AT&T Michael Mann Blackberry advert

Michael Mann directed AT&T and Blackberry advert

Being behind in the UK, I came to this late. I remember watching the TV adverts only a week or so ago and doing something else, only to be suddenly arrested to the screen in what was a very Mannesque run of complex night visuals and high tech drama. It was the new AT&T Blackberry advert. I said to myself, "looks a rip off from Mann's visual repertoire, and his 'Lucky Mercedes' advert." Little did I know that it WAS a Michael Mann directed advert - how did I not know that was coming? Anyway, here is a little info I have pulled together about it, if you are interested. I am amazed that adverts can attract the level of talent they seem to be these days, but glad they do.

Here is the advert:




Levi Meeuwenberg, a leading 'free runner' was in the advert. He says the following at SkyNative, his own freerunner social site:

I recently appeared in a commercial for ATT's Blackberry Bold 9700. It was shot and directed by Michael Mann here in Los Angeles. I'm the guy with the blackberry being chased. Originally they wanted the guy to do some parkour moves but I only got to do one really basic move (tictac 270-cat), and they cut it out anyways. Hah. Comment if you see it on TV!

The following is taken from Slashfilm.com

BBDO, AT&T and BlackBerry have just released a new interactive advertisement directed by Michael Mann (Public Enemies, Heat, The Insider) that ties a broadcast TV spot (a 24-style action-thriller) with a your Facebook account information to insert you into the story. The television broadcast version of the advertisement is a bit shorter, and keeps the identity of the central character a mystery. In the online version, your photo, key information, and even your friends are inserted into the action.

Also of note, Roberto Schaefer (Quantum of Solace, The Kite Runner, Stranger Than Fiction) was the director of photography on the spot, which was edited by the two-time Academy Award-nominated Saar Klein (Almost Famous, The Bourne Identity, The Thin Red Line).

Go to onestepaheadmovie.com to watch/be in the spot now.

Nike Leave Nothing Commercial

Here is a great commercial Michael Mann did for Nike some time ago, called Leave Nothing. It is very original and yet still expresses some of Michael Mann's desire to render the inside nature of "life", which in this case is sport. "American" football (I am British) is played in all weathers and this is perfectly portrayed in the commercial. This fighting against the elements is symbolic of most competitive sports - it is a mental battle as well as physical. Anybody who does running or walking will know what it is to fight against the weather, to not let it succeed in beating you down. Playing in competitive sport is like that - you cannot let your opponents mentally break you down. You stick your head down and drive through both rain, snow, wind and men! And come out victorious! Anyway, that is my interpretation! Here it is, with apt soundtrack inspiration from The Last of the Mohicans (the original version of which you can hear here):

Michael Mann "Lucky Star" Mercedes Benz SL500 Advert

It's an advert thast has been around a while, but thought to include it here. Another typical Michael Mann urban style advert, but without the strong application of music typically associated with his productions. Mann draws the same imagery used in Heat, Collateral and Miami Vice, which is a somewhat easy and familiar option - becoming a tired formulae now. Anyway, still good to look at! However, I personally don't like Benicio Del Toro, I just can't connect with his characters.

He is a Ferrari Mann - Ferrari California Advert

Following a number of superb adverts he has made, Michael Mann was recently asked by Ferrari to create an official movie for the all new model: The Ferrari California.

http://www.ferraricalifornia.com/worldpremiere/

The advert is typical of Mann's style. The music is by Lisa Gerrard entitled Man on Fire from the soundtrack of the movie with the same name. The music, as you would expect, is dynamically synchronized with each car scene in the advert.

There are three scenes that are worthy of particular mention. The first, and most spectacular, is the helicopter shot that is first set with a glide over the breaking waves of the California coast which then switches to a dramatic fly past of the cliffs shot during the shoot's "Golden Hour". This is the start of one fairly long and technically extremely difficult shot. The camera flies over the sea towards the edge of the cliff and as it reaches the edge the music defines that dramatic moment as the car steams into view, engine roaring, on the road at the cliff top as the helicopter then travels around the back of the car, the camera still shooting, until the camera is on the other side of the Ferrari with the sea now in the background, the warm light flooding the scene. It is an incredibly difficult shot executed with total perfection. It is tempting to think the shot is cut slightly abruptly - but then you immediately feel guilty for thinking it, given the extraordinary camera work just witnessed and the hard work gone into it. My guess is the shot was cut slightly early for dramatic editing reasons, or because the camera man just lost the frame at the very end. Who knows. But it is a stunning shot.

Another shot I like is when the Azure blue car comes into half view on the crest of a hill with the music ramping up. And lastly, only Michael Mann can make a convertable roof going up seem dynamic! This is an example of how Mann makes music elevate a scene beyond it's ordinary nature.

This is a purist advert, and one I thoroughly enjoyed and watched about ten times. Superb editing, sound and music.