Venice, CA/NYC-based production hub HēLō director Jeff Tremaine sets up hidden cameras in a Toys “R” Us to joke and tease kids of all ages in the comical 3:20 “Capture Evil Unleash Prank” for Activision’s Skylanders Trap Team video game out of 72andSunny, Los Angeles. The video features funnyman Adam Carolla’s voice seemingly trapped inside a Skylanders character toy positioned in a Toys “R” Us to amuse kids and their parents. Tremaine reeled back his go-to level of ‘Jackass’ antics to tailor this prank to the youthful audience, achieving a moment of menacing mischief that still was fun for the kids and viewers alike.
“Capture Evil Unleash Prank” opens on Tremaine describing the prank, “We’re at Toys ‘R’ Us setting up for a hidden camera shoot for the new Skylanders Trap Team. We’ve got a camera here, here, here.” A voiceover then explains, “So we got Adam Carolla to be the bad guy. And this is what happened.” We see hilariously surprised kids approach the toy with Carolla chirping “Nice hair” to a kid with long curly hair, “I’m a bad guy and I can tell you’re a bad guy too” to another laughing kid. Everyone looks convinced this toy is really talking to them and really this witty, making for thoroughly amusing reactions from all; including the kids’ parents.
Tremaine pulled off a similar stunt using ‘real people’ in the Super Bowl 2014, Cannes Lion-winning “Up For Whatever” for Bud Light.
Credits:
Client: Activision
Game: Skylanders Trap Team
Title: “Capture Evil Unleash Prank,” 3:20
Agency: 72andSunny, Los Angeles
Partner/CCO: Glenn Cole
Executive Creative Director: Frank Hahn
Creative Director/Writer: Tim Wolfe
Creative Director: Michael Bryce
Senior Designer: Travis Swingler
Junior Writer: Taylor Black
Junior Designer: My Tran Dang
Director of Film Production: Sam Baerwald
Agency Executive Producer: Dan Ruth
Agency Producer: Jeff Yee
Group Brand Director: Mike Parseghlan
Senior Brand Manager: Torie Bleicher
Brand Manager: Tashi Oszvald
Brand Coordinator: Eric Goitia
Group Strategy Director: Bryan Smith
Strategy Director: John Graham
Senior Strategist: Daniel Teng
Production Company: HēLō
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Executive Producer: Justin Moore-Lewy
Managing Director: Brendan Kiernan
Producer: Tina Nakane
DP: Simon Thirlaway
Editor: Jason Lewis
Post Producer: Benjamin Bragg
About HēLō
Venice, CA/NYC-based HēLō was started in 2013 with one simple vision: to create experiences, not interruptions.
In a digital age, there is no longer differentiation between consumers and audiences; they are one and the same. This is why we didn’t set out to be merely another production company. We are experience providers, problem solvers, storytellers and nimble content creators. Our principals have done everything from run a Digital Agency to heading up a Talent Management Firm. That, combined with our meticulously selected group of HēLō talent, provide fertile ground to meet the challenges of today’s increasingly integrated entertainment and advertising markets.
Everyone on our roster is an original voice and innovator in new formats and distribution channels. Some are downright pioneers.