Flightless birds get to fly in this spot directed by Sticks+Stones director Jerry Brown for Washington Lottery via Publicis in the West.
The birds were amazing to work with. … read moreProbably the biggest challenge was that we were not allowed to actually fly with any of the birds, so for me the challenge was all about showing the birds enjoying “flight” from camera angles that while interesting, didn’t stretch credulity. The animal trainers worked with the birds for more than a week; suspending them in harnesses and getting them used to being in their rigs. The still pictures I saw along the way were NOT encouraging and therefore I became a bit apprehensive. Then on the days we actually shot, the birds they performed amazingly. Unexpectedly, the chicken roosted on the hang-gliding bar, the penguin flapped its wings unlike it had ever done to that point, and the emu stayed suspended far longer than it tolerated previously. It was like they saved their best performances for shooting. I also learned that penguins can bite, and an emu doesn’t really relish having its feet suspended, even a foot off the ground, not to mention that it has a kick that will leave a permanent mark.
