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Group745
Group745
Group745
Group745
Group745
Group745
Creative in association withGear Seven
Group745

Glasgow Pub Transforms into a Brooklyn Dive Bar in Ballantine’s 7 Spot

17/05/2022
Production Agency
London, UK
156
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OB Management director Thomas James teams up with Crispin Porter + Bogusky on technically challenging film

Following three British Arrows nominations for his debut commercial for Bolt, Thomas James’ latest spot through Crispin Porter + Bogusky further establishes the director as a rising talent and one to watch in advertising. 

In this beautifully crafted and technically challenging film for ‘Ballantine’s 7 American Barrel’, Thomas takes the flawless blending of nuanced flavours in the bottle, and places them on the screen in an intelligent, technically subtle and hypnotising manner. Embracing the mantra “Scotch whisky, American attitude”.

Shot in a gloriously meandering single take, the story revolves around a bar as it transforms from Glasgow pub to Brooklyn dive bar, all before our very eyes. As if Scotland to New York was as simple as whisky bottle to glass. 

In order to achieve this all in-camera, a moveable set was specially designed, allowing sections to slide in or out and rotate, with actors changing clothes while the camera rolled. The result is a cinematic and effortless merging of two very idiosyncratic worlds, much like Ballantine’s 7 itself.

The commercial, produced by OB, warrants multiple views to appreciate the skill and ingenuity on show here but if you really want to peek behind the curtain, a split-screen, real time ‘behind the scenes’ film does just that.

The essence of originality, creativity and enthusiasm for the craft lies at the core of Thomas’ work, a desire to create films that challenge and speak to his unique creative flair. 

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