Bodega s Steinman, Littman And Nba Stars Play Defense Against Illegal Wildlife Trade For NBA Cares And Wildaid

New York/San Francisco-based content creation/production company Bodega directors Eric Steinman and Mark Littman, the Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol and the New York Knicks' Tyson Chandler suit up and box out for the fight against illegal wildlife trade in two new :30 PSAs, 24 Seconds (with Gasol, directed by Steinman) and Center (with Chandler, directed by Littman) for NBA Cares and WildAid, produced direct to client. 24-Seconds was shot in English, Spanish and Mandarin to reach a global audience for the wildlife conservation organization, which, with this NBA Cares collaboration, adds new NBA athletes to its long list of celebrity ambassadors which includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Jackie Chan, Sir Richard Branson, Yao Ming and Carmelo Anthony. Center encourages consumers to never buy products made from ivory while 24-Seconds focuses on all endangered species.

The spots are currently airing during the 2013 NBA Playoffs on TNT.

Click HERE to see the spots.

The PSAs come in addition to prior collaborations with WildAid as Bodega ECD/Director Adam Reid previously created a sizzle reel for their annual Celebrity Gala held in San Francisco last May.

Steinman is no stranger to working with sports celebrities, having previously shot spots with Michael Jordan, Mariano Rivera and LaDanian Tomlinson. He notes, Pau had very good acting instincts. He seemed to get into a very believable committed attitude speaking extemporaneously with genuine care. Rather than celebrities simply talking about a cause, the PSA feels more like a story much more relatable.

Director Eric Steinmen with WildAid Celebrity Ambassador Pau Gasol. Photo Courtesy of Vern Evans and WildAid

24-Seconds features Gasol comparing basketball to endangered species. He begins, 24 seconds. That's all it takes to make it happen. As he continues, we intercut between Gasol and stock wildlife footage by Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and National Geographic. As we observe the animals in their natural habitats, he continues, But unfortunately, for endangered animals there's no reset. Many are now facing extinction. When their clock runs out, they're gone forever. So please, support conservation and never buy products made from these animals there's no more time to waste. The spot closes with the NBA Cares and WildAid logos and the super, A message from the NBA and its players.

Center opens on Chandler declaring, Bigger, stronger, more domineering than any other. Elephants are the centers of the animal kingdom. We see images of the mighty animal existing in its habitat intercut with muscular displays of strength on NBA courts. Chandler continues, Unfortunately today they're under attack. Tens of thousands are being killed each year just for their ivory. Disheartening images appear: hundreds of tusks being collected illegally and then sold in high-end stores across the globe. He concludes, Never by products made from ivory. Because when the buying stops, the killing can too. The organizations' logos close out the PSA.

According to a 2011 survey conducted by IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare), Elephant poaching levels are the worst in a decade and recorded ivory seizures are at their highest levels since 1989. The timing of these PSAs could not be more crucial, as many of our endangered species are threatened with near extinction.

About Bodega

Bodega Studios is a creative production company based in New York and San Francisco.

We are the passionate nerdy. We develop, produce and distribute award-winning projects in every medium. We make commercials, digital content, promos, feature films, television and music videos.

We believe the world is a beautiful place full of surprises, cool things and true magic. Our goal is to inject your project with geeky enthusiasm, groundbreaking creative, visionary style, original solutions and a passion for storytelling.

Our one-stop-shop model has been embraced by brands including: IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, USA Network, Logitech, Mattel, MasterCard, Walt Disney Pictures, Nickelodeon, Food Network, Applebee's, KIA, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet and Volkswagen.

About WildAid

WildAid's mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes by reducing demand through public awareness campaigns and providing comprehensive marine protection.

The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth over $10 billion (USD) per year and has drastically reduced many wildlife populations around the world. Just like the drug trade law and enforcement efforts have not been able to resolve the problem. Every year, hundreds of millions of dollars are spent protecting animals in the wild, yet virtually nothing is spent on stemming the demand for wildlife parts and products. WildAid is the only organization focused on reducing the demand for these products, with the strong and simple message: when the buying stops, the killing can too.

With an unrivaled portfolio of celebrity ambassadors and global network and media partners, WildAid is able to deliver high-impact, culturally-sensitive multimedia campaigns, leveraging well over $200 million (USD) in pro-bono media support, and reaching up to 1.5 billion people globally, every week.

Credits:

Client: NBA Cares/WildAid

Creative Director: Eric Steinhauser

Executive Director: Peter Knights

Production Company: Bodega Studios

Executive Producer: Clint Goldman

Title: 24 Seconds :30

Director: Eric Steinman

Director of Photography: Stephen Kenneston

Editorial: Northern Lights, NYC

Editor: Mark Tyler

Senior Producer: Julie Zivic

Music/Sound Company: SuperExploder

Mixer: Tony Sprayberry

Executive Producer: Beth Cummins

Talent: Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers

Title: Center :30

Director: Mark Littman

Director of Photography: Mat

LINK:	http://news.creativecow.net/story/871479...
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