Scalped

A few weeks ago, I was watching TV, and this commercial came on.

(Thanks to FutureRetro2010 on Youtube for capturing and posting it)





In this time of economic uncertainty, an offer like this seems reassuring and ever so tempting. Western Sky Financial looks like the helping hand we have been waiting for ... and this woman is dripping with sincerity.

On top of that ... You can feel good knowing that your monthly interest payments will be directly benefitting a 100% Native American owned business. Their spokeswoman's heritage is quite unmistakable from the looks of her authentic clothes and jewelry.* ;)

*Nice job Wardrobe Dept.




The big problem that I have with their script is this:

"Yes the money's expensive ... but it's cheaper than a payday advance".

If you read their own fine print, you will see that an initial $5000.00 loan will involve 84 (7 years) monthly payments of $486.58 and an annual interest rate of 116.73%.

What does that mean, Kemosabe?

Well ... That means you borrow $5000.00 from them ... and after seven years of paying back ... you will have repaid $40,895.40** back to them.

**Tax free since they are located on Native American land.

"Yes the money's expensive ... but it's cheaper than a payday advance".

Disclaimer: I must admit that I am a freelance film producer, and I do not fully understand the payday advance system.

With that said, unless your full-time boss is forcing you to fellate him for a pay advance, I cannot see how this is a better option.

I love Native American culture.

The symbol of my own company was designed by an amazing Hopi artist.

My humble appeal is this:

Leave greed to the white man. It will rot you from within.

Firewater will look like soda pop compared to greed.

Fox Soccer

I was fortunate enough to get a chance to produce the NY portion of this campaign for Fox Soccer. This multi-city campaign was shot by a talented director and his young DP. The camera and lighting gear was kept to a bare minimum, and the locations were often stolen ... or borrowed. :)








Serious soccer lovers can view an optional cut on the Director's Website.

I must admit that I like all the different cuts ... but for different reasons.

Labors of Love

Last summer, I got a chance to 1st AD all five of the new commercials from the 2007 Mad Croc campaign.

I enjoyed working on all of them, but I felt that these two were the stand out winners among the five.

This first spot was an absolute headache for me, and it was the very first one we shot. Both kids did a great job, but they skipped breakfast and were nervous.

Trying to get both of them to do the exact right action AND at the exact right time was nearly impossible. I was under the kitchen counter helping both kids hit their marks and cueing them to perform their actions.

In the end, I believe all the sweat and hard work paid off.

This one is by far my favorite.




The second one, was a major challenge for the art department, which was headed by Greg Kenney. His small team of guys needed to dress an ordinary house to look like a frat after party that would have put Dionysus and Caligula to shame.

I ask you ... What fraternity party is complete without sex dolls, clowns and beautiful Asian women?

My good friend Crawford Bidwell is in the eagle mascot costume.

He seriously deserved a medal of honor just for wearing that outfit in the extreme heat.



There is also another spot shot in an office that is good.

However, I firmly believe that it is Kate Gilligan's talent that makes the commercial work and not the agency's conceptual idea.