START YOUR IMPOSSIBLE: THE DUAL HEROES

TitleSTART YOUR IMPOSSIBLE: THE DUAL HEROES
BrandTOYOTA MOTOR ASIA PACIFIC
Product / ServiceTOKYO 2020 OLYMPIC / PARALYMPIC GAMES
CategoryA03. Casting
EntrantTOYOTA MOTOR ASIA PACIFIC Singapore, SINGAPORE
Idea Creation ADK Singapore, SINGAPORE
Production ACADEMY FILMS London, UNITED KINGDOM

Credits

Name Company Position
Chris Gurney ADK Singapore Executive Creative Director
Chris Gurney ADK Singapore Executive Creative Director
Greg Rawson Greg Rawson Creative Director
Sasha Rainbow Sasha Rainbow Director
Tom Cartwright Academy Films Executive Producer
Alex Jamin Alex Jamin Director Of Photography
Shantanu Dasgupta ADK Singapore Regional Planning Director
Joshua Okada ADK Singapore Business Director
Mi Kyung Kim Mi Kyung Kim Agency Producer
David Higgs Electric Theatre Collective London Editor
James William Blades JWB Music Artist
Jonny Platt Wave Studios Sound Design Arrangement
Takeshi Takada ALT VFX Executive Producer
Hui Chong Yong ADK Singapore Planner

Write a short summary of what happens in the film

“Impossible” is the barrier that stands in the way of taking that first step toward a better future. For most people, the courage to take their first step to “overcome the impossible,” needs a source of inspiration. While other brands were using top-level celebrity sportspeople, we did the exact opposite. We found sportspeople who were champions not only in the stadium, but in the real world. The film shows these “Dual Heroes” fighting two battles at once: 1) trying to be successful in sports and 2) using their sporting success to influence positive change in their communities. Just like many of our athletes, many of the people they were bringing positive social change to, were also disabled or from disadvantaged communities. The film shows people that no matter how tough life is, they can transcend their situation and overcome their impossible.

Cultural/Context information for the jury

Toyota's commitment as the principle partner for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic & Paralympic games is to uphold the spirit of the games in the Asian region. While we had a set call to action for the initiative in the form of ‘Start your Impossible’, it was critical to contextualize this in relevant narrative for Asians. Many countries in Asia suffer from large numbers of infrastructure problems, as well as having many disadvantaged people and communities. The “Dual Athletes” in the film are helping to achieve not just national glory in stadiums, but using their success to drive change in society. From winning a bout, to advocating the voices of the unheard. From inspiring others to find hope through sport, to bringing real change to the lives of future generations out on the streets.

Tell the jury about the casting process.

We purposely cast athletes who were not Olympic gold medalists or international celebrities. The people we chose had dual goals: to win in sports, and to use their success to create positive change in their communities. This was far more important than using top-tier athletes, as we wanted to show real people who champion for social and cultural change. From setting a world record to promoting safer roads. From outsmarting the competition to making a case for equality and accessibility. From inspiring others to find hope through sport, to bringing real change to the lives of future generations out on the streets. Our dual heroes are winners outside the stadiums, as much as inside. We also cast real children and adults from streets and slums of the Asian cities we filmed in, giving them a chance to be a part of this campaign for incredible social change.

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