David Denneen: There’s only one Michael Jordan
By David Denneen (above left), Australian film and commercial directing legend, Filmgraphics
Like a lot of people, I have been watching “The Last Dance”, the documentary based on Michael Jordan’s career and the Chicago Bulls. It bought back to me what a privilege it was to work with perhaps the world’s greatest basketball player. It will go down as Anna [Fawcett] and my most rewarding and challenging shoots we have ever done, and here’s what happened.
We got a call while filming in Argentina from Jim Riswold the Creative Director of Weiden and Kennedy. He wanted Anna and I to fly to Chicago and shoot a spot for the launch of Nike Air Jordan over the Labour Day weekend, 1st September 1997. We had 4 days prep before we had to shoot. And we could only have Michael for 2 x 6 hour days. It was a complicated 60 second spot with visual effects, so the challenge was on. I had to get my storyboard done, design and have sets built as there was no other way of getting it all shot with the limited hours of Michael. By the way, the reference for the look of this film came from the movie “Hudsucker Proxy”.
Chicago Opera House at 10.30am cast and crew had been rehearsing for 3 hours and suddenly the company went quiet, Jim Riswold turned to me and said, “he’s arrived”. I was nervous and I looked through the crowd to see Michael Jordan towering above everyone as he made his way to the camera followed by his entourage. After being introduced he said, “right what are we doing here Dave?” He was a gentleman, good actor and professional.
I learnt early on how to work with him, I would blame myself for any mistake that happened even if it was my not liking the take, and I gained his confidence; he even gave me an extra hour of shooting time. He is an imposing character and after one or two takes, he’s was done. Back gambling with his friends until we were ready for him again.
Chicago Opera House side door was used to double for the exit of the stadium set we built. I walk out with one of Michael’s doubles and was greeted by what felt like thousands of people cheering. They were hanging out of windows, lining the sidewalks, police holding traffic. It was amazing. The applause and cheering stopped as fast as it began when the crowd realised it wasn’t Michael. While we were shooting inside, word got out that Michael Jordan was there. When I finally walked out with the real Michael Jordan the noise was deafening.
For the iconic jump, we had built a 60-foot green screen ramp with safety pads at the end of it. Michael turned to me and said; “what’s this for?” I explained we built it so he could get a run up and do his jump and he laughed at me. He said, “I stand and jump, and I am only doing it twice because I’ve got sore knees”.
He did that jump hovering in the air defying gravity and leaving us all awestruck. It hit home to me what an incredible athlete this man was and so graceful at the same time.
After editing at Filmgraphics and posting with Animal Logic the spot went to air. Anna and I were off onto another shoot transiting in LAX. I went to the bar and saw the ‘Nike CEO Jordan’ spot playing on the huge screen. It felt great to see it and I was so proud, I wanted to tell someone “hey I directed that”, but the bar was empty as it was 7.30 in morning.
23 Comments
Geez I wish I was working at Filmgraphics back then and on this shoot with you guys. WOW!
So good!
DD at his best!
There’s only one David Denneen
Cool story! Great hearing stuff like this from legends of the biz.
@ A Fan – I came here to write the same comment.
There’s def only one David Denneen.
I became a fan when I saw David’s commercial for Visa starring ‘Jackie Chan’. That was a fun piece.
Big ups, this was an epic story – thanks.
I assume we can all somehow relate to the Jordon’s line “make the logo bigger”. Classic.
A great director and a great bloke, how lucky we are to have him.
Great ad Dave, brilliantly directed as always. Wish I had a script to give you.
Nice one Dave and Anna,love those storyboards
He is a true legend that DD. As is Anna. We spent some weeks together shooting and editing a huge campaign for Australian Tourism. I still love the spots and I am very proud of two or three of them. It was a joy to work with Filmgraphics. Wish I could work with them again one day.
legends all 3 of you -Lovely story Dave ,didn’t realise you had so little time to prep!
The best storyboards in the business! Two legends, one project. Really enjoyed this piece, David. All the best.
I remember as a teenager hanging at the Filmgraphics studio so excited for Dave to get back so I could ask him all about it…then sneaking looks at the edit. Incredible Dave. The best directing the best.
No better team than DD and Anna.
What a terrific story. Anna and DD are absolute legends
What a great team and a career to be proud of !
I agree, there’s only one DD. And Anna, can you please stop age shaming us all!! 😉 Both of you gorgeous as always.
I gave Dave his first big live action commercial way back when he did just the animation for film companies.
He had this brilliant idea to shoot it all locked off with just a wide 9.8 lens. This was alarmingly simple and very graphic…never been done before.
It was for Bridgestone tyres and we shot it all over Australia. It was an epic production with alot of animation mixed with live action.
It won a gold Clio a FACTS award and a stack of other awards.
I had the pleasure of working with him again on many other spots then he got too popular…too famous and too hard to get.
He is without doubt one of the most talented people I have ever worked with.
Everything he touched was magic and he only did great commercials that looked amazing.
Thank you Dave for the fun while it lasted.
BTW not many people know this but he owns and manages a toothpick factory that keeps him in constant supply.
Thanks for sharing this story!
MY claim to fame. I worked for David Denneen. I was his first (and only) employee – way back in the 1960s.
Dave and Anna – both legends. x
Such a great story DD.
The legend of Filmgraphics and David and Anna grows expedentially.
Thanks for all your great works from Levi’s to your movies as all your advertisements are.
Thanks a million and congrats from all your humble beings.
Cheers Jock Adam. Melbourne on behalf of Caroline and Neil Lawrence (dec) .