The ask:
Get people thinking about the real risks of skin cancer — and how to prevent it.
The idea:
Here’s the truth: Everyone hates cancer — and skin cancer is the most common, yet preventable, form in Ireland. Bolstered by these facts, this campaign sets out to raise awareness and stop skin cancer in its tracks by “throwing shade”. Literally and figuratively.
“Throw Shade” – informal
to publicly criticise or express contempt for someone
or something.
Two salt of the earth Dublin grannies have a heated conversation about sun safety.
[SFX: Beach sounds – seagulls, waves, faint chatter]
Mary: Lovely day.
Joan: It is.
Mary (casually): The sun’s an awful [bleep] though.
Joan (surprised yet sarcastic): And how’d ye come to that conclusion?!
Mary (irate yet informative): Skin cancer. The [bleepin’] sun can give ye [bleepin’] skin cancer! Very bad, but very preventable. Just slip on clothes with plenty of coverage, slop on the suncream, seek shade, and slap on a big hat. And you’ll give skin cancer and nice big kick up the…
Joan: Hold your horses, I get the idea!
VO: Be sun safe this summer and throw shade on skin cancer.
Video Idea & Outline
Hugh Jackman cutting skin cancer down to size in a surprising sun safety PSA.
In a large Hollywood soundstage, away from the scorching California sun, the film crew are in a race against time. They’ve only a handful of minutes with A-lister Hugh Jackman to shoot their PSA, and they must get the shot. As they scramble in frantic preparation, The Jackman remains his usual charming and gentlemanly self. But when the director calls “action,“ the tone shifts.
With minimal direction and full creative freedom,
HJ flips the switch and delivers a bizarre, rage-filled expletive-laden rant for the ages. Although his performance begins in typical heartfelt PSA style, the serenity is short-lived. His intensity and vitriol are palpable, and the performance quickly ramps up as he tears into skin cancer and the sun with a savage sincerity that’s both scathing and shocking.
By the end, coffees and jaws have been dropped. The crew are left stunned by his mental monologue, leaving skin cancer, and everyone in the room, obliterated!
After leaving an indelible impression on PSA performance history, Hugh nonchalantly exits the set and heads back to his trailer.
As he walks off set, he hoists an umbrella above his head to shield himself from the sun, though not before aiming a middle-finger salute, Wolverine style, up to that big, bad ball of gas in the sky!