Advertising’s Oceans of Fun
Nautical themes have inspired creative conceptualisers over many years for film scenario storylines and parodies of ‘life on the ocean waves’.
1. Schweppes, I like It Like That
Advertising Agency: TBWA, Paris, France
Production Company: Stink Films, Paris, France
Post-production and VFX Studio: Digital District, Paris, France
Directed by filmmaker Fredrik Bond, the commercial, about a stressed submarine crew surfacing for a refreshing break, features a soundtrack of a 60’s hit song, from New York City’s Latin music ‘Boogaloo’ era titled, “I Like It Like That”, by musicians Tony Pabon and Manny Rodriguez.
The excellently choreographed dramatisation of the crew’s ‘sparkling’ exuberance is engagingly fun to view.
2. Heineken, The Odyssey
Advertising Agency: Wieden+Kennedy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Production Company: MJZ, London, UK
Post Production and VFX Studio: The Mill, London, UK
Heineken believes everyone excels at something, and no matter how obscure their particular talent may be, it deserves a celebratory tribute.
Directed by filmmaker Tom Kuntz, the inventive scenario features a cast of non-professional actors who each, like bird caller Scott Sparrow from South Africa, has a unique skill.
Johnny Cash’s ‘Sixteen Tons’, sung in Portuguese by Noriel Vilela of Brazil, provides a resonant supporting soundtrack to a fun and highly watchable commercial.
3. Bundaberg Rum, Men Like US
Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, Sydney, Australia
Production Company: Smith and Jones Films, London, UK
Directed by highly awarded filmmaker Ulf Johansson, the boat in the commercial was built by Steel Monkey, designers and engineers of set props, and stage scenery in Bristol, and filmed in Cornwall, at the Port Kerris dive centre’s private beach.
The filmic ‘Men Like Us’ Bundaberg Rum parody, features an original, award-winning soundtrack composed by Australian’s Nathan Cavaleri, a blues rock, singer-songwriter, and guitarist, Gerard Fitzgerald, a Jazz pianist, and music arranger, and Creative Director Scott Huebscher. who penned the song’s lyrics.
4. Heineken, The Match
Advertising Agency: Wieden+Kennedy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Production Company: Sonny, London, UK
Production Service Company: AZ Celtic Films, Istanbul, Turkey
Post Production and VFX Studio: The Mill, London, UK
The Cannes Lion and Clio awards ‘The Match’ commercial, directed by filmmaker Fredrik Bond, centres on an entertaining scenario about the inventive ways a ship’s crew manages not to miss a live broadcast of the UEFA Champions League final.
Involving a challenging six-day production of filming in Turkey in the confines of a cargo ship at sea, the imaginatively conceived commercial, is impressively cinematic, and great fun to view with the stellar performances by a great cast.
5. Jean-Paul Gaultier, On The Docks
Advertising Agency: Ogilvy, Paris, France
Production Company: Gang Films, Paris, France
Post-production and VFX Studio: Digital District, Paris, France
Filmmaker Johnny Green directed this superbly produced love story, filmed in Barcelona, Spain, for fashion designer Jean-Paul Gautier’s ‘Le Male’ and ‘Classique’ cologne ranges.
Starring supermodels Jarrod Scott, and Rianne ten Haken, the commercial’s breathtaking imagery and special effects, are accompanied by a resonant soundtrack of “Casta Diva” from Bellini’s Opera, “Norma”.
6. Heineken, The 007 Chase
Advertising Agency: Wieden+Kennedy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Production Company: MJZ, London, UK
Post Production and VFX Studio: The Mill, London, UK
Directed by filmmaker Tom Kuntz, and filmed on location in Rovinj Croatia, Heineken’s action-packed parody, to mark the launch of the Bond movie “Spectre”, stars Daniel Craig, and French actress Zara Prassinot, in a highly watchable commercial.
For the amusement of millions of Bond fans globally, the cinematic commercial includes a scene recalling villain ‘Odd Job’s ‘deadly’ bowler hat from the movie ‘Goldfinger’.
7. Old Spice, Whale
Advertising Agency: Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Oregon, USA
Production Companies: Biscuit Filmworks, Los Angeles, California, USA, and Revolver Films, Sydney, Australia
Post Production and VFX Studio: The Mill, Los Angeles, California, USA
Directed by filmmaker Steve Rogers, and filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, the Old Spice ‘Whale” commercial stars French born actor and writer, Axel Kiener.
The Cannes, Clio, and One Club award-winning commercial, is a surreal dramatisation of manliness in the Old Spice ’Smellegendary’ campaign series of humorously wacky and entertaining film scenarios.