South African agency King James and director Keith Rose have revived James Dean in a spot for Allan Gray, a South African financial services firm. The spot imagines Dean’s life had he survived the accident that ended his life at age 24. The spot is technically impressive and flawlessly executed – an actor was cast and coached over two months to play the role, and make-up, prosthetics, and CG face replacement were used to ensure a physical resemblance. The famous accident scene was also shot using a replica 550 RSK Porsche Spyder – one of only two available. The concept and insight for the spot – and its relation to financial services – is summed up in the tagline “Given more time, imagine the possibilities”.
Watch the ad below.
[via Creativity-Online]
Facebook
Twitter
Digg
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Interesting, but I’m not sure how to interpret the message. James Dean would not have lived had he made financial investments through this Australian bank or any other bank. They’re not selling seat belts. So it just reinforces the sadness at the lost greatness that could have been.
Maybe I over-think these things, but if anything, it’s rather the opposite conclusion it makes you come to: why should I invest long-term, when my life could end tragically in an instant like James Dean’s. Squirreling away 10% of his income wouldn’t have saved his life. Frankly, he’d have been better off spending 100% of his money on booze and women and other fun things, since life is short and unforgiving, so you might as well have fun while you can.
September 17th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Interesting perspective – “carpe diem” is definitely one interpretation of the relationship between James Dean and a financial services firm. I interpreted the “given more time…” message to infer that, if given more time (like you might give an investment), James Dean could have done many more great things with more than 24 years of life. I admire the spot’s execution and its celebration of a legend, but sometimes think the “could have been” is much sadder than if you just celebrate what was. Nothing’s worse than “what if”. But I digress…
September 17th, 2009 at 2:42 pm