Weeks of preparation followed by a single day of actual filming all helped bring NC State’s new 30-second television commercials to life. The new spots – entitled “Gateway” and “Speed Bump” – are a definite departure from more traditional university commercials, and were designed to portray NC State as a place where students hit the ground running and change the world.

With the help of ad agency Luguire George Andrews, NC State leaders selected New York-based director Sasha Levinson to help put their vision on film. A veteran commercial and music video director, Levinson’s portfolio includes work for Covergirl, Progress Energy and entertainers Mary J. Blige and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

P.J. King, the actor who appears in the commercials, is based out of Los Angeles, CA, and has a wealth of movies, television and theater experience. In addition, you’ll hear his voice on NC State’s new series of radio ads as well, scheduled to air on a number of regional sports radio stations.

Filming began in the early-morning hours of August 13, as a Wilmington, NC,-based film crew captured footage near Centennial Campus’ Monteith Research Center. Approximately 50 NC State faculty, staff and students were on hand to serve as “extras.” As the sun began to set, the crew packed up and reset near the university’s signature “gateway,” located near McKimmon Center on the corner of Western Boulevard and Gorman Street, where the last few shots were completed.

The first commercial premiered on Thursday, Aug. 28 during NC State’s season-opening football matchup at South Carolina, and will continue to be rebroadcast throughout the season.

Fun Facts about the TV shoot:

• Needed more that 500 feet of cables
• 35 crew members
• 50 extras
• 5 truckloads of equipment
• 8,000 feet of film (for what resulted in two 30-sec. commercials)
• 1 big catering truck from Wilmington
• 35-millimeter film
• Arricam cameras (standard movie cameras)
• Cook camera lens (best in the business)

By Lauren Gregg, Public Affairs – View the original article