Humanising Animals
Making them Talk, Sing, Laugh and Dance
‘Furry Anthropomorphism’ is the academic term for the attribution of human traits, emotions, or intentions to animals and is considered to be an innate tendency of human psychology.
The psychological aspect of the human personifications afforded to household pets has become a controversial topic. Hated by many, the relative merits and negative excesses of these practices have become a much-debated subject about their consequential impact on owners and pets.
The notion of anthropomorphised animals as characters with human characteristics however, is not a modern-day invention. Mythological talking animals for instance, often appear in traditional folk tales and children’s literature of most cultures. Storytellers have used talking animals as symbolic, morally enlightening or entertaining metaphors for human behaviour for decades.
The modern advent of computerised applications for film footage manipulation and life-like animation techniques has brought a new dimension to Animal Anthropomorphism and for many people it has entertainingly given life their imaginary fantasies and viewing pleasure.
1. VW Tiguan Trailer Assist, Laughing Horses
Adverting Agency: Grabarz & Partner, Hamburg
The commercial was directed by Bart Timmer and enjoyed 38 million, multi-platform views in the first weeks of its TV airing.
2. Mobile Provider 3 UK, Moonwalking Pony
Advertising Agency: Wieden+ Kennedy, London
The commercial by renound Film Director Dougal Wilson, features Shetland pony Socks dancing to the tune of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’. It rapidly became an an internet hit with more than seven million people viewing it on YouTube in the first week.
3. Freeview Digtal TV Service UK, Cat and Budgie
Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett, London
Directed by Ne-O, this highly popular and lauded commercial features a cat and a budgie singing Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s ‘You’re All I Need To Get By’.
4. Honda Ridgeline, New Truck To Love
Advertising Agency: RPA (Rubin Postaer and Associates), Santa Monica
Directed by Oscar nominated Bryan Buckle, this memorable commercial amusingly features a flock of sheep singing the Queen classic ‘Somebody to Love’ and highlights the Honda Ridgeline’s unique audio system.
5. Mercedes-Benz E-Class and The Bee Gees
Advertising Agency: Jung von Matt, Hamburg
Directed by Paulo Henriques and Adam Marko, this commercial has a surprise at the end that makes for very rewarding viewing.
6. Air New Zealand, Pete’s Discovered a Better Way To Fly
Advertising Agency: True, Auckland, New Zealand
Crafted by much lauded Film Director Paul Middleditch, the commercial is part of a campaign that effectively establishes Pete the talking Kiwi, as the iconic spokesperson for Air New Zealand. Pete has given airline information added interest by creating a unique Air New Zealand personality and charm.
7. Canal+, The Bear
Advertising Agency: BETC Euro RSCG, Paris
Canal+ is a French Premium Pay-TV Channel.
Brilliantly directed by Matthijs Van Heijningen, ‘The Bear’ is a highly entertaining parody of a typical Hollywood Film Director. Part creative genius and part control-freak. The reason for the odd, thin shape of the bear, named Paul Bearman, is rewardingly revealed at the end of the commercial.
‘The Bear’ motivated 1.5 million views on YouTube immediately after its first airing. It received worldwide acclaim, won a Cannes Film Craft Grand Prix and became part of French popular culture.