The likes of Clarence Seedorf and Gianluigi Buffon are well versed in performing in an array of magical football theatres like the San Siro or Bernabeu, but I doubt either of them has ever played in arena with such splendour and beauty as the Státní opera Praha. It was the setting for Heineken’s NEW Champions League commercial and the surroundings and ambience helped fuse the feeling that football is very much real life opera.
I was lucky to be on location for day one of the filming with two absolute giants of World football. Clarence Seedorf and Gianluigi Buffon have been it, seen it and done it on the football field, but despite being taken out of their comfort zone and performing their respective tasks in front of a vast film crew and director – they both proved to be the consummate professionals. Gianluigi Buffon jokingly remarked, off the set, that he was unsure as to whether acting will be his chosen vocation when he hangs up his gloves, but he certainly performed his role. Football choreographer, Andy Ansah worked closely with Clarence Seedorf who had the unenviable task of chipping a dead ball, (wearing boots on a seemingly unforgiving stage floor) up to Buffon who was standing right at the top of the Opera House in a booth that is usually laid on for royal or important dignitaries. Seedorf delivered on cue much to everyone’s relief – given the potential damage a stray ball could have done to the beautiful surrounds.
The filming was a real eye opener to me and the amount of work that goes in behind such a production. There was a huge crew involved, given the complexity of shoot and no stone was left unturned. The range of shots was varied to give the commercial its dynamism and the use of lighting ensured that the Opera House’s beauty was brought to the fore. They even had someone ensuring the Heineken beer bottles looked chilled; such was the meticulous detail that went into the production.
It was a wonderful shoot and the two footballing giants played their roles expertly in this epic. While the Státní opera Praha will not be showing any Champions League action any time soon, it symbolised the Operatic and magical nature of the competition. All that was missing was Tony Britten’s ‘Champions League’ theme – a tune that is very much at home in these surrounds.
This Heineken commercial provides the perfect tonic for the season ahead, I think you’ll agree, as Europe’s elite prepare for the ‘Road to Munich.’
‘ Clarence Seedorf, Gianluigi Buffon, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Patrick Vieira and Rene Adler star in the new films from Heineken to promote their new UEFA Champions League ‘Legendary Football’ campaign. To find out more visit www.facebook.com/heineken’
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