"Random" is a word that many have seemed to embrace in recent years to color a concept that in previous decades may have been anywhere from half-baked to counter-culture.
Goodby, Silverstein & Partners deployed "Cheetopia" and reintroduced consumers to a quick-fix staple first packaged in 1948. As "Cheetopia" [jointly produced by Transistor, Honest, Cobra and Oddcast] was gaining momentum, GP&P asked Ted Perez to help develop a Facebook Channel - "The Lair" - to compliment and extend the work done to date. While we are very proud of the body of work, it is one body, fluffy, orange and...random we love most - Cheeto Von Plushkovich. Handmade by The Captain's old lady, Von Plushkovich nailed his bits on a single-day shoot. Footage was then run against public domain footage. All audio was produced in-house by Senator Hayes.
The beauty and burden of "Random" is ambiguity. Is Von Plushkovich random? Sure. Did it further the brand? Who knows. What is certain, in our eyes, is all hands were entertained and engaged and for a wee shop, laughter is key.
From the Page to the Puppet
Key to creating the right look was finding a material that would offer an adequate representation [on camera] of a pock-marked Cheeto and still be something fresh, fun and full of personality. Working with a half velvet/half shag fabric that cast a great energy when lit, several sketches were scripted out to showcase Von Plushkovich's character and skills. Skits included testifying before a Senate sub-committee, out-running a giant fire-breathing water beetle, salsa dancing, floating in space, going on a blind date with Diora Baird, playing pong with...hisself, and reciting Dante's Inferno, in Italian, while butchering a pig from nose to hoof with a spork*.
Behind the Scenes
*It should be made clear that no animals were in fact butchered nor were there any dates with any phenomenally gifted actors filmed. Said activities, while pitched and fully realized in storyboard form, were deemed "too random" and/or "too lurk" by the powers that be.