One of my favorite work projects in awhile is the “Save Our City” promotion for 105.7 the Point and Shapiro Metal Supply. I’d been looking for a creative project for our video team that would break away a bit from the usual documentary style of our productions.

Shapiro didn’t lend itself easily to typical promo ideas outside of your basic radio spots. What can you do to make a metal supply yard exciting for a male 18-34 demographic?

Being a lifelong fan of sci-fi and cartoons, the first thing that came to mind was the construction of a giant robot, Asian b-movie style. And why would you need a giant robot? Why, to stave off the attack of a giant monster!

I proposed a pretty crazy promotion, led by an in-house created video (see YouTube video above) shot to look like an amalgam of 50′s sci-fi noir and Sin City style green-screening. The client loved the idea – turns out they have a nice niche business selling scrap and parts to guys building Battle Bots. There was a thematic fit, and we were off and rolling.

The video was shot in a make-shift studio with green screen fabric drops. Documentary portion was shot on location. Filmed on DV tape in 1080i HD, edited in Final Cut Pro. Key Art backgrounds designed in Photoshop.

Special thanks to my co-conspirator Nathan, who really busted his hindquarters on the editing and learning the chroma-key and desaturation techniques on the fly for this project.

• Written, Designed and Directed by Adron Buske (me)
• Videography, Motion Graphics and Editing by Nathan Cowen
• Narrators: Ed Brown and Drew Patterson
• Costumes and Props courtesy of Jason Heeren and Lisa Foiles
• Featuring: Sammy Caputa, Ashley Elzinga, Katie Sorensen, Nathan Cowen, Patrick and myself

Click here for the promotion page on the 105.7 the Point’s website.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the weird shit I’ve experienced in my time:

I’ve see two different types of UFOs on at least 3 separate occasions

A friend and I once fell under the grip of what I could only describe as a demonic presence

I have entered into a rural cornfield with a group of friends, armed, and been surrounded by unidentified… things… in the field – after finding a patch of glowing crop

I have experienced lost time

A door once opened into my outstretched hand immediately after I said “Open Seasame” as a joke. Two friends saw this. There was no one on the other side. Ooooh oohhh.

Once, while at work and broke, I asked Jesus for pizza, and he delivered. Well, actually Papa John’s did, but I didn’t order, didn’t have to pay, it just came a few minutes after I spoke with JC. Mike was there – he’ll vouch.

I was near ground zero of a multiple possession.

The “walking mist” approached a vehicle myself and three friends occupied while trying to sleep – in a park built over an Indian burial ground.

A friend and I experienced temporary sensory expansion after the apparent passage of an unseen being or force through our space. During this time I verbally commanded a computer to cease a function, and it did, instantaneously. (No, there was not a microphone attached). A third person was present during this event, but she did not experience expansion.

I once met Jim Varney (star of the “Ernest” movies)

No, I’ve never done any kind of drug that wasn’t doctor prescribed. Yes, these things did happen. Remotely curious? Ask me about them.

/// Listening to “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars