McDonalds driven out of Newcastle
block fan | 08.03.2006 14:33 | Ecology | Globalisation | Health
McDonalds tried to film their latest ad campaign in Newcastle, but found themselves besieged by fat clowns and others determined not to let them use Newcastle as part of their brand. Shooting was gloriously interrupted in town, and they were completely prevented from filming on the Quayside.
3.3.2006
McDonalds - rubbish food made of fat, dead forests and exploited labour.
Newcastle - home of geordie pride and with some rather nice bridges at the Quayside. Perfect backdrop to a TV campaign.
Anyone remember Stuart Hall from 'It's a Knockout' in the 1980s? He was their frontman, speaking into a purple mic at Monument - until that is a gaggle of fat clowns careened into view behind him and started dancing and belching.
Police muttered about breach of the peace but no one was breaking the law so nothing could be done. The film crew weren't best happy, and one of them hit a girl in the neck to make himself feel better about himself.
"But we hate McDonalds too!" the camera crew said, "We were just laughing before about how we would never eat there." Sorry, said we, but that just makes you hypocrites.
There was a standoff as the light faded, and a vigilant presence on the Quayside kept them from filming there as had been their intention. The camera trucks eventually retreated out of the city, aiming for a spot with less citizen participation.
It was a very funny day which felt spontaneous and happy, with lots of approving comments and participation from passersby. About 30 people took part in the advert-blockade, of which 10 or so were dressed as fat clowns.
Someone out there's got photos they might like to upload.
We know we didn't bring the McDonalds empire tumbling down, but boy was it satisfying to bug the hell out of them! Recommended.
McDonalds - rubbish food made of fat, dead forests and exploited labour.
Newcastle - home of geordie pride and with some rather nice bridges at the Quayside. Perfect backdrop to a TV campaign.
Anyone remember Stuart Hall from 'It's a Knockout' in the 1980s? He was their frontman, speaking into a purple mic at Monument - until that is a gaggle of fat clowns careened into view behind him and started dancing and belching.
Police muttered about breach of the peace but no one was breaking the law so nothing could be done. The film crew weren't best happy, and one of them hit a girl in the neck to make himself feel better about himself.
"But we hate McDonalds too!" the camera crew said, "We were just laughing before about how we would never eat there." Sorry, said we, but that just makes you hypocrites.
There was a standoff as the light faded, and a vigilant presence on the Quayside kept them from filming there as had been their intention. The camera trucks eventually retreated out of the city, aiming for a spot with less citizen participation.
It was a very funny day which felt spontaneous and happy, with lots of approving comments and participation from passersby. About 30 people took part in the advert-blockade, of which 10 or so were dressed as fat clowns.
Someone out there's got photos they might like to upload.
We know we didn't bring the McDonalds empire tumbling down, but boy was it satisfying to bug the hell out of them! Recommended.
block fan
e-mail:
whydontyou@post.com
Comments
Hide the following 4 comments
Lots of McD Closures and sell offs
08.03.2006 16:02
keep the pressure up _ keep the info flowing!
macme
The Press Release
08.03.2006 16:22
A Surreal Protest Against The McDonaldisation Of The Quayside
Today 2pm Opposite Heartbreak Soup
Anti Corporate Artists Overweight Clowns and Angry Anti-Litter-alists will
descend on to Newcastle's Quayside at 2pm today to join in with the filming
of a new McDonalds TV Advert which will be taking place between 2 and 5pm
opposite Heartbreak Soup.
"Some may think we are foolish trying to inject a note of reality into the
corporate dross which McDonalds is intent on serving up but we think the
issues of childhood obesity, littered streets, low pay, animal abuse and the
McDonaldisation of everyday life demand our attention for an afternoon of
radical entertainment" said Pandora Bocks, organising committe of FCARF.
all media are invited to send a representative to witnesss our
likely downfall but glorious defeat
endoscope
great action
09.03.2006 17:51
McD's on the run ... time to put the boot in
on
riotact
Homepage:
http://johnnyvoid.blogspot.com
I Worked on the McDonalds Shoot
14.03.2006 13:23
I was the Sound Assistant for the McDonald’s shoot you are writing about, the one we filmed in Newcastle. I just like to say to start with nice costumes.
I don’t eat McDonalds myself as I choose not to, fair enough you had your say that you don’t like it either but when you "stopped us" filming in the street that day I just felt that maybe the best thing to have done was to go and do it out side of the shop.
My personal opinion is just don’t eat it, you don’t eat they don’t get paid simple as.
Another thing is WE DONT WORK FOR MCDONALDS!!! I and the rest of the crew are hired buy a company who makes adverts so don’t scream at use next time, and just to clear things up no one hit anyone. They only thing you guys did were to take an hour or so off filming so made it me get home later. :( ...
The things you dint not realise is that you where actually "spoiling" the mock up shoot we made so you would leave the “Real Shoot” crew alone and you dint stop the add at all. (Well tried though, maybe next time the guy on the bike you have cycling all over the place could do his jobs better)
well it was all good fun in the end and we had a good time in Newcastle pubs are great and people nice... so next time don’t get at the crew get at the agency people they are who you want..
Thanks Nicolas Jackson
Nicolas Jackson
e-mail:
ratatatfilms@gmail.com
Homepage:
http://jackson-demon.co.uk