“To be a viral video many people believe that to be forwarded on it has to be short, funny, violent, rude or contain very cute animals. So what chance would a 12 minute long film have that had none of that? A film that was just a simple story of love between two people” (Publicis).
Sings, a short, romantic comedy, was made by Publicis Groupe, a French multinational advertising and communications company and @RadicalMedia, a multi-disciplinary integrated media company, as a part of the beverage brand Schweppes’ 2009 Short Film Festival. Entries were asked to incorporate and use Schweppes branding through product placement and the onomatopoeia “Schhhhh” (which is derived from the beverage brand’s marketing campaign slogan “Schhhhh… Schweppes,” the sound the carbonation creates when the drink is opened).
On January 2009, YouTube user steveymcdonald unofficially uploaded the short film to the immensely popular video sharing network. Within weeks, the video reached half a million views and to date has totaled over three and half million and counting.
The short film is about a shy young business man named Jason, desperately seeking true love. The only problem is he does not know where to look. Sometimes though, all you need is a sign.
The lovable short film, directed by Patrick Hughes, portrays the adorable relationship that fosters between Jason and a beautiful young woman named Stacey, who is seated at a desk in the building across the street. A flirtatious, but non-verbal friendship ensues between the two through the use of scribbled notes which they hold up for each other to read across the building span. Their non-personal, but oddly captivating relationship blossoms until one day Schhhhh… I guess you will have to watch the film to discover what happens.
The twelve minute feel-good film is worth every second of your time so watch it and become one of over 20,000 YouTube fans who have already rated the film. Additionally, if you are so inclined, you can show your support for the film by joining the Facebook fan page, or downloading the respectable soundtrack. For more short films head over to the Schweppes Short Film Festival lobby where you can watch some of the other selections from this year.
