LOCAL SOUND STAGE TAKES THE PANTS OFF FOUR NCAA COACHES

HSI Productions, Director Brett Ratner Shoot  “Guitar Hero” Spot at Trailblazer Studios in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (April 1, 2009) – More production comes to the Triangle. Along with agency Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, Los Angeles-based HSI productions and Director Brett Ratner (“X-Men: The Last Stand” and the “Rush Hour” franchise) shot the next installment of the Guitar Hero campaign at Raleigh’s Trailblazer Studios.
 
The spot is a continuation of a campaign made famous by model and co-host of “Project Runway,” Heidi Klum. Airing during the NCAA Tournament, the commercial features ESPN’s Bob Knight and coaches Roy Williams of UNC, Mike Krzyzewski of Duke and Rick Pitino of Louisville facing off against the rock band, Metallica. The coaches parody Tom Cruise’s famous “Risky Business” underwear scene. The four were filmed separately during two days of shooting at Trailblazer Studios. The scenes were then combined with footage of the living room and the band, Metallica (shot in San Francisco).

See the spot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LWhV-Wr-RM

With two of the coaches based in the Triangle, Trailblazer Studios was an ideal facility for shooting the spot.

“We’re always excited when producers bring their work to North Carolina,” said Tom Waring of Trailblazer Studios. “HSI rented both of our sound stages along with our green room and production office. We were thrilled to see they also hired many of the local crew we recommended.”

See behind the scenes:
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4025171&categoryid=2378529

In addition to housing one of the largest sound stages in the Southeast, Trailblazer Studios is also home to four divisions under one roof providing production, post, audio and music. The divisions produce commercial spots for advertising agencies and television programming and documentary work for networks, including FLN (formerly Fine Living), Discovery and Animal Planet. For more information, visit www.trailblazerstudios.com.