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outpost.com “Band” 1999

outpost.com “Band” (1999) is an outpost.com commercial directed by John OÕHagan for Cliff Freeman & Partners, produced by Hungry Man. It won 3 awards, including Cannes Lions 1999 Film Gold, D&AD 1999 Wood Pencil — TV & Cinema Advertising / Television Commercials up to 30 seconds and ANDY Awards 1999 Distinction — Television.

An executive explains how Outpost.com used a high school marching band and then released wolves on them to create a memorable ad.

Video: John O'Hagan on Vimeo

Shot by shot

  1. A senior man in a suit sits in a leather armchair, speaking directly to the camera in a dimly lit, traditional study.© outpost.com0:00
  2. A large group of people in red shirts form the words "OUTPOST.COM" on a green football field, casting long shadows in the afternoon sun.© outpost.com0:06
  3. A marching band in red and black uniforms plays instruments and marches across a grassy field during the day.© outpost.com0:07
  4. A marching band in red uniforms forms the word "OUTPOST.COM" on a green football field under a bright sky.© outpost.com0:09
  5. An older man in a suit sits in a leather armchair, speaking directly to the camera in a dimly lit, opulent room.© outpost.com0:10
  6. A cat's silhouette is visible in the foreground, watching a marching band on a football field on a TV screen.© outpost.com0:13
  7. A marching band plays instruments on a sunny day in a stadium, with a trumpet player and a tuba player in the foreground.© outpost.com0:14
  8. An aerial shot shows a marching band forming the word "DUMMIES" on a green football field under bright sunlight.© outpost.com0:16
  9. A coyote attacks a marching band member in a red and black uniform, pulling them to the ground on a grassy field during the day.© outpost.com0:20
  10. A German Shepherd attacks a marching band member in a red uniform, as other band members flee in panic on a grassy field.© outpost.com0:22
  11. A German Shepherd dog attacks a marching band member in a red uniform on a grassy field, as other band members run in the background.© outpost.com0:22
  12. An older man in a suit sits in a leather armchair, smiling and laughing, as he watches a dog attack a marching band member on a TV screen in a wood-paneled room.© outpost.com0:23

Stills © outpost.com. Made by Cliff Freeman & Partners, Hungry Man and John OÕHagan.

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

The idea

Shocking, absurd violence for memorability, then a twist ending.

Tagline: “The place to buy computer stuff online.”

deadpan deliverycorporate absurdityanimal attackmeta-advertisingdark humor

The cut

Length
30 s
Shots
13
Average shot
2.3 s

What creatives use outpost.com “Band” for

  1. 01Reference frames for your treatment

    Pitching something with the feel of outpost.com “Band”? 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 senior man in a suit sits in a leather armchair, speaking directly to the camera in a dimly lit, traditional study.© outpost.comA large group of people in red shirts form the words "OUTPOST.COM" on a green football field, casting long shadows in the afternoon sun.© outpost.comA marching band in red and black uniforms plays instruments and marches across a grassy field during the day.© outpost.comA marching band in red uniforms forms the word "OUTPOST.COM" on a green football field under a bright sky.© outpost.com
    Frames from outpost.com “Band”

  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 outpost.com “Band” in order, with its length, framing and what happens in it.

    A senior man in a suit sits in a leather armchair, speaking directly to the camera in a dimly lit, traditional study.© outpost.comA large group of people in red shirts form the words "OUTPOST.COM" on a green football field, casting long shadows in the afternoon sun.© outpost.comA marching band in red and black uniforms plays instruments and marches across a grassy field during the day.© outpost.comA marching band in red uniforms forms the word "OUTPOST.COM" on a green football field under a bright sky.© outpost.comAn older man in a suit sits in a leather armchair, speaking directly to the camera in a dimly lit, opulent room.© outpost.comA cat's silhouette is visible in the foreground, watching a marching band on a football field on a TV screen.© outpost.com
    Length: 30 s · Shots: 13 · Average shot: 2.3 s

  3. 03Ad ideas: every spot built on a deadpan delivery

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

    outpost.com “Band” is built on a deadpan delivery. Search the library by idea to see every spot that uses it.

    Uber Eats + Special US “Football is for Food”© Uber Eats + Special UStruth “Depression Stick”© truthFox Sports Net “China”© Fox Sports NetFleurop “Sorry”© Fleurop
    Uber Eats + Special US · truth · Fox Sports Net · Fleurop

More commercials by John OÕHagan

  • outpost.com "Cannon" (1999) commercial still© outpost.comoutpost.com “Cannon” 1999Dir. John OÕHagan · Brian MulhernD&AD Yellow Pencil 1999

More from Cliff Freeman & Partners

  • Fox Sports Net "China" (2001) commercial still© Fox Sports NetFox Sports Net “China” 2001Dir. Traktor · Cliff Freeman & PartnersCannes Lions Grand Prix 2001
  • Fox Sports "Lightning" (2002) commercial still© Fox SportsFox Sports “Lightning” 2002Dir. Baker Smith · Cliff Freeman & PartnersDGA Awards 2002
  • Mike's Hard Lemonade "Hard Day" (2002) commercial still© Mike's Hard LemonadeMike's Hard Lemonade “Hard Day” 2002Cliff Freeman & PartnersEffie Awards Gold 2002
  • Budget "Aromatherapy" (2000) commercial still© BudgetBudget “Aromatherapy” 2000Dir. Dante Ariola · Cliff Freeman & PartnersCannes Lions Gold 2000
  • Hollywood Video "Don" (1999) commercial still© Hollywood VideoHollywood Video “Don” 1999Dir. Baker Smith · Cliff Freeman & PartnersCannes Lions Gold 1999
  • Fox "Squash" (1998) commercial still© FoxFox “Squash” 1998Cliff Freeman & PartnersCannes Lions Gold 1998

Award-winning tech commercials

Questions

Who directed the outpost.com “Band” commercial?

John OÕHagan directed it, produced by Hungry Man, for the agency Cliff Freeman & Partners.

Which agency made outpost.com “Band”?

Cliff Freeman & Partners created it for outpost.com (1999).

What awards did outpost.com “Band” win?

3 awards, including Cannes Lions 1999 Film Gold, D&AD 1999 Wood Pencil — TV & Cinema Advertising / Television Commercials up to 30 seconds and ANDY Awards 1999 Distinction — Television.

What is the tagline of outpost.com “Band”?

“The place to buy computer stuff online.”

Sources for the credits and awards

dandad.orgweb.archive.orgweb.archive.org