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HBO “Chimps” 1996

HBO “Chimps” (1996) is a HBO commercial directed by Joe Pytka for BBDO, produced by PYTKA. It won 5 awards, including Clio 1997 Gold — Television/Cinema / Media Promotion, Cannes Lions 1997 Film Silver and AICP 1997 Honoree Advertising Excellence / Single Commercial.

Chimpanzees in the Gombe Preserve are shown with human voices from famous movie quotes, implying they are watching HBO, culminating in a reveal that Dr. Jane Goodall is an HBO viewer.

Video: PYTKA on Vimeo

Shot by shot

  1. A wide shot of silhouetted acacia trees against a vibrant sky at dawn in The Gombe Preserve.© HBO0:00
  2. A chimpanzee swings through the lush green canopy of a dense jungle, with mountains visible in the background.© HBO0:02
  3. A young chimpanzee hangs from a tree branch, swinging its body in a lush green jungle environment.© HBO0:03
  4. A chimpanzee sits on the forest floor, surrounded by green foliage and brown leaves, looking around.© HBO0:05
  5. A chimpanzee with dark fur and a light face sits on the ground, looking directly at the camera in a jungle setting.© HBO0:06
  6. A chimpanzee with dark fur and a thoughtful expression sits among green foliage, looking directly at the camera before turning its head to the side.© HBO0:08
  7. A chimpanzee with dark fur and a lighter face looks down, then slowly raises its head to look directly at the camera in a natural, outdoor setting.© HBO0:15
  8. A young chimpanzee hangs from a tree branch, looking directly at the camera amidst lush green jungle foliage.© HBO0:19
  9. Two chimpanzees, one larger and one smaller, are close together, with the larger one appearing to whisper to the smaller one in a natural outdoor setting.© HBO0:27
  10. Three chimpanzees, two adults and one baby, are sitting on the ground in a lush green jungle, looking around.© HBO0:30
  11. A group of chimpanzees are sitting on the ground in a jungle, some holding sticks, as if playing a game.© HBO0:33
  12. A chimpanzee with dark fur and a light face is seen in a tree, looking directly at the camera with its mouth open, surrounded by green leaves.© HBO0:34

Stills © HBO. Made by BBDO, PYTKA and Joe Pytka.

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

The idea

Chimpanzees 'speak' famous movie lines, revealing their secret HBO viewership.

Tagline: “Dr. Jane Goodall, HBO viewer since 1978.”

animals with human voicesfamous movie quotesunexpected celebrity endorsementnature documentary styletwist endinganthropomorphism

The cut

Length
53 s
Shots
23
Average shot
2.3 s

What creatives use HBO “Chimps” for

  1. 01Reference frames for your treatment

    Pitching something with the feel of HBO “Chimps”? 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 wide shot of silhouetted acacia trees against a vibrant sky at dawn in The Gombe Preserve.© HBOA chimpanzee swings through the lush green canopy of a dense jungle, with mountains visible in the background.© HBOA young chimpanzee hangs from a tree branch, swinging its body in a lush green jungle environment.© HBOA chimpanzee sits on the forest floor, surrounded by green foliage and brown leaves, looking around.© HBO
    Frames from HBO “Chimps”

  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 HBO “Chimps” in order, with its length, framing and what happens in it.

    A wide shot of silhouetted acacia trees against a vibrant sky at dawn in The Gombe Preserve.© HBOA chimpanzee swings through the lush green canopy of a dense jungle, with mountains visible in the background.© HBOA young chimpanzee hangs from a tree branch, swinging its body in a lush green jungle environment.© HBOA chimpanzee sits on the forest floor, surrounded by green foliage and brown leaves, looking around.© HBOA chimpanzee with dark fur and a light face sits on the ground, looking directly at the camera in a jungle setting.© HBOA chimpanzee with dark fur and a thoughtful expression sits among green foliage, looking directly at the camera before turning its head to the side.© HBO
    Length: 53 s · Shots: 23 · Average shot: 2.3 s

  3. 03Ad ideas: every spot built on a nature documentary style

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

    HBO “Chimps” is built on a nature documentary style. Search the library by idea to see every spot that uses it.

    Bornfree “GEORG – Born to be the last”© BornfreeBBC “Narrated By Kids”© BBCSimplot Australia “John West - The Cub”© Simplot AustraliaDomino's “Domino's - Hedgehog”© Domino's
    Bornfree · BBC · Simplot Australia · Domino's

More commercials by Joe Pytka

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Award-winning media & entertainment commercials

Questions

Who directed the HBO “Chimps” commercial?

Joe Pytka directed it, produced by PYTKA, for the agency BBDO.

Which agency made HBO “Chimps”?

BBDO created it for HBO (1996).

What awards did HBO “Chimps” win?

5 awards, including Clio 1997 Gold — Television/Cinema / Media Promotion, Cannes Lions 1997 Film Silver, AICP 1997 Honoree Advertising Excellence / Single Commercial and AICP Show 1997 Honoree Advertising Excellence.

What is the tagline of HBO “Chimps”?

“Dr. Jane Goodall, HBO viewer since 1978.”

Sources for the credits and awards

en.wikipedia.orgen.wikipedia.orgpytka.comaicpawards.comweb.archive.orgweb.archive.org