High Five: Recent Faves from The Quarry's Owen Oppenheimer
Having spent the last six months editing long-form on series four of Sky TV’s 'Brassic', it’s been refreshing to take a look at what’s been going on in the advertising world in my absence. Here’s a selection of comedic gems...
Uber - 'Uber Don’t Eats'
Agency: Special Group US
Uber Eats ad for this year’s Super Bowl had me crying with laughter. Jennifer Coolidge, hot on the heels of her incredible performance in 'White Lotus', introduces us to a cast of what can only be described as existentially-challenged celebs; Nicholas Braun from 'Succession' downing washing-up liquid, Gwyneth Paltrow attempting to eat one of her own vagina candles. Even the small print has its own easter egg-like rewards. I’ve watched this on repeat and literally feel myself getting dumber with each viewing. Does that mean I can eats it!?
Apple - 'Escape From the Office'
Production: SMUGGLER
Here’s a film that shows how advertising is moving far beyond its traditional 30-60 second straitjacket, into the realms of the sitcom. Some might class it as an extended piece of product placement, but it’s done with such pizzazz and charm that it totally gets away with it. Sharp writing, great comedic performances and a knowing reference to The Undertones’ second most popular song around the 2’30” mark. What’s not to like?
Danish Road Safety Council - 'Helmets Have Always Been a Good Idea'
Agency: &Co.
Production: New-Land
I love this example of understated bone-dry Scandi humour. Tore Frandsen’s film plays on the pride of an alpha-male viking warrior struggling to come up with excuses for not wearing a helmet. (I get an itchy scalp too, so I sympathise.) Beautifully cast and shot, what starts out as an epic 'Game of Thrones' style costume epic ends in a Blackadder-esque note of embarrassment, perfectly undercutting the testosterone fuelled build up.
International Paralympic Committee - '#WeThe15'
Agency: adam&eveDDB
Production: Pulse Films
This deliberate antithesis to Channel 4’s superlative 'Superhumans' campaigns is a fantastic piece of work. Here it’s the ordinariness of people with disabilities - and the fact that they make up 15% of the world’s population - that is highlighted. Sam Pilling’s film is full of wit, playfulness and a refreshing lack of sentimentality.
what3words - 'Neighbours'
Agency: neverland
Production: SMUGGLER
Finally a nod to The Quarry’s own Julian Tranquille, who edited this charming spot for the unique mapping app what3words. The elderly neighbours seem to be receiving our gangly hero’s parcels, but with typically British reserve, it’s all left unsaid. The gradual reveal is deftly done, and our hero’s defeated wobble of the head at the end is pitch perfect.
