(Note: You can skip to the video below, if you want to, but I’m guessing you’ll enjoy it even more if you read this first)
Super Bowl has been the most watched event on American television for fifty years. (For my non-U.S. friends, Super Bowl features a game played with a miniature zeppelin that only American’s [and a few Canadians, eh] call a football. Oh, and Aussie’s have their own funny version–but, then, they have their own funny version of everything.)
Super Bowl commercials are seen by more people than even the biggest Hollywood blockbusters. Hence, making a Super Bowl TV ad can be a shortcut to glory for filmmakers. So when a killer Super Bowl ad idea popped into my head, I ran with it!
Every year, Doritos sponsors a “Crash the Super Bowl” contest. The winner not only gets their home-made commercial seen by over 100 million people, they get a cool-ranch million bucks and a Hollywood contract to boot!
The only problem was that my idea was big—really big—and my budget was small—really small. Like. Non-existent. My Doritos commercial involved a British 
archaeologist in a mummy’s tomb and a royal entourage in an ancient Egyptian court. How could I possibly pull this off?
As soon as I’d hatched my idea about Doritos-loving Pharaoh Amenhochip (“Chip”) the 48th, I started calling movie biz friends in Cincinnati and very smoothly and persuasively…begging for help! Two key people came on-board: Jeff Barklage, an Emmy-winning director of photography, and Lynn Meyers, casting director for every Hollywood movie made on location here. Once they were attached…
Some of the region’s most talented people threw in: an in-demand editor, a brilliant costumer, a top make-up and hair designer, and a scenery-making genius who once built (for The Shawshank Redemption) a styrofoam wall that was indistinguishable from the rest of the 120 year old stone prison. 
In addition, my agent found a gifted British comedian to play my over-the-top archaeologist and a popular TV actor to play Pharaoh’s long-suffering Royal Architect. Then, in a shameless act of self-promotion–and because I work for free–I cast myself as Pharaoh Chip. Everyone agreed to work for a share of the winnings—if we won.
There was one final hurdle: Where to shoot our mini-epic? Cincinnati is located on the Ohio River. But to say it looks like the Nile would be an act of (wait for it) denial (rim shot). In addition, there are very few Pharaoh’s palaces here. And then a friend 
told me that the Creation Museum—just 20 minutes away—had a full-blown Egyptian courtyard! And they said, “Yes!”
(Cue angelic choir.)
So for six very early morning hours before the museum opened, our cast and crew of thirty lit, staged, and filmed a golden age movie classic that lasts exactly 30 seconds (Note: this is actually the lavish 47 second Director’s Cut version). Well, what are you waiting for? Make some popcorn and watch it now!
Did we win? No. But we were one of the three most watched videos in the entire contest—out of more than 8,000 entries—receiving major kudos along the way, including “favorite” status from three previous years’ winners! Still, alas, the Doritos judges chose us not.
Will I make another Doritos ad?
No.
Maybe.
I have this idea…
But either way, it was one of the coolest experiences of my life. Plus, it produced a gaggle of talented new friends, many of whom will be working (cue searchlights) on…
The new feature film we’re shooting this spring!
Super cool!
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You took your idea and ran with it … kudos to you! You’ve broaden your network and made all sorts of connections. Can’t wait to see what you do next. 🙂
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Man oh man, Mitch, that is a great ad! You should’ve won – what were the judges thinking? I never noticed how much those chips resemble the Great Pyramids.🔺
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“Denial.”
Hilarious. I love it!
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It’s a winner in my books 🙂 🙂 🙂 Brilliant, now we know the secret of the Great Pyramids, yummi 🙂
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Bravo
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That’s hilarious! So sad it didn’t win.
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Really fun! You should’ve won!
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Mitch, I laughed myself silly over this. You know, I used to be the head of the advertising division at Doritos—you’ll note I said…used to be. Had I selected your commercial (as any sane individual would have), instead of that ridiculous pyramid scheme I went with, I might not be the broken man I am today. And to think I owe it all to you Pharaoh Chip. Seriously though, that was great, Mitch! It’s what a Super Bowl commercial should be, and I particularly loved reading about the background behind it. Fabulous and real genius! 😀
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Aw, thank you, Paul! From now on I’ll look in the mirror every day and tell myself, “You’re a fabulous and real genius!” ;>)
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LOL. And who knows, maybe the Doritos people will come to their senses and realize a work of real genius when they see it, and restore this commercial to its rightful place, that of being played on Super Sunday. ‘o)
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Loved it! It would have gotten my vote!
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Oh wow! You’re a winner in my book. Can I be an extra in your next ad?
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Fabulous.
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Bravo. That was really cool. Would have been a winner in my book. ☺
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YOU HAVE MY VOTE! (too bad they didn’t ask me….)
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“I want that!”. Brilliant!
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Funny and genius ad! 🙂 How many ads did you make in your lifetime?
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That’s the only TV ad I’ve ever done as a writer/director/producer (I’ve acted in quite a few). My normal focus is on films, rather than commercials.
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That video really made me laugh.
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Very good! It should have won!
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That is one memorable commercial — SO clever, Mitch! Doritos blew it.
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So good and so funny. And has exactly what one would hope for in an ad…that it’s based around the product and that we always remember the product.
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Can’t talk now. I have to go buy Doritos.
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Very cool…and well done. I can totally see that playing on the Super Bowl telecast which I may or may not be able to watch fro pm SE Asia.
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Yeah, I have no idea if Super Bowl airs in SE Asia!
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IMHYIO your ad should have taken first place.
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In My Humble Yet Informed Opinion?
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You bet ya 😉
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Oh yes!! That WAS funny! Thanks, Mitch! Anne
On Fri, Feb 5, 2016 at 11:45 AM, Mitch Teemley wrote:
> mitchteemley posted: ” (Note: You can skip to the video below, if you want > to, but I’m guessing you’ll enjoy it even more if you read this first) > Super Bowl has been the most watched event on American television for fifty > years. (For my non-U.S. friends, Super Bowl features ” >
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Thank you, Anne. Good to hear from you!
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loved it! what a hoot 🙂
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This is extraordinary and HYSTERICAL!
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Thank you!
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Enjoyed the ad. Worth a share on twitter.
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I just saw a V8 juice commercial and if you are not in it,
you have a twin. Is it you? If not, have you seen the commercial?
It ends with you or your doppelganger on the label of the V8 can.
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I’m not! Will have to check that out.
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Reblogged this on Mitch Teemley and commented:
On the fly today, so I’m reposting this video of My Super Bowl Ad for those who haven’t seen it and for those who are willing to invest 47 seconds to watch it again. You’ll be glad you did (he said modestly)!
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Hi Mitch,
It impressed me as rather amateurish. The idea is great. Love the triangle-shaped Dorito receptacle on the sarcaphogus that turns and then the mummy’s grab of the Dorito. With more budget and hence more professional acting actors and better cutting, I think you might have won. VMK
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Hi Vernon. Sorry you weren’t impressed. For what it’s worth, everyone who worked on the film (actors, editor, etc.) is a professional.
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I want to see what did win because that was fabulous! How could anyone else’s have been better?!?
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Awww!
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Nice job.
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Thank you.
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Absolutely loved it!
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Genuine lol here. Super cheesy, just like Doritos. That Pharaoh bloke was a bit weird, though…
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;>)
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Shouda won!
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Nothing better than biased friends. ;>)
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