Western Union - Brothers (2014)

Brothers, a new spot by commercial director Nickolas Duarte for Western Union, is an experiential piece capturing a slice of life between two young brothers...and their flat soccer ball.

The spot was shot to engage viewers through the raw experience of the two boys and show the value of connection. Although it is a narrative piece, it incorporates a great deal of documentary elements to deliver on the raw and authentic connection. This is seen in everything from purely improvised scenes to moments where the kids actually look and acknowledge the camera. This approach was especially useful in working with non-actors, which the two young leads were.

Shooting was completely hand held to free the frame and embrace the doc-style approach. The DP and director did not work with a shotlist, but instead came up with a list of “visual rules” to keep a consistent look and tone. They stayed on mostly wider focal lengths to give a more realistic look, with Cooke miniS4 lenses being utilized for the warmth and handling of skin tones, and shot in a 2.40 aspect ratio to ensure the film maintained a cinematic quality despite all the rawer doc influences.

Starring:
Tomas Tovar
Anthony Lobato Jr
Patricia Johnson
Luis Pimber
Director: Nickolas Duarte

Production Company: Riotmaker, Crown Chimp Productions

EPs: Nick Costello, Harrison Roberts

Writers: Nickolas Duarte, Drew Grubich
Field Producer: Rosie Zwaduk

1st AD: Thijs Boonen

Director of Photography: Wey Wang
1st AC: Peter Brunet
Gaffer: Oscar Rivera
Production Design: Adam Ray, Jessica Van Ravenswaay

Make Up: Sonia Campbell 

Location Audio: Mike Clark

Production Assistanst: Frank Armendarez, Jackie Stubbs, Art Wallace

Editors: Nickolas Duarte, Harrison Roberts

Original Music: Daniel Vildosola

Colorist: Harrison Roberts

Camera: Red Epic

Lenses: Cooke S4i

Production/Post: Tucson, AZ

NLE: Adobe Premiere Pro CC