TV: Oneiric Accord Advert

You may have seen the new Honda Accord advertisement on television now (if not – have a look at the Macromedia Shockwave versions for 56k, 100k or 300k connections or the Quicktime version) – but were you aware that the advert is “real” (hence not computer generated as you’d expect nowadays), and that it took 606 takes to get right?

It’s a fascinating two minute long advert for the new Accord car and I’ve watched it dozens of times already (at least 6 times tonight) as it’s just amazing – from the counterbalanced tyres going up hill, to the way everything just interacts perfectly. If only I had a complete drivers licence and money I’d probably go out an buy the new Honda Accord because the advert is so good (at least Honda are getting lots of mentions for the new Accord because of it – there’s two threads on Metafilter about it).

According to what I’ve read about the advert, the music in the background near the end is “Rapper’s Delight” by “Grand Master Flash and the Sugar Hill Gang” and is probably based on the 30minute long 1987 French short film “The Way Things Go (Der Lauf Der Dinge)” by Peter Fischli and David Weiss amazoncom:B00005UW7W which also shows items moving in a domino effect – one thing “topples” another, which causes the next to move etc etc. But like many others, when I first saw the advert I was reminded of a childhood game called Mousetrap amazoncom:B00000DMFD where you used to set up the pieces and then turn the first wheel to start the trap going – I don’t think myself and my sisters actually played the game properly, but we got plenty of enjoyment just making it “work”.

Like Ext:Circ, I’ve also ordered (from Honda) a free copy of the DVD which includes a documentary, music video and illustrated guide to how it was made (you can fill out the form on Honda’s site or call 0845 200 8000 if you want one yourself) – but if you aren’t UK based, watch the advert anyway, it’s amazing!

PS: “Oneiric” means “Of, pertaining to, or suggestive of dreams; dreamy” which is certainly one way of describing this advert!