Big Rock Commercial Challenge

The Big Rock Beer commercial contest has steadily become a bigger and bigger event over its 25 year run.  So much so, that for the last 17 years, to celebrate the winners of each year’s contest, Big Rock holds a Gala Event called the Big Rock Eddies. Why wouldn’t we want to be a part of that?  That was the question that fuelled our efforts to Produce the 2010 Big Rock Eddies Grand Prize and Audience Favourite Award winner, ‘Bottle Run’.

It was quite a shock to receive the notification that we had been chosen as one the 19 finalists for the contest, all of which would be invited to the Eddies Award Event in Calgary.  After a little negotiation, I was able to twist Matt’s rubber arm and convince him to go on a road trip to attend.  A fundraising campaign was launched to get us to Calgary so we could, jokingly at the time, “accept the Eddies Trophy and $10,000 cheque for winning.”  In the weeks leading up to the trip we blogged about our fundraising efforts, tracked the view count, and laughed at the comments that came pouring in.  Finally, the goal had been reached, and the trip was underway.  During the drive from Vancouver to Calgary, the event, and the morning after, we video logged the entire process.

You can read our clever posts and view our hilarious videos here.

The event was incredibly surreal and amazing.  After first playing all the videos, the response to ‘Bottle Run’ was deafening.

That sparkled a possibility that we could at least win the Audience Favourite award. The presenters began announcing the winners; Third Place…Student Award…..Second Place….Then, Audience Favourite: ‘Bottle Run’ by Matt Hamilton of Victoria.  The Crowd goes wild.  Matt and I look at each other, completely stunned.  Matt runs up to the stage and delivers an epic acceptance speach, one that will discussed among the 2000+ attendees and launches Matt into A-List Hollywood Star status.  Upon returning to his seat we celebrate with a high-five and a quick appraisal of the Golden Statuette.  Then….the moment. First prize and winner of the $10,000 prize goes to ‘BOTTLE RUN”.  I wish all of our friends and family could have been there to celebrate with us.  The response was like we were surrounded by those closest to us, but in actuality, Matt and I, along with our friend and fellow filmmaker Bryce we alone in a sea of strangers.  You’d never know if you were a fly on the wall.

Upon returning to Vancouver, we were invited to attend the Vancouver Recap of the event, The Second Annual Vancouver Eddies. Once again we were crowned the Audience favourite, for our smaller, but just as enthusiastic hometown crowd.

It has been quite the ride, and we are extremely graceful for the support of our family, friends and fans.  Without you, we would not have been able to enjoy this amazing and highly inspiring experience.

With Warm Regards,

Tim Rockey…and by Proxy, Matt Hamilton.

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