Honda hunts for documentary star

Honda is conducting a nationwide search for customers who use its products in extraordinary and unique ways.

One of the Honda owners who uses any of its products such as car, motorbike, lawn mower, marine engine, ATV or generator, in the most unusual way will be cast in the firm's next documentary film.

The documentary film based on the winner's story will be released online and broadcast on Channel 4 and More 4 as part of the company's documentary sponsorship.

Customers who make use of their Honda products in different and unexpected ways can take part in the competition by uploading their unusual stories on the company's new website, honda.co.uk/stories.

The website is fully accessible and will also include posts of other entries. The last day for entry is September 30.

Honda is expecting a lot of entries on the innovative ways people use their Honda's in real life.

Martin Moll, Marketing Director at Honda (UK) said: "We are really excited about this competition and giving someone the opportunity to star in their own short film and tell their Honda story. It's been fascinating finding out what our customers get up to with their Hondas and I'm really looking forward to hearing more extraordinary stories. No matter how off the wall or unexpected - we want to hear it."

Source;
http://www.rac.co.uk/news-advice/motoring-news/post/2011/6/honda-hunts-for-documentary-star/

Honda Produces Short Documentary About Its Work With Robots

I’ve just discovered today that Honda has a short film series about a variety of cool topics, created by award-winning documentarians. Of the most interest to me and this audience, of course, is probably the fantastic little short “Living With Robots”.

This short is directed by Joe Berlinger, who’s done quite a few interesting works, including Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, and Iconoclasts.

The focus of the piece is a pretty fascinating look at Honda’s work in robotics, in particular, its issues and research in producing a robot that walks. But it goes beyond that into exploring how to get humans to be comfortable living and working with robots in their day to day lives — especially when it comes to overcoming the “creepiness” factor.

You can check out the video below. It’s about 9 minutes, but it’s well worth your time:

Source;
http://blogs.forbes.com/alexknapp/2011/04/10/honda-produces-short-documentary-about-its-work-with-robots/

Honda Premieres “The Undying Dream” Short-Film Documentary at 2011 Sundance Film Festival

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of the “DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE” Documentary Series, today Honda debuted its eighth short-film documentary, “The Undying Dream,” at the Sundance Film Festival. Honda’s more than 844,000 Facebook fans, as well as its YouTube channel viewers, will also get a sneak peek of “The Undying Dream” today.
“‘The Undying Dream’ is about finding your unique strengths and talents and having the passion and resilience to commit to your calling”

“‘The Undying Dream’ is about finding your unique strengths and talents and having the passion and resilience to commit to your calling,” said Barbara Ponce, manager of corporate advertising for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “The Sundance Film Festival is the ideal venue to present Honda’s new film, as the Sundance Institute and Honda both encourage an independent spirit, taking risks to bring forth bold ideas, and realizing the power of your own dreams in the process.”

Directed by Ondi Timoner, the only filmmaker to twice win the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, with producers @radical.media, “The Undying Dream” brings to life a Honda corporate principle — the challenging spirit. This spirit is demonstrated in Honda’s quest to pursue and achieve impossible dreams, which has led to the creation of innovative products that enhance human mobility and advance environmental consciousness.

“For our newest film, ‘The Undying Dream,’ we had the opportunity to interview some truly amazing and inspirational people — Laird Hamilton, professional surfer; Ashley Fiolek, pro Motocross racer; Jeremy McGrath, Supercross champion; Takanobu Ito, president and CEO, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and other Honda associates — who discuss their passion for achieving their dreams while realizing there’s always a new goal coming up right behind it,” said writer and producer Todd Carey at RPA, Honda’s longstanding advertising agency of record.

“The Undying Dream” will screen at the “Honda Power of Dreams Experience,” an interactive venue showcasing unique Honda products highlighting innovation, environmental leadership and advanced technology. In the exhibit, Honda will conduct demonstrations of the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, ASIMO, as well as display some of the company’s innovative products, such as the Honda FCX Clarity, a cutaway of the Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid, a 12-foot scale model of the HondaJet, and Honda motorcycle products, including an interactive motorcycle rider safety and training simulator. The “Honda Power of Dreams Experience” is open to the public free of charge Fri., Jan. 21, through Wed., Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. “The Undying Dream” will be shown every hour on the half hour starting at 10:30 a.m.

Beyond the Sundance Film Festival, “The Undying Dream” will be supported in-theater and online. Spots of either 90 or 30 seconds will be featured on the YouTube masthead and full-episode players. The full-length film and corresponding 90-second trailer will also air on TiVo.
Launched in January 2009, the “DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE” Documentary Series is intended to speak to both the hearts and minds of consumers by revealing stories of Honda’s corporate philosophy at work through an intimate multimedia, interactive website.

The campaign, developed by RPA, targets 25- to 49-year-old adults with a youthful spirit, who are comfortable with technology, who value authenticity, and who are drawn to brands they can relate to, connect with, or admire.
Credits

Film
Chief Creative Officer: David Smith
Writers: Todd Carey, Curt Johnson
Agency Senior Producer: Isadora Chesler
Executive Producers: Barbara Ponce, Gary Paticoff, Jon Kamen, Frank Scherma, Frank Stiefel, Justin Wilkes
Production Company: @radical.media
Producers: Liz Bradley, Todd Carey, Curt Johnson
Director: Ondi Timoner
DP/Lighting/Cameraman: Andrij Parekh
Editor: Ting Poo/Outpost Digital
Original Soundtrack: Q Department.
Post Production: Method Studios, CD/Flame Artist: Claus Hansen
Telecine: Co3, Artist: Siggy Ferstl
Graphic Designer: Dave Dimeola
Photographer: Davi Russo

Interactive
Chief Creative Officer: David Smith
Executive Producer, Content: Gary Paticoff
Senior Producer, Content: Isadora Chesler
Creative Director/Art: Curt Johnson
Associate Creative Director/Copy: Todd Carey
Senior Art Director/Art: David Mesfin
Senior Copywriter: Brenna Hajek
User Experience Lead: Alex Yra
Technology Director: Scott Westerfield
Technologist/Flash: Jeff Siegal

Source;
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110121005032/en/Honda-Premieres-%E2%80%9CThe-Undying-Dream%E2%80%9D-Short-Film-Documentary