Morrocan TVC made in Manila via NY

When most Filipino advertising agencies look out for foreign directors to shoot their next hair commercial ,Young &Rubicam New York did the opposite. They chose me to direct their next Palmolive spot for North Africa.

Realizing that hair commercials is an art and science in Asia , Y&R New York's top creative Josephine Maggiore and producer Heidi Baltzer chose ...to shoot in Manila! After looking at several shampoo reels from Asian directors, and through the recommendations of Y&R's Global Creative director Jacques Borres and Global executive Producer Olivier Gauriat , they've chosen Manila as the location, Unitel as the production house and Mark Meily (...that's me) as director to work with for a Shampoo commercial for Colgate-Palmolive Morocco.

The story takes place in a traditional Moroccan gathering place called where three women chatting suddenly stop when they see a woman with the most beautiful hair. Butch Garcia, the production designer researched on how traditonal Moroccan gathering places look like as well as the wardrobe used in and out of these places.

It was the United Nations in Unitel's Studio C and Museo ng Maynila's driveway as literally 5 languages were spoken on the set. English of course was working language with the agency as I gave my directions to the Moroccan talents in French who in turn spoke Arabic in story's dialogue. Khun Sopa ,the hairstylist, and Khun Thom, the cinematographer conversed in Thai.Unfortunately, Pricilla Mereilles (Ms.Earth-Brazil) was the lone Portuguese speaker in the house while everyone else spoke Philippin.

It was a fun shoot for two days and a great experience teleconferencing at midnight to sync with New York time.Next stop- Hong Kong for the final post production.

-Amenicman