As an undergraduate, like many, I regularly explored the concept of a playful mindset resistant to the status quo. Instead of settling for pedestrian or traditional satisfaction, the supported philosophy challenged and encouraged pursuing energy, excitement and adventure.

Of course, such attitudes are plentiful among the youthful. But in at least one academic project I developed the concept further, producing a basic :30 television spot for an American muscle car. I remember the project as having performed well in class.

Why I’m reminded of that episode now, some 30 years later, I’m unsure. But I reproduce the copy here, believing there’s far more included within the advertisement than just a plug for a sports car.

:30 TV

FADE IN:

XLS: SWEEPING ALPINE MOUNTAIN ROAD – CLEAR SKY – DAY
A black sports car of European manufacture SILENTLY speeds along the sweeping two-lane road, coursing through the turns without slowing.

FADE TO:

BLACK

FADE TO:

XLS: CURVY MOUNTAIN VALLEY ROAD – STORM ON HORIZON – DAY
A Rocky Mountain nature scene with a clear-running BURBLING stream and twisty blacktop. Far away a low RUMBLE begins to sound.

FADE TO:

BLACK

FADE TO:

EXT. THE SWEEPING ALPINE MOUNTAIN ROAD
The black sports car continues speeding along the sweeping two-lane road, coursing through the turns without slowing. SILKEN ENGINE NOTES arise audibly as the car approaches.

FADE TO:

BLACK

FADE TO:

EXT. THE CURVEY MOUNTAIN VALLEY ROAD
Birds CHIRP within the serene Rocky Mountain scene. The stream BURBLES. A forceful RUMBLE becomes louder.

FADE TO:

BLACK

FADE TO:

EXT. THE SWEEPING ALPINE MOUNTAIN ROAD
The black sports car speeds along the sweeping road, its SILKEN ENGINE NOTES more pronounced. A TRADITIONAL WALTZ begins to play.

FADE TO:

BLACK

FADE TO:

EXT. THE CURVEY MOUNTAIN ROAD
Birds CHIRP within the serene Rocky Mountain scene. The stream BURBLES. A forceful but distant RUMBLE becomes louder. ROCK MUSIC begins to play.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE SWEEPING ALPINE MOUNTAIN ROAD
The black sports car speeds along the road. SILKEN ENGINE NOTES fade as TRADITIONAL WALTZ MUSIC becomes prominent.

CUT TO:

EXT. THE CURVEY MOUNTAIN VALLEY ROAD
A red coupe of Amerian manufacture appears from around a bend. The RUMBLE fades as ROCK MUSIC becomes prominent.

CUT TO:

CU: BLACK CAR ON THE ALPINE ROAD
WALTZ MUSIC plays.

CUT TO:

CU: RED COUPE ON MOUNTAIN VALLEY ROAD
ROCK MUSIC plays.

CUT TO:

CU: BLACK CAR ON ALPINE ROAD
WALTZ MUSIC plays.

CUT TO:

CU: RED COUPE ON MOUNTAIN VALLEY ROAD
ROCK MUSIC plays.

CUT TO:

INT. BLACK CAR
DRIVER 1, a late-forties, well-groomed male sporting tailored clothing and an ostentatious wristwatch drives studiously, both hands on the wheel. WALTZ MUSIC plays. 

CUT TO:

INT. RED COUPE
DRIVER 2, a mid-thirties male with a healthy five o’clock shadow, blue jeans, faded red T-shirt and a black leather jacket drives, one hand on the wheel, the other on the coupe’s manual shifter. ROCK MUSIC plays.

The man smiles.

CUT TO:

EXT. RED COUPE
ROCK MUSIC fades, revealing engine RUMBLE.

PROVOCATIVE FEMALE VOICE (VO)

The 2019 Acme Propel.

(beat)

Why waltz when you can rock and roll?

FADE TO:

BLACK