Created as a final project for film school, a British Columbian film student by the name of Anthony Bortolussi has put together an amazing Xbox720 ad that Microsoft should be begging for. Sure the video itself doesn’t actually advertise the Xbox or any of its games and peripherals, as it’s actually just a fun short. Never-the-less it captures the spirit of video gaming brilliantly, while being funny, Geeky, and filled with beautiful women. Can anyone truly ask for more in an online short film?

 

 

Sure to turn a few heads and spark a few comments about whether or not this really is an Xbox720 ad, Bortolussi has directed and produced a quality piece of work. With this video, he completes a 4-year film production program and definitely earns that bachelor of arts in motion picture production. Bortolussi originally came up with this idea for a “filmmercial” from the desire to film a scene of a man being chased by a helicopter. The concept obviously expanded from there as Anthony included his love for video games, the desire to bring heart to the story through the quirky romantic flirting, and his brilliant twist of playing out the filmmercial in a division of knowledge that leaves you wonder just what the main character truly did last night. Bortolussi worked on this project with Joel McCarthy, the film’s lead actor, with whom he had worked on several previous projects. Anthony says “I made [this video] because I love the XBOX brand, and of course to capitalize on the rumoured new console.” When asked if Microsoft was aware of the film, he responded “I’m a little afraid of being sued by Microsoft. Microsoft has no idea we’ve done this, and no one has contacted me.” We here at Speak Geeky To Me, who have watched the video several times already, are certain that if Microsoft calls it will likely be to demand Anthony Bortolussi put that degree to work advertising for the company.

The final filmed product shown above took a total of two 15-hour days to shoot. Anthony and his crew worked on the development and pre-production of the piece over roughly a month. Post-production continued onwards for 3 weeks, and the film was made with about a 95% volunteer cast and crew. All in all a very impressive start to what will likely be a very impressive career for Anthony and those involved with the film.

For those looking for a little more fun and humor from Anthony Botolussi, we have a special additional video. Anthony and friends filmed a rough draft/story board style video to help in framing and pacing their short. Now as fun as the final product itself is, there is something hilarious about watching this behind the scenes bit as the cast and crew run around using theirs hands, cardboard, and water bottles as guns. It’s a little reminiscent of that classic scene from Spaced. So watch below to enjoy this unique and funny video that gives insight into how Botolussi’s Xbox 720 ad was made.

 

 

To find out more about Anthony Botolussi and his works you can check out his website or keep up to date on the director/producer by following his twitter account here. For a full list of the incredible cast and crew behind this video, look below:

Cast:

And now, because we all want a second look at the lovely redhead from the beginning of the video (as I know my staff was trying desperately to replay the open sequence half-a-dozen times), here is a nice little screen cap of Renee Langelier from Anthony Bortolussi's film.

Male Lead (Jack) - Joel McCarthy
Female Lead (Monica) - Elysia Rotaru
Red - Renee Langelier
Henchman #1 - Jonathan Woodhall
Henchman #2 - Jason Asuncion
Henchman #3 - Malcolm Masters
Henchman #4 - Ricky Dionne

Background:

Phillip Lee
Candace L. Cui
Brad Giglio
Laura Miller
Judy Anna Madarász
Gigi Guerrero
Milos Djakovic
Anthony Bortolussi
Noelle Barrett

Director/Producer/Writer/Editor: Anthony Bortolussi
Producer: Lana Otoya
Co-Producer/Writer: Joel McCarthy
Story Editor: James Wallace

1st AD: Milos Djakovic

Director of Photography: Mike Baier
Camera Operator: Mike Baier
1st Camera Assist: Marshall Whitlock
2nd Camera Assist: Ian Jackes

Gaffer: Brent Watts
Key Grip: Philippe Pinheiro
Grips/Lamp Ops: Vince Emond, Stuart McLean, Riley Flanagan

Production Design: Vitantonio Spinelli
Set Dresser: Gigi Guerrero, Trevor Mack

Sound Mixer/Boom Op: Luke “Bram Jam” Bramley

Costumes: Danielle Malsbury

Makeup: Samantha Hunter

Fight/Stunt Coordinators: (Hybrid Movement) Mike Wu, George Boutros

VFX: Rhys Cooper, Mike Wu
Logo VFX: James Cadden, Marc Jarvis