A youngster is asked to join a pick-up game on a hot summer day and this leads to a string of invitations–some from famous athletes (MLB star Mike Trout, NFL quarterback Andrew Luck ) to join other teams and pick-up games as he participates in several sports around the neighborhood, ultimately ending up back where he started.
Stacy Wall of Imperial Woodpecker directed this frenetic, fast-paced roller coaster ride of an adventure for Nike out of Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Editor was Rich Orrick of Work Editorial.
Credits
Client Nike Agency Wieden+Kennedy, Portland, Ore. Chris Groom, Stuart Brown, creative directors; Derek Szynal, copywriter; Jason Campbell, art director; Ross Plummer, producer; Matt Hunnicutt, executive agency producer; Mark Fitzloff, Joe Staples, executive creative directors; Andy Lindblade, Brandon Thornton, Reid Schilperoort, strategic planning. Production Imperial Woodpecker, bicoastal Stacy Wall, director Doug Halbert, exec producer; Matt Wersinger, line producer; Jon Lynch, DP. Editorial Work, LA Rich Orrick, editor; Clay Doggett, assistant editor; Mario Baird, post executive producer. VFX Joint Editorial, Portland Alex Thiesen, VFX supervisor; Katrina Salicrup, Flame artist; Rebekah Korebel, VFX producer. Music/SoundSong: “Surfin’ Bird,” The Trashmen Barking Owl, West Los Angeles Michael Anastasi, sound designer; Kelly Bayett, creative director; Whitney Fromholtz, producer.Audio Post Lime Studios, Santa Monica, Calif. Loren Silber, mixer; Susie Boyajan, producer.
Peter Thwaites of The Corner Shop directed this film for healthcare company Abbott that shows what itโs really like to live with diabetes--including the constant judgment, shame and guilt.
The film is the cornerstone of Abbottโs new global initiative called โAbove The Biasโ out of agency VML Chicago, which is driving awareness about the health impact common misconceptions and bias about diabetes can have on people living with the condition.
Thwaites said, โWhat initially drew me to this project was the chance to create a visual metaphor for the weight of other peopleโs opinions--something we all carry, whether we realize it or not. The suit we built to physically weigh down our actor became more than just a prop; it shaped his performance, making the emotional burden feel tangible. Tonally, I wanted to ensure the message felt earned without becoming overly sentimental, allowing the actor to start from a grounded place and gradually reveal the impact of that weight.โ
Healthcare company Abbott--known for its medical technology, nutritional products and pharmaceuticals--surveyed more than 2,600 people living with diabetes across eight countries, including the U.S., to help inform the campaign and bring to life the realities of living with the condition. Research found that nearly 70% believe there is stigma associated with their condition; almost 25% have avoided sharing their diagnosis with family or friends out of embarrassment or concern; and 40% have skipped or missed a doctorโs appointment due to shame or stigma.