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Ford “Human Car” 2008

Ford “Human Car” (2008) is a Ford commercial directed by Jorn Threlfall for Y&R, produced by Blink Pictures. It won one award: LIA 2008 Silver — TV/Cinema / Automotive.

A group of dancers in bodysuits form a human car, symbolizing that Ford cars are powered by people and their ideas.

Video: Jörn Threlfall on Vimeo

Shot by shot

  1. A woman with dark hair smiles, her face illuminated by a soft light, in a dark, indistinct interior setting.© Ford0:02
  2. A group of dancers in grey bodysuits perform synchronized movements on a dark stage, creating a dynamic and fluid visual.© Ford0:14
  3. A woman in a dark grey bodysuit strains forward, part of a group forming a car shape, in a dark studio.© Ford0:20
  4. Several people in dark bodysuits assemble a car wheel, with hands and feet visible against a dark background.© Ford0:30
  5. A group of people in grey bodysuits are seen in a kaleidoscope-like reflection, forming a car wheel, in a dark studio.© Ford0:36
  6. A group of people in grey bodysuits are lying down, then begin to move and stretch, forming a car-like shape in a dark, undefined space.© Ford0:45
  7. A car made of people fades into a bright light, as many small photos of diverse people float and fill the screen.© Ford0:55
  8. A collage of diverse faces forms a brain shape, then dissolves into a white background with the Ford logo and tagline.© Ford0:57

Stills © Ford. Made by Y&R, Blink Pictures and Jorn Threlfall.

Every shot, full-quality frames and clips, and search across every commercial. Free account.

The idea

Human bodies forming a car to represent human-powered innovation.

Tagline: “powered by you”

human sculpturebody artmetaphorical representationdark stage performancekaleidoscope effecttransformative movement

The cut

Length
60 s
Shots
29
Average shot
2.1 s

What creatives use Ford “Human Car” for

  1. 01Reference frames for your treatment

    Pitching something with the feel of Ford “Human Car”? A screenshot from a video player won't hold up in a deck.

    Download any frame of this spot at full quality, with its credits, or search every spot for the same look.

    A woman with dark hair smiles, her face illuminated by a soft light, in a dark, indistinct interior setting.© FordA group of dancers in grey bodysuits perform synchronized movements on a dark stage, creating a dynamic and fluid visual.© FordA woman in a dark grey bodysuit strains forward, part of a group forming a car shape, in a dark studio.© FordSeveral people in dark bodysuits assemble a car wheel, with hands and feet visible against a dark background.© Ford
    Frames from Ford “Human Car”

  2. 02Shot list example: how it was cut

    You need the structure of a great spot, shot by shot, for your storyboard.

    Every shot of Ford “Human Car” in order, with its length, framing and what happens in it.

    A woman with dark hair smiles, her face illuminated by a soft light, in a dark, indistinct interior setting.© FordA group of dancers in grey bodysuits perform synchronized movements on a dark stage, creating a dynamic and fluid visual.© FordA woman in a dark grey bodysuit strains forward, part of a group forming a car shape, in a dark studio.© FordSeveral people in dark bodysuits assemble a car wheel, with hands and feet visible against a dark background.© FordA group of people in grey bodysuits are seen in a kaleidoscope-like reflection, forming a car wheel, in a dark studio.© FordA group of people in grey bodysuits are lying down, then begin to move and stretch, forming a car-like shape in a dark, undefined space.© Ford
    Length: 60 s · Shots: 29 · Average shot: 2.1 s

  3. 03Ad ideas: every spot built on a metaphorical representation

    Before you present an idea, you need to know who has done it, and how.

    Ford “Human Car” is built on a metaphorical representation. Search the library by idea to see every spot that uses it.

    Smirnoff “We Do Atomic”© SmirnoffNon violence project “Virus”© Non violence projectKwiff “Bedlam”© KwiffBanff Centre for Arts and Creativity “Piano”© Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
    Smirnoff · Non violence project · Kwiff · Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

More from Y&R

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  • Narcan "Who Is Your World" (2024) commercial still© NarcanNarcan “Who Is Your World” 2024Dir. Marek Partys · Y&RClio Awards Gold 2024
  • BBC Sport "The Fearless Are Here" (2018) commercial still© BBC SportBBC Sport “The Fearless Are Here” 2018Dir. Smith & Foulkes · Y&RKinsale Sharks Gold 2018
  • Virgin Atlantic "Flying in the Face of Ordinary" (2013) commercial still© Virgin AtlanticVirgin Atlantic “Flying in the Face of Ordinary” 2013Dir. Antoine Bardou · Y&REpica Gold 2013
  • LG OLED TV "Thief" (2012) commercial still© LG OLED TVLG OLED TV “Thief” 2012Dir. Hans Knaapen · Y&RClio Awards Gold 2012
  • BBC Local Radio "Local Radio" (2011) commercial still© BBC Local RadioBBC Local Radio “Local Radio” 2011Dir. Olly Blackburn · Y&RD&AD Yellow Pencil 2011

Award-winning auto commercials

Questions

Who directed the Ford “Human Car” commercial?

Jorn Threlfall directed it, produced by Blink Pictures, for the agency Y&R.

Which agency made Ford “Human Car”?

Y&R created it for Ford (2008).

What awards did Ford “Human Car” win?

1 awards, including LIA 2008 Silver — TV/Cinema / Automotive.

What is the tagline of Ford “Human Car”?

“powered by you”

Sources for the credits and awards

web.archive.org