ADMAN | Omeleto

A man falls in love and starts a life -- told with commercials.
ADMAN is used with permission from Ben Callner. Learn more at bencallner.com.
Logan is settling into a new home and job, trying to find his footing at a corporate ad agency. But at his job, he meets Allie, beginning an office romance that proceeds through a heartwarming arc, until unexpected obstacles threaten their "happily ever after."
Written and directed by Ben Callner, along with brother Adam Callner as producer, ADMAN is a clever comedy-romance that makes its mark through sheer ingenuity and smarts, breathing new life into a genre that is often riddled with cliches. The most immediately notable aspect of the short is its ingenuous narrative and stylistic conceit. The plot itself is a boy-meets-girl classic romance that hits all the milestones of a relationship: meeting, flirting, marriage, conflict and resolution.
But the story is structured through a series of fake ads that sell non-existent products. The emerging couple feature in almost each spot, and characters and settings repeat, creating cohesion even as the "packaging" and marketing around the story segments changes. The result is a cinematic experience that's funny, clever and highly entertaining, presenting the traditional arc of a relationship in a fresh, hilarious way.
What's remarkable is that each "ad" works beautifully on their own, made with remarkably polished craftsmanship and panache, and many are even Super Bowl-worthy, with twists of fantastic humor and surprise. (The Callner brothers are accomplished commercial filmmakers, working on major campaigns that include Volkswagen, Verizon and GEICO.) The setup and punchline of each commercial are engaging, witty and often quite memorable, supported with versatile performances that fluidly adjust to each segment's demands and unified by a polished visual approach of heightened naturalism.
But each spot also forms a credible narrative block of the overarching, building arc and plays off one another in unique, interesting ways. A sexy, funny beer commercial serves as the first date for instance, but consummating the relationship segues into a decadently indulgent commercial for ice cream that guarantees you'll never look at a pint of the dessert in quite the same way again.
The love story at the heart is really quite simple, but the film is also a creative, fascinating experiment in the different visual languages that permeate our media-saturated lives. The language of advertisements are re-appropriated for the more typically immersive demands of narrative filmmaking, making for compelling and even provocative questions about how the tropes of commercialized storytelling both heighten, compress and sometimes trivialize the way we tell and live stories about our lives.
The film isn't an emotionally intimate experience with the couple -- and we never quite "know" the couple or experience their sorrows and joys alongside them in a conventionally cinematic way. But commercials are designed to tug at the heartstrings as well, and when Logan and Allie's story reaches its conclusion through a penultimate tearjerker, it's hard not to feel sadness -- though that feeling is complicated by telling a genuinely emotional story through a hyper-stylized format. Is it the form that's bringing tears to our eyes, or the story? But does it even matter, when the storytelling is this good?
On its most basic level, ADMAN is a well-crafted, witty piece of filmmaking that takes advantage of the heightened commercial form to amuse and entertain. The Callner brothers set up a website designed to look like a director's reel, where users can "remix" the story, see how each spot works on its own and experiment with their own juxtapositions. The entire project is offered in a spirit of great fun and terrific wit, while still posing fascinating questions of just how malleable visual storytelling is -- and by extension, the viewers that watch it.

[@ivalpha_585]

You know there’s at least one good thing to say about ally. She went out on a good note

[@LifebyNathanael]

Not a good note just flat

[@asmo1313]

@@LifebyNathanael B flat

[@pelotasdad]

Whitefang 0406 most excellent punnage.... well played, sir.

[@niapawina]

Woooooooooooooooow

[@HeHe-ir3we]

I can't believe I'm watching adds of my own free will, and actually enjoying it?!!! 😦😍😂

[@imonymous]

Yes but do you feel like buying any of the products?

[@vishweshmanerkar4302]

@@imonymous I would buy Ellie if I could afford her. 😂

[@deborahhanna6640]

I want that dang gum! Bout choked I laughed so hard!

[@lakeishameriez2061]

Ikr when I realized I was like bruh what is this 💀

[@1helderpinto]

Sooo correct

[@pauloketch4635]

I laughed when the piano fell on her then it turned sad real quick

[@thetitoist82]

Paul Oketch yeah

[@Vlasko60]

I was thinking the next scene would be her in the hospital.

[@Jean_1999]

Loosing a wife is pretty sad I would be devestated for months 😰

[@hityeihhityeih674]

Same lol 😂 😭😭

[@todd-makes-videos]

And an open casket after that?

[@philochristos]

Comedies are always tragedies on Omeleto, but I did like the part where that guy got on the bar, smack the guy around, and said, "Get to the point!"

[@mvuto137]

yeah, but what the hell was it that his mom did with her hands??? WTF??? Stop it Mother... just... just STOP!.

[@AggresivelyBenign]

@Fearless Composer can confirm. Source: poor

[@astr0sauce]

@@AggresivelyBenign lmao same

[@EyadishoKahawaki]

Simply a masterpiece But common guys you made me tear at the end

[@jubeju0316]

Same

[@vishweshmanerkar4302]

Same

[@edwardhandley6474]

I thought they were gonna kill the dog or make us watch them get old and die

[@MJJNamalDias]

This film categorized as a comedy film which could possibly makes you cry.

[@robinchristina]

I may or may not have shed a tear during the dog food commercial...

[@wt8918]

Yeah, I was cutting onions for Pho soup I was making during that one.

[@lastmanstanding2622]

You did...and you weren't alone. 😥

[@AnthonyVassallo]

I still do. One of my many favorited. I think this is unique and brilliant. The cookie incident was hilarious.

[@tkathn4301]

oh yeah, same. It was the line about love feeding love. I love, therefore I feed

[@Simes158]

The best 14 minutes and 23 seconds I've spent this year. That was an inspired piece of work!

[@kiajimundi]

HO. LY. SH*T! Dear creator(s) of this short. You are a genius. Thank you.

[@lgjemberslegacygroup5216]

Ok but why does Moira own everything?

[@Blacknight00D]

Wondering if she's Jewish

[@GoldenPantaloons]

@@Blacknight00D God damn you just can't help yourself can you.

[@Blacknight00D]

@@GoldenPantaloons I know. Honest thoughts though

[@hellohowareyou9745]

@@Blacknight00D is that a racist comment...

[@deborawolfsohn6131]

mmm I think it´s just her name, but... on the other hand, that name could be a joke about destiny (?). Moira brought destiny to people in ancient Greek, as the "buy-love-sell-repeat" of her truck

[@SamMorganOfficial]

*sees “Comedy Short Film”* “Cool, I could use a laugh.” *11 minutes pass* *wipes tear*

[@blessed9491]

So true ..laughed n cried in those 14 mins

[@kenzij]

Ben Callner, the director, shouldn't just be doing commercials. With talent like this he should already be heading a major movie studio. I hope Omeleto passes on my sentiments, thanks for this video experience sir. (Props to everyone else that worked on this by the way. I'm no film buff but the acting (human and animal), sound mixing, and script in particular were A+)

[@RaciePSB]

You are a pretty good film critic actually! You could work for any of the entertainment mags doing reviews, easily.

[@eugenetswong]

I don't think that Omeleto cares enough to even read our comments.

[@elliottw5659]

11:58 that face that the actress is portraying plus the background of "perfect day" had me balling for some reason. That feeling of I know it hurts or it's hard right now but you can move on is something so perfectly capture in just one or two frames of this amazingly comical yet meaningful short

[@astr0sauce]

bawling 😭 not ballin 🤑 🏀 i would assume lol

[@Xylarxcode]

Damn, Moira is running a tight ship in that city. Whatever you're trying to do, she's got it handled.

[@k4zum4s4m4]

Moira runs the city...

[@gus473]

You're going to do business with Moira...!

[@helloitsme.5604]

Jewish

[@harperlewis1526]

Moira means fate

[@Prizzy999]

When you're grieving over your loss, there's nothing best than taking care of a doggo, they're not only part of the family, but also a natural healing treatment on four legs. Loved this, very well done! ❤

[@jonnda]

10:32 ...Well, sounds like the piano survived.

[@thisisartman]

Oh come on man.

[@jonnda]

@@thisisartman ;-)

[@tashimohan9433]

Omeleto! You did it again. Great stuff.

[@NYCJordan]

10:15 Got real! I was laughing at 10:10 , felt bad 5 seconds later. Got upset when he kept putting the dog out. Then realized what was going on. Then someone started cutting onions at my house, things got fuzzy. Anyway, that was great! 😂😂😂

[@lilymolly96]

I LOVE how these clips are all built on one another! Made it still like watching a short movie 🍿

[@tietjen666]

Total Brilliance! Seamless, balanced, consistent, meaningful...funny. Very! Well done, everybody thank you'll for this. Favorited!

[@ArielCotton]

This was so well put together. Our lives are truly one big commercial. Went comedy to drama real quick. I loved the connection between him leaving home and being alone to him losing his wife and being alone. The similarities of new found independence and grief/loss/depression. Full circle. That poor baby didn't deserve that glad he came too and started loving on the dog.

[@bab00n15]

"point anchor ale: stick to the point" hahahah

[@Nabooru]

The one thing I can't get out of my head is how Allie was killed by a piano, and the very touching next segment has a musical score largely dominated by ... piano. What a way to commemorate Allie!

[@jiujitsu806]

I was happy to watch a comedy and this almost made me cry. Good show

[@tremaynebennett9476]

That. Was. Brilliant! Very Well put together to the very end.

[@Nomadicmetric]

Can I have three more of these please?! ... but at this quality, I'm not ready to go to sleep yet.

[@monicataylor6145]

Boi, when the old man pops up at 3:44 before he slaps him LOL LOL

[@HomeandHearthHomestead]

That was one of the best ones I've ever seen and yes, I'm still crying.

[@lastmanstanding2622]

What a roller coaster...it started out so fun and funny, then the love and omg, I didn't see that happening. Tears.😢

[@Maracujakeks]

At some point I realized this totally felt like The Sims... at the latest when they were moving out dancing around with the guy's parents and the girl was completely ok with it (before being killed by piano)

[@heyhoexaty]

better writing than GOT S08.

[@lavanya_s_art]

😂 😂

[@allthingshollywood2620]

That's a low bar

[@dejiadeleye3974]

Omeleto does everything right. Drama, Horror, Comedy, Suspense. The Ideas behind these videos are just Phenomenal

[@alison4316]

So good. Concept is *phenomenal* .... I'm crying and laughing at the same time.

[@trevor8755]

I’m sending this video link to all my friends to watch for sure. 👏👏👏bravo

[@kalvinflowers6178]

One if the best shorts I’ve seen to date! Excellent!!!

[@elliottw5659]

I havent experienced this many emotions in such short frame of time in a while. Thanks for the roller coaster!

[@LilAquaticVision]

These are some of the best well crafted commercials I've ever seen in my life Great Job

[@shivamswarnkar6798]

wait, so they really killed of the wife?

[@lucasdelhove1568]

*off (sorry I had to be that guy)

[@njmccormackgmail]

in best roadrunner style😣

[@OneAffected]

OMG, there are a lot of commercials in this video!

[@ajaimitchell9975]

I love the smooth transitions between each commercial

[@veggiesaremurder]

When the guy screamed, "WHO?!" in that high-pitched voice, my dog's ears shot straight up. Hahaha!!!

[@ceciliaw1065]

MY GOD THIS IS AMAZING! My favorite on this channel so far!

[@carollogue8218]

OK. The absolute best Omeleto short of all time! Keep them coming!

[@user-mo3ue1to2o]

That high pitched, "who!"😂😂😂

[@MyEgoMyThoughts]

This was a pretty original one!!!

[@cs5384]

This was weird and somehow wonderful.

[@heccsclips3319]

"Ally" was hot as hell

[@brownieboi1691]

Ikr, want her name

[@piratesfan1]

@@brownieboi1691 Jocelin Donahue

[@3GSPsMT]

Jocelyn Donahue

[@edwardhourihan424]

I have such a crush on her she is too cute to not look at.

[@makeyourown_film]

This one is brilliant!!

[@padmaisonaroll8613]

An incredible masterpiece! I loved this so so so much!

[@chiboy2968]

I paused after the ice cream bit to say... The creativity is out of this world!!! I just found this channel like a week ago and I’m lovin’ all the videos!

[@lkkpov]

This was terrific! Every story, every scene well produced. Awesome guys!

[@photelegy]

When advertisement is more touching than some of the most expensive blockbusters 😅

[@AbhinandanPalMIKE]

Loved...it...one of the best short films I have ever watched ..

[@fieuline2536]

One of my favorite short films on this channel!!

[@byteseq]

That was actually some of the best commersials I have ever seen :)

[@gremlin4005]

this is incredible 🥺

[@manasathamatani8614]

One of the best pieces of art I've ever seen.

[@TwistedAllieOreo]

this was one of the weirdest most unexpected things I was NOT looking to watch today...... and I loved it hahaha so funny

[@Ben-yx8rc]

Really surprised that this video doesn't have more views. Very creative and entertaining.

[@kadiawilliamson8187]

This was really good and I love the transitions with the music.

[@destroya.5868]

Wow! You knocked that one out of the park! That was by far the best and funniest short I’ve seen! Thumbs up and subscribe for that!

[@D-Dollie]

It’s 5.57 am, couldn’t sleep all night and this just made me cry at the end 😢. It started really good, I was smiling and now I am crying.

[@softlightlaboratory]

5:57

[@gemexplorers1528]

The death and grief got me. I miss you too Alie

[@kirleysrowl9445]

And here I thought this would be finally something without unexpectedly emotional ending. Boy was I wrong.

[@darkseid856]

I am not even towards the half of the video and it's already a comedy gold .

[@kevinthompson9624]

Busted my heart. You got me.

[@apurvatidke4123]

Pure genius!! Beautiful, packed with a punch and quite unexpected! Bravo!

[@filmreviewer117]

Outstanding work from everyone involved.

[@smurp_com]

Hilarious, brilliant and tragic!?! There is both serious craft and remarkable genius at work here.

[@yavor_zlatanov]

freakin hillarious and original. kudos to this team

[@MitchellWCheek]

And yes, they have do it again. Love it.

[@jaybingham3711]

Great concept. Excellent execution. Kudos.

[@apatameh5155]

Just...….LOVE!! Amazing. Thank you for this!!!

[@wyioughta]

Best ive seen in a bit. Flows true. Who what when where and how...and how. Bravo!

[@axertified]

Absolutely gripping! Well done

[@adtc]

This is an amazing concept!

[@minimochi2206]

*@**2:46** - @**2:50* *"who?... WHO?!!!!!"* *LMAO*

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

This is sheer GENIUS. Thanks.

[@JeffSchall]

This was so good in a multi-level way. Very unique and touching.

[@cartoonplanettv]

Me: Oh finally a comedy short film, i need some laughter after all these sad films i've watched. This short film: yeah, sure.

[@fridonina]

What a wonderful master piece, thank you!

[@margretjakobsdottir9104]

This is just so cute❤️

[@GodiscomingBhappy]

hilarious!!! loved it!! thank you!

[@canvasfaces]

that was brilliant! loved every bit of it

[@marijanetarot9843]

This is literally perfect.

[@jonnn67]

I didnt know i could cry like that Oh My God it was funny yet heartwarming. Leterally sobing when she died i thought it was a joke

[@rubenvaldes7392]

Extremely creative! Great job!

[@jrunnels04]

This was absolutely brilliant.

[@nwp9062]

Well done. So much of life in a short.

[@JOBRAIL1]

HILARIOUS! I almost coughed up a lung

[@dananabread6632]

These are so good!

[@jorianx2197]

That was genius! Felt like a whole movie

[@chapstickwarrior9277]

This was such an original idea! Also loved that music transition at 8:07

[@LCee7]

Hella Brilliant, well done!

[@darrenw.taylor2084]

Emotion captures attention. Very well done!

[@prodigal_plus4119]

Bravo to Omeleto. I thought I've seen it all but this gets a definite 10 out of 10 mahn. Very creative of them👏👏

[@zacharhia]

Damn, the calling out to Ally when he found the half-eaten cookies in the box got me good...

[@petefinn4914]

well done.....great concept....