NY-based Sonic Union mixer Michael Marinelli along with Furlined director Ted Pauly induct infamous Dallas Cowboys fumbler Leon Lett into the Hall of Redemption in the humorous new web film, “The Man Who Played Literally Hungry” for Snickers out of BBDO, Worldwide. The web film recounts Lett’s infamous play at the 1993 Thanksgiving Classic vs. the Miami Dolphins and blames its outcome on his literal interpretation of the coach’s advice to “play hungry.” The web film is part of a web series at NFL.com/snickers, with traffic driven from :15 and :30 promos that allow the viewer to click directly through to the site. The campaign also features a Facebook push to gather 25,000 “likes” to signify forgiveness for Leon. If the Facebook campaign reaches its 25K milestone, Snickers will honor Lett at this year’s Dallas vs. Miami Thanksgiving rematch.
“The Man Who Played Literally Hungry” opens on Leon Lett dressed in a suit, entering a building with a shabby sign outside reading, “Hall of Redemption. Today: Leon Lett.” In “Chapter One: The Moment,” we recount Letts’ notorious blunder when he attempted to recover the ball at a crucial moment while the rest of the team was wisely avoiding the ball in order to run the clock in their next play. This impulsive move ended up costing the Cowboys the game. A voiceover states, “Defensive tackle Leon Lett was the target of tough criticism, of media and fans alike. But our investigation is about to reveal the famous blunder was not entirely his fault. Because when told to play hungry, Leon Lett may have instead played literally hungry.”
In “Chapter Two: Pre-Game” we hear from former Dallas Cowboys teammates and coaches who recount their interpretations of “play hungry”. One player recalls the term to mean, “Play hard or give it all you got,” while a former coach reminisces on Lett’s giant stash of Snickers bars that he would pull from for an energizing pre-game snack. Lett’s former doctor uses concrete evidence in the form of an X-ray to prove Lett had literally chosen to play the game that day on an empty stomach, also calling to attention a Buffalo Nickel in his Gallbladder.
“Chapter Three: The Game” Letts recalls his mindset on that day, remembering, “I was so hungry I couldn’t see straight. But the stuff I could see was crazy: Leprechauns, dancing miniature donkeys.” One former teammate reveals his secret Snickers snack from a hidden cleat chamber, wishing he had been able to help relieve Lett’s hunger pains on that infamous Fall 1993 day. A Shattuck University sophomore isolates Lett’s audio from the game to reveal his audible cries of hunger as he made the historic fumble on that cold Thanksgiving Day. Lett recalls, “ I actually thought the ball was a Snickers and that inside I would find delicious peanuts, nougat and caramel. But instead, I found 18 years of shame.”
The story comes to a close with “Chapter Four: Redemption” as we hear stories of the horrific aftermath of the game, including the shame of his own grandmother, only now rectified with this newly surfaced evidence. As Lett’s photo is placed on the “Hall of Redemption” wall, we hear a voiceover, “And so it seems that for 18 years, Leon Lett’s otherwise brilliant career has been unfairly tainted by the events of that fateful play. But today, the overwhelming evidence has given him a taste of redemption.” He accepts the award, stating, “I’m telling you people, you’ve got to play hungry, but not literally hungry,” and then takes a bite from a newly opened Snickers bar. The web film closes with the super, “Play Hungry. But not Literally Hungry. Snickers satisfies.”

ABOUT SONIC UNION

Sonic Union, New York was a concept born in 2008 between lauded mixers Michael Marinelli and Steve Rosen, and Managing Director Adam Barone. The team set out to create the finest audio shop in New York, while also maintaining a family-like feel in a location that reflected—and supported—client comfort, natural light and the artists’ unwavering love of the craft. Three years later, Sonic Union’s work has won top awards, their employees and clients play together after work, and its architecturally significant space overlooking the trees of Union Square has become a home-away-from-home for everyone who mixes there.

Sonic Union continues to evolve, pulling in on-staff, veteran voiceover casting director, Maria Pappalardo, and expanding its motion graphics and VFX capabilities. Come in and check out the state of our Union…

Credits:

Client: Snickers

Titles: “The Man Who Played Literally Hungry” Trailer :60, “Koi Pond” :30/:15, “Gameday” :30/:15, “The Man Who Played Literally Hungry” 5:24

Airdate: Currently Airing

Agency: BBDO, Worldwide

Creative Group Head: Peter Kain, Gianfranco Arena

Producer: Hyatt Choate

Copywriter: Alex Taylor

Art Director: Jason Stefanik

BBDO Music Producer: Rani Vaz

Account Person: Phil Brolly

Production Company: Furlined, Santa Monica, CA

Director: Ted Pauly

DP: Jaron Presant

Editorial: PS260, New York

Editor: JJ Lask

VFX: Brand Name, New York

Audio Post: Sonic Union

Mixer: Michael Marinelli

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