Bassmasters – "Can't Hear You" and "Have Some Fun."

Director: Paul Van Wart

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Click to watch "Can't Hear You" and "Have Some Fun."

Director of Photography: Anton Klima

Editor: Andy Schrader

Copywriter: Joel Stacy

Agency: Colle McVoy

Production Company: Werk Brothers Media

Time from concept to completion: 2 months

Why this script/concept? How does it reflect your vision as a commercial director?

Talking animals? That don't actually talk? And when they do speak, they argue about which language they might be speaking. It is the perfect approach to post modern irony.

What was the casting process like?

Tough -- you can post on the web breakdowns, and call agents, but rarely do talking squirrels and bobcats actually show up at the casting session.

How did you search for/lock a location?

We actually used Lake Castaic, which is on the Bassmasters Elite fishing tour. So it was drop kick. Because it's under the jurisdiction of LA Country Parks and Rec, it is expensive. If we'd have shot this in Minneapolis, the location might have cost $250. Here in the Land of Cinema, it was almost ten times that amount.

How did you select your DP, crew?

Having previously worked with everybody previously on spots and promos, I leaned on them for the low, low almost free rate.

How did shooting go? Any challenges?

The porcupine can get a bit prick-illy, and the duck -- forgetaboutit. They are natural prima donnas. But they make nice comforters, though.

Tell us about editing and finishing.

Straight forward edit on Avid. No effects in this one. Color corrected via digital files and Apple Color via Cinelicious in Los Angeles. Mike Farnan at Deserati Media designed the sound and mixed the final to picture.

In retrospect, is there anything you would have done differently?

Maybe would have liked a longer dolly shot on the open, but it was tough to build the track in two feet of water....