Beef and Pie

As soon as we heard the concept of this campaign, The Walnut Room at the Clarion Hotel came to mind.  This is the badly carpeted, badly lit hotel conference room where casting calls have been taking place in Austin for decades. The second thing that came to mind was to call Rachel Flanagan – the queen of casting.  Once those two pieces were in place we had to decide if we were going to tell the actors what the concept was – that this casting call was going to be the spots – or should we hit them with it while the camera was rolling.  

We decided to let them in on the joke once we realized the quality of comedy actors we had coming in. That way they would have a chance to prepare.  And they did.  Wow. This was the loudest, most outrageous, most over the top call we’ve ever been a part of.  And I’m not just saying that because of the old lady who took her top off or the actress who showed up in full mermaid costume.  

Credits include: Writer: Dirk Mitchell, AD: James Howe and a huge shoutout to editor Tony Gallardo from JEH Productions in San Antonio. 

We’ve been fans of John’s ability to beat box for like 10 years now.  So when the idea came up to bring him in for this it was a no brainer. 

Improv comedians are our friends.

Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill, Bill.  Not sure what else there is to say.  Bill Wise has been the most dependably funny actor in Austin for the past 15 years.  He just brings it every time.  Another obvious one to invite and he didn’t disappoint.  As soon as he walks in he owns the room with endearing comments like “Wow, I’d like to take this smell and put it between two slices of bread!” Okay, fair enough, it had been a long day….

You might recognize Aaron from Friday Night Lights as Coach Spivey, but we know Aaron for being one of the funniest actors OF ALL TIME.  We don’t capitalize lightly either.  Just watch this spot here and then watch what he did with us – in a Laff-Ro- for Southwest Airlines – HERE.