Terry Tate, Office Linebacker

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.

This is the funniest short ever. It's got everything...Yelling,physical comedy,interoffice politics,shouting,bone crunching hits,screaming,profanity.

A masterpiece. Nuff said.

'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.

Productivity is up at Felcher & Sons and the CEO puts it all down to the impact of one new employer – former NFL player Terry Tate. In his role as Office Linebacker Terry ensures that the annoying and inefficient people in the office are kept on their toes with a range of tackles, smackdowns and trash talking.

I really hate American Football and the idea of watching the Super Bowl for 4 hours in the middle of the night is not one I have any interest in. However in America the TV spots and commercials seem to be one of the big attractions for the audiences – with big film trailers, trunk monkeys and things like this short film. Here we have the simple idea of a NFL player taking out "punks" within the office environment, shouting and shouting "bitch" a lot. It is a simple idea but it is very funny – the guy who finishes the coffee, the bad worker, the annoying chatter, the guy who uses speaker phone in an open plan office – they all get taken down by Tate. It is perhaps funny because we all have people like this that we wish would be taken down in style and it is perhaps a bit of escapism.

The tackles are very convincing and had me wincing several times. Tate is played with real energy and the juxtaposition of his attitude and the bland world of the open plan office make for a comic mix that works very well. Meanwhile the office staff are convincingly played and also take hits very well. Overall a very funny advert that had me laughing from start to finish; it can be easily downloaded and it is worth trying to find.

When I read the logline of this film, I was so surprised and attracted by the idea. An American footballer Terry keeps his office in order. He does not forgive employees who do not obey the rule at their company, and exercises strict control over such employees. He tackles them just like an American football game in the office! The employees are afraid of his punishment, so they become serious, and the company's performance is steadily improving! He is an office linebacker! However, he is not just a person who punishes employees. He also works as an employee. He presents about his tasks, and celebrates his colleagues' birthdays like others do.

This work has a strong impression, and throws it out in only a few minutes. That is the fascination of short films. We are overwhelmed by its unique idea, and the story goes at a tremendous speed. We will be thunderstruck like Terry tackles us when we watch it. It is just an awesome film.