July 11, 2011 (Santa Monica, CA) – Hitting the road for a new international California Tourism spot, Beef Films founding director/partner Nick Spooner and Head of Production/producer/partner John Malina covered 2,400 miles in 10 days on one of the most invigorating shoots they’ve executed in the last 15 years. The commercial, “Royal Visit,” was created via Mering Carson and produced by Beef, which is presided over by Partners/Executive Producers Ashley Adams and Stephen Hens.
Since 2001, California Tourism has mounted a string of hugely successful campaigns working with some of the most notable directors in the industry. The new spot capitalizes on Prince William and Kate Middleton’s visit to California this past weekend. The ad showcases California’s most attractive natural sites and activities, envisioning an action-packed three days for the royal couple. While some sit on a hill looking out on the beach with a cup of coffee, others kayak, bike, camp, fish, raft, swim, surf, golf and hike.
On the shoot, Spooner, Malina, and their crew traveled by bus from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Yosemite, Mammoth, Hearst Castle, Lake Shasta and Mendocino. “We assembled an amazing crew with guys like Mike Ozier, an extreme sports DP known for his beautiful camera work,” Malina explained. “The weather cooperated perfectly and we really did see the state in its beauty.” “It definitely beat the hell out of shooting on a stage,” Spooner confirmed.
“Royal Visit,” which broke July 1, is airing nationally in the US, as well as in Canada, England, Australia and New Zealand.
The project was shot on the Arri Alexa and other HD formats, and transcoded on location. Chop House Post handled all offline editorial, composite shots and conform. During the shoot, the team worked closely with editor Dean Gonzalez, pulling selects and working on the edit. “With a fast turnaround like we had, we did everything to make the process as seamless as possible,” said Chop House partner/artist Stephen Hens. “With our in-house editor, Jaime Arze, on the road for the entire shoot the agency was able to view color corrected dailies each morning. We backed up on multiple hard drives, allowing the gang to pick up in LA with Dean so we could hit the finish line.”
Credits
Client: California Tourism
Spot Title: Royal Visit
Agency: Mering Carson
Creative Director: Dave Mering & Greg Carson
Art Director: Robert Petrie
Copywriter: Kerry Krasts
Agency Producer: Liz Ross
Production Company: Beef Films
Director: Nick Spooner
DP: Great Guns: Michael Ozier
EP(s): Ashley Adams & Michael Yessian
Producer: John Malina
Editorial Company: Peepshow
Editor: Dean Gonzalez
Post/Effects Company: Chop House Edit
Music Company: Yessian
Composer: JJ Appleton & Andy Grush
