It's not every day you get to direct a plane... Alaska Airlines teamed up with Disney to create the 5th plane in its livery with a dedicated Disney Theme. This one was stunning, featuring the characters of the CARS movies, and was celebrating the huge success of Cars Land just the year before. What made this event so special, was that Alaska Airlines and Disney were working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make some families dreams come true by being able to bring their children to Cars Land.
The challenge in this event was not having the ability to have the "car stars" of the films be there "in person", since our event took place inside Seattle at the Airport. So, I created a video that had Mater from Cars Land "reporting" on the new plane's arrival to the terminal, and interacting with our host. Eventually, it was Mater who invited all the kids and their families to board the plane and come visit him in California.
I wrote the script and directed Larry the Cable Guy, who was simply wonderful, especially when he heard he was creating the video for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We even did some dialogue from Mater to by played "in flight" so he could continue his rapport with the families as they made their journey from Washington to California.
I have to admit, this was the first time I directed a plane. I actually had the pilot of the 747 on the line via cell phone, while I directed the live event, as we had no true idea of when the speaker would cue the plane's arrival. It was the oddest feeling, telling the pilot "a little closer, little more... stop" and watching this massive plane creep up to the gate as directed. Finally, when the speaker announced the plane, I signaled the pilots and they came cruising into the gate, just as the streamers went off, all while we jammed to "Route 66". The kids and their families had their eager faces pressed against the window as they saw jet, painted beautifully with Mater, McQueen, Sally and Luigi, glide gracefully, and on cue, up to the gate. The co-pilot opened his window, and waved to the kids, proudly wearing the Cars Land Mickey ears we'd given him.
The crew at Alaska, Disney and Make-A-Wish were nothing short of spectacular, making this day one that neither I, nor the children and families we sent to Disneyland, will ever forget.
ALASKA AIRLINES / DISNEY / MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION
Date: October, 2013
Responsibilities: Creative Direction, Event Direction, Script Writing, Voice Over Direction, Video Direction, Music Supervision