Crossroads’ Director Nico Beyer Completes Trio of Spots for NATO
Crossroads director Nico Beyer in collaboration with Scholz & Friends European Office has just released a trio of stirring :30s for NATO that underscores the military alliance’s effectiveness at maintaining international peace, security and stability. Each of the three spots begins with an ominous montage showing what appear to be panicked citizens caught up in a terrifying war zone. The scenes then expands to show the characters enjoying the everyday joys of a peaceful, prosperous society, underscoring the role that NATO plays in keeping the world safe.
Each scene closes with relevant taglines:
People often take freedom and stability for granted. We don’t. Peace and Security. That’s our mission.
You want a life of freedom and stability. So do we. Peace and Security. That’s our mission.
Freedom to do what you want. We help that happen. Peace and Security. That’s our mission.
Crossroads EP Michael Fekete notes, “These are powerful spots which further add to Nico’s dynamic body of work. His ability to create and capture strong visual imagery, combined with a talent for dramatic story telling, fuse these NATO spots into an effective, and impressive message campaign…I was blown away when I saw the finished product.”
In Basement, a swirl of bodies collide in a dank space amidst a backdrop of screaming and chaos. The fatigued crowd looks bewildered and exhausted, suggesting that the mob is caught up in a horrific scenario. The camera then pans out to show a deejay spinning records, revealing the scene as a subterranean night club packed with partying, exuberant youth.
In Run, a number of kids sprint furiously along, faces filled with emotional strain as adults look on, screaming. The scene cuts to ferocious-looking dogs straining at their leashes, as though in pursuit. But the doomsday is a mirage, as the kids are soccer players fully engrossed in their game; the parents and dogs nothing more than excited sideline spectators.
Staircase features a woman descending from an upper floor through darkness, the scene dimly lit by a chaotic crackling and flashing of lights visible through the windows. At the bottom of the staircase she emerges into the welcoming arms of her family to join them as they gasp at a celebratory fireworks show in the near distance.
“The trick here was to create the illusion of chaos within the context of what turns out to be a peaceful scene,” stated Beyer. “We had to pull together the perfect combination of sound, lighting, angles, and character to create this mirage, but luckily we had the creative talent to pull it off. The campaign is really a great idea; a perfect example of the power that can be packed into the framework of a traditional :30.”
The “60 Years of NATO” campaign will be broadcast throughout all NATO countries, and online at www.60yearsnato.info.
The Creds:
Client: NATO
Spot Title: Basement, Run, Staircase
Air Date: June 2009
Agency: Scholz & Friends European Office
CD: Mirko Dermann
Consultant(s): Helge Koehling, Tecla Kohls
Managing Director: Lutz Meyer
Prod Company: United Visions, Berlin
Director: Nico Beyer (Represented by Crossroads U.S.)
DP: Michael Mieke
Producer: Fabian Barz
Editor: Tom Seil
Post Prod: NHB, Berlin
Artist: Yesim Altilar
Sound Designer: Lars Lohn
Shoot Location: Germany
About Crossroads:
A multimedia and content creation firm, Crossroads offers a clear vision, innovative leadership, and unparalleled reach into the entertainment talent pool. With headquarters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, and an affiliate office in Toronto, Crossroads has six divisions: Film, Television, Commercials, Music Videos, New Media, and Creative Services. All offer exclusive talent featuring some of the world’s top directors, show creators, writers, and producers.
Founded in 1989, Crossroads has been a consistent leader in the development and production of feature films and television programming, as well as producing award-winning commercial and music video content for top-tier brands, agencies and performing artists.
For more, go to www.crossroadsfilms.com
TRUST | NY 646.452.3388 | LA 310.451.5153 | trustcollective.com
