606 Takes To film Rube Goldberg-like car ad

wagdog writes "Many have no doubt seen the Rube Goldberg-like multistep mechanical chain reaction TV advert for the Honda Accord. Many thought this was yet another example of the pervasive use of computer graphics in TV commercials. Amazingly the entire delicate set up of car parts that constitute the facinating sequence is almost 100% realtime live action requiring an astounding 606 takes to get right . There is one cheat however -- can you spot it?"

Comments

Re:This a blatant ripoff of:

[Anonymous Coward]

well yes, in the same sense that all computer games are a blatant ripoff of pong. or spacewar. whatever.

ass.

The cost of consumer items

[beaverfever]

£750,000 for an ad which will run for 7 1/2 weeks - I'm sure it's not unusual; just don't forget what you're really paying for when you buy a car - a big chunk of the cost of autos is just covering advertising - it's the same with many consumer items.

I wonder what the math is on the idea of lowering advertising costs to bring down end price of the product which might increase sales, balanced against the decreased exposure which might decrease sales. As long as people are willing to pay what they are currently paying, I guess it doesn't matter.

Re:The cost of consumer items

[91degrees]

but have you ever switched from coke to pepsi or vice versa because you were impressed by an advertisment?

Name 3 other brands of Cola.

Re:Honda Accord is the Cadillac of Autos

[Alan Partridge]

"the suspension is so smooth, you can't tell that you're on a road at all"

I take it you're an AMERICAN "driver" and the above statement qualifies as a GOOD THING?

Re:Flash video format

[Xzzy]

is it just me, or this beyond stupid?

Why would anyone use a vector-based animation format to show full motion video?

obviously it works, because the movie is viewable, but this seems akin to using a vw bug for hauling lumber. Just because it can work doesn't mean it should be done.. :P

Re:Direct link...

[azav]

Excellent. Flash just shouldn't be used for video. Thanks.

Re:Honda Accord is the Cadillac of Autos

[jsin]

Are you retarded? The original post said 240HP, not 190... ...anyway, I don't think most (intellegent) people buy an Accord for bench-racing.

If you want to go fast in a straight line cheaply, buy anything with a Chevy 350 and build it up; if you want to go REALLY fast, stop pussing around with cars and buy a motorcycle. ...what a fun way to burn Karma!

Re:What is it meant to say about the cars?

[gurps_npc]

People advertise for 3 reasons.

Achieve Name Recognition.

Inform the Public of something new

Remind the Public that they exist.

Create an image/rep/brand.

Honda does not need any more Name Recognition. People know that Honda makes cars.

Honda has no need to tell anyone anything new. Frankly, they have nothing new to say.

Honda DOES need to remind us that they are still around. I haven't thought about them a lot.

And it CERTAINLY wants to create an image of being cool.

That is what this add is designed to do.

Basically, they are just showing off - but that will make some people think, Honda is a cool company, not like Oldsmobile, or staid like Cadilac.

This is a very effective commercial.

Re:What is it meant to say about the cars?

[Anonymous Coward]

So let me get this straight. You refuse to buy a car because the commercial didn't feature CGI? Idiot.

Re:What is it meant to say about the cars?

[mosch]

If you were put off a brand by an advertisement that was so successful in attracting viewers that it's now available on dozens of mirror sites, that's not a concern to Honda. The fact that they did it without computer graphics is what makes this ad special, interesting and worthwhile.

The fact of the matter is that this ad is sufficiently unique to entice people to voluntarily view it, and that's a rarity in this day and age. After all, I normally skip commercials with my PVR, yet I and tens of thousands of other people just watched a 2 minute car commercial, voluntarily.