova, Jan Sladecko, Vinicius Naldi, designers. Sound Design/Audio Post Michael Anastasi, sound designer; Sam Casas, mixer; Susie Boyajan, exec producer; Kayla Phungglan, producer. Music Cutting Edge Group Jóhann Jóhannsson, composer; Michael Kurtz, exec producer/music producer. Publisher/Label Cutting Edge Music (Holdings) Limited. End Tag Graphics We Are Royale Chris Volckmann, exec producer; Karla Fay Sylvester, producer; Brien Holman, creative director; Mike Humphrey, animator.
Directed by Rich Hall via Riff Raff Films for Wieden+Kennedy Amsterdam, this Nike film--titled “The Five Stages of Haaland”--reimagines a one-on-one battle through the goalkeeper’s perspective, dramatizing his psychological descent through the five stages of grief with Erling Haaland, the Norwegian soccer superstar, charging toward him.
Haaland scoring a goal is inevitable and the goalie knows it, experiencing the five stages-Denial, Anger, Negotiation, Despair and finally Acceptance. The hyper-stylized processing of the five stages with Haaland’s onslaught unfolding before our eyes blends cinematic intensity and humor, delivering a fresh exhilarating, tongue-in-cheek take on sports advertising.
