PUMA: Spark
This explosive shoot for PUMA SPARK, was a lot like a football game - there were a lot of obstacles between us and the goal posts, and the final whistle was looming. Nevertheless, our team of MMMobsters took the shot, and SCORED!The Brief
PUMA Football were releasing the SPARK Pack, made up of the new Future and PUMA One boots, as well as apparel. The SPARK sub-brand is for the explosive soccer stars who take risks, and spark action on the pitch, and excitement in the stands. The creative approach had to follow suit. The CI prescribes using spark graphics and real players on a pitch, made to look like a set. Besides this, the brand also needed more traditional action and posed shots.
The team of SA players to showboat the new boots, were already picked. Rhoda Mulaudzi and Leandra Smeda were our female footie stars; and Themba Zwane, Thembinkosi Lorch, Teboho Mokoena and Percy Tau, were representing the men.
SPARK was launching locally in the second week of January and MMM was briefed a week before Christmas, just as South Africans start winding down. To add to the time pressure, Belgium-based player Percy Tau, was only in SA from Christmas Eve until 2 January.
MMMobsters
- Executive Producer: Thoban Jappie
- Production Director: Ali Conn
- Field Producer: Litha Mbutuma
- Shoot Director: Marty Bleazard
- Photographer: Mpumelelo Macu
- Videographer: Marty Bleazard
- Videographer: Tom Parkinson
- Camera Assistant: TKay Modise
- Stylist: Ryan Hing
- Hair & Make-up: Jules Ruby
- Photo Editor: Justin Leslie
- Motion Graphics & Video Edit: Matt Deuse
The MMMob Approach
When we kicked off Pre-Production, the obstacles of this project’s timelines became clear. All the professional Joburg football facilities, were already closed for the festive break. Our usual (and back up) gear suppliers had already closed their doors too. And Percy had to be shot in Jozi.
MMM had to be quick on our feet. We opted to shoot Percy in isolation of the other Players. Our Photographer was touching down in JHB from his holiday, and Percy was flying out later that same afternoon. We had a two-hour window to capture the shots. After hustling hard, we secured the use of a local, community soccer field. Turned out the pitch hadn’t been mowed since the shutdown, and so we had to shoot on the neighbouring rugby field.
The MMMobsters who were acting as our Skeleton Crew over the festive season, swooped in to pull it all together. The Creative Director doubled up as Videographer, and our Ops Director was also standing in as Production Manager too.
A week later, once South Africans officially got back to the grind, MMM’s Full Crew assembled. We shot the other five Players across a full day shoot, at a University’s soccer stadium in central Joburg. Photos and Video were captured simultaneously, to keep up with the pressing pace of the schedule.
The shoot wrapped on Thursday, Post-Prod performed their wizardry over the weekend, and the content was with the client for review on Monday. Reverts were actioned on Tuesday, and the final content was ready for publishing on Wednesday.
Leandra Smeda
Percy Tau
Rhoda Mulaudzi
Teboho Mokoena
Themba Zwane
Thembinkosi Lorch
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