SMUGGLER Director Chris Smith, Publicis Italy, Multiple DPs Make "Connections" For Heineken
By
Robert Goldrich1962 views
Stay at home orders can’t keep friends and family from enjoying beers together in this commercial for Heineken directed by Chris Smith.
Agency Publicis Milan approached SMUGGLER London and Smith about shooting the global ad for Heineken during lockdown on a tight timeline.
Smith (also known recently as an EP of Tiger King) alongside EP Sara Wallace devised an approach whereby he could direct everything remotely with trusted DPs from across the globe, shooting safely in their own homes.
“We quickly compiled an extensive list of DOPs, along with location images of what their homes looked like, and casting links to people they lived with who were happy to be part of the campaign. We intentionally worked with cinematographers from different time zones, LA, London, Australia, Brazil, in order to schedule our days so all scenes were shot at dusk. The entire production took approximately 10 days from prep to final films,” said EP Wallace.
The approach allowed for a premium look, diversity in locations and casting, to create a spot that feels of the times, but not stuck in the moment.
While Smith directed the spot remotely, he injected his trademark sense of humor, knack for storytelling and cinematic aesthetic. The story is full of nuanced relatable moments and rings true to the universal experience of life during quarantine.
Client Heineken Agency Publicis Italy Bruno Bertelli, global chief creative officer, Publicis Worldwide; Christiana Boccassini, chief creative officer, Publicis Italy; Luissandro Del Gobbo, Mihnea Gheorghiu, global executive creative directors; Eoin Sherry, creative director; Arthur Amorim, Dan Arango, associate creative directors; James Moore, global strategy director; Francesca Zazzera, head of TV production; Beatrice Pepe, producer. Production SMUGGLER Chris Smith, director; Jack Harrison, Emily Jane Robinson, Rina Yang, Adric Watson, Duncan Smith, Olan Collardy, Tim Tregoning, DPs; Sara Wallace, Patrick Milling-Smith, Brian Carmody, exec producers; Kate Noble, producer; Stuart Greenwald, editor; Alessandro Belotti, digital content editor. Postproduction Prodigious Music Sizzer