In Hemingford, Nebraska there is a wonderful pizza place called Village Pizza. An old radio friend and I had lunch there a month or two ago and I was impressed with their supreme pie. Sampling the product always stimulates the creative process. At least when the product is edible or potable (know your Word Power®).
I wrote and produced two commercials for Village Pizza (I’ve written quite a few “straight” spots for them but this time I tried a couple of different angles.)
The first commercial was written in Olivia Newton-Boss’ voice and she recorded it. The script references common pet peeves of Hemingforders (Hemingfordites?) like the way the town’s name is pronounced and the legendary absconding of the courthouse. I like adding local color when I can because local, in every possible form, is what makes us unique and connects us to the community. Our community…connected. (To coin a phrase.)
I also wrote a Halloween commercial. Every year there are certain times when you have to do “same but different.” There are only so many Halloween scenarios, so you try to approach them from a new angle. I’ve written a Bloedorn Lumber commercial (featuring the radiant Bob S. Bestos) that involves a haunted house but does not take the listener inside it. “Same, but different.”
For my “same but different” Village Pizza Halloween spot I recruited the voices of Joel Shorman and Rachel Fox. It’s a ghost story with a terrifying ending, and I get to do one of my three voices.
If you’re in Hemingford, give Village Pizza a try. It’s legit! (Being a New York state native, I am allowed to offer my comments on pizza.)