Adidas - Superstan

Overview

The loose conversational style of the script is so fun. A perfect way to introduce the world to the Superstan, while also giving us the opportunity to create some amazing on-screen chemistry, hilarious clap-backs, and killer hand-drawn animation (my favorite).

I want this spot to not only speak to the target audience but also shine with imaginative details and clever production design. This is a group of friends we should all feel right at home in. Easygoing, clever, fiercely opinionated, with an eye for killer style. That banter and bond should play visually on the screen, audio on or off, and serve to showcase Adidas’ soon-to-be iconic Superstan.

Casting & Chemistry

These kids need to vibe and play off one another in a genuine and kinetic way. When they talk, the others not only need to listen, but also react, joke, and emote organically like only besties can. Curating compatibility is going to be key in casting, and you only know you’ve got it when it’s right there happening in front of you.

We should consider putting the call out to pre-existing friendgroups. I’m sure we won’t have any trouble finding diverse and witty squads out here in LA that’d be down to show us what they’ve got. And it should go without saying that these guys should look like high-schoolers, and not models.

Casting is where this spot lives or dies, and it’s when we’ll ask the questions that tell us where each teen falls in the fickle social high-school hierarchy. Who is our trendsetter, our class clown, art kid, dorky friend, athlete, “that guy”, and bestie? Matching them up in different combos will unlock that killer group chemistry that we’re looking for.

The Shoe Shot

Though these kids are gonna give us some amazing performances, we can’t forget the true star of the film, The Superstans. The kid wearing them has to walk with confidence and exude the energy of a trendsetter. When our friendgroup catches him crossing the cafeteria in his Superstans, they instantly know that the game has changed and a new duo has entered (and ended) the debate.

I want to light the Superstans in an almost dreamlike way. As we film them in motion, the footage will be subtly speedramped, so we’re able to fully take in every stunning detail. It will feel like these shoes are taking this kid some place, not only to the next level of style, but of self-confidence and status also.

Shooting Style

When we drop into this classic cafeteria debate we want to feel like we’re one of the crew. Keeping the look and the lighting natural, but punching in with zooms to capture reactions and expressions. We also want to make sure that we’re taking the unique personalities of our teens into consideration when we’re framing them up. How they’re placed in the frame will tell us tons about who they are and what role they play in the group.

Styling & Wardrobe

Streetwear is king right now. So I want the wardrobe to reflect today’s trends, but with an elevated edge. Subtle color combos that look considered, without commanding our attention. This is a diverse group from different backgrounds that all know how to put a solid look together.

Each style and wardrobe choice has to serve a dual purpose. It’s got to broadcast the spirit of our cast’s character, but it also has to give the actor the confidence to deliver a solid performance. It’s a balance that my styling team has struck time and time again to incredible results.

The Vibe on Set

I keep shoot days fun. Playing music in-between setups, breaking it down with talent before we start so they know we’re all in this together, and having our crew clap it up after every take so that positive energy circulates back to the cast.

Maintaining that vibe is essential to keeping these kids engaged and expressive during the day. When I work with teens or kids I like to get their favorite song at the time, and then play it in-between takes. It bonds us together, gives them confidence, starts the day off right, and lets them know they have a friend behind the camera.

Animation

Drawing is one of my first ever passions, and it’s something I love to integrate into my films. There’s something about the loose lined look of hand-drawn animation that not only catches the eye, but also invites us to use our own imaginations to engage with what we’re watching.

Our animations will depict the duo each teen’s talking about, but stylized with limited motion so that it looks crafted and purposeful. The color of the animation will change as we jump from kid to kid, so that it reflects their own unique identity.

I also like the idea of including some animation in the reaction zooms. It’s a great creative tool, and it’s something all high-schoolers will feel a connection to.

Celeb Cameo

We gotta keep the cameo subtle. Camouflaging an all-star like Patrick Beverly as a lunchworker, PE coach, principal or security guard is a clever idea, and will demand a repeat view from viewers who saw through the disguise. Rather than lining him out as any specific role, we should ask him about what kind of character he’d like to play. These players have a lot of respect for the people in school that inspired them to achieve their dreams, so we should celebrate that by letting Beverly play a version of that special person.

I think he’d have a lot of fun getting into character, and I’d love to run him through a bunch of directions/reactions to make sure we make the most of his time and hours.