Terry Tate, Office Linebacker

These are by far some of the best ads EVER!!! They are a smart juxtaposition of office politics and the American sports mentality. Not to mention subtle pop culture references like "How many times to have to tell you to put a cover sheet on your TPS reports, GARY?!!" The fact that the name of the company is Felcher and Sons is genius in and of itself. Mr. Felcher's business cliches like "thinking outside the box" and "synergy", mixed with Terry's trash-talking after every hit, elevate this commercial to greatness.

Oh, and I love the fact that in the new short, T.T. VS. H.R. the firm the Human Resource woman works for is called "Sanchez and Steamer"!!!

This film is based on a simple but impressive idea; what happens if there is a threatening football player in an office? In 3 or 4 minutes, the film lets office linebacker 'Terry Tate' run around all over the office. Although our eyes tend to be glued to Terry's powerful movement, if you turn your eyes to the others scolded by him, you may be aware that some of them show rather powerful and funny reactions. Their reactions are also vital elements for the film. As to the film's pace, a scene immediately turns to another scene, and it glues audiences to the screen. Film-makers substantiate the foolish idea with their serious face. For example, the CEO answers the interview seriously, saying that the productivity increases after Terry comes. In addition, other office workers take his running for granted, and they say hello to him even when he is scolding someone loudly. Let's watch Terry's activity.

When I saw this film, I had many active questions, for example why a man was attacked by a non-businessman and why the non-businessman was at the office. These questions were gradually solved during the film. I think that the audience enjoys the film to the last because they want to know the answer to these questions.

In addition, I think the reason the audience enjoys the film is that the film is close to their life. They can imagine the working condition in the film easily and visualize if there is a non-businessman like Terry Tate in their office. The familiar situation is easy to imagine and so the audience enjoys it.

'Terry Tate: Office Linebacker' is structured like a documentary with the commentary of the office's inhabitants guiding us through the situation that has taken stronghold of their workplace. This situation is as ridiculous as it is appealing, comically exposing the binary mentalities that pervade the worlds of corporate America and elite sports. Productivity and efficiency are the goals toward which the office workers are setting themselves, and by taking the methods employed in the starkly different world of American football to push these workers, notions of professionalism are deconstructed as we realise that we have all, at some point, wanted to be Terry Tate. We are not allowed to be Terry Tate, however, because of the social codes by which we have to abide our conduct. As a result, we must find solace simply through the power that the screen holds in realising our deepest fantasies.

Procrastination is not permitted when its punishment is being knocked down by a very intimidating and big guy who is going to jump on you while shouting "Pain is coming!" It made me laugh how this guy was screaming and running from one place to another while chasing employees who were breaking the working rules or not being efficient enough. It resulted being as funny as effective, since everyone in the office is going to think about it twice before going against the boss' will. The attitude of Terry Tate, his aggressiveness and the way he talks made a really funny contrast with what we are used to see in an office and how different is the world of sport and business when it comes to disciplinate, this resulting very comic. I recommend this film to everyone having a bad day because I am sure it will at least make you smile!