Behind the scenes at a McDonald's photo shoot

[Michael Stora]

Interesting.

The model burger is stacked leaning away from the viewer to expose the layers. Also the ingredients are heavily placed on the camera size so that a small piece of bread is needed in back to hold the top bun level.



Mike

[Raddog]

I thought that McDonalds looked familiar, because I drive past it everyday, then they go to the studio and notice that I installed the ductwork at that studio (spiral pipe hanging) wow double whammy in one video.
Cheers Ray

[DMW]

Did you get a chance to meet Noah the "food stylist"?

[Raddog]

Nope, it was a construction site when I was there.
Cheers Ray

[AC Bill]

In many ways I always consider McD's, and others using this method to advertise thier products, a form of false advertising. It's not like it's a doctored picture for recipe in a cook book. It's my fault if it doesn't turn out like the photo..

These are pictures being used to sell a product. If other company's did this, there would be a huge outrage by the consumers. They purchase something, based on how it looks in an advert, then turns out to look completely different, when they get it.

You see this for sale, and you get this, when you buy it..

[Jim Bochicchio]

Having worked as an advertising photographer, for one of the world's largest agencies (company at issue here being one account) , I can tell you they left out many techniques.
She uses food coloring here. Before the FTC got involved, women's make up and other chemicals were used to enhance the products.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by AC Bill

In many ways I always consider McD's, and others using this method to advertise thier products, a form of false advertising. It's not like it's a doctored picture for recipe in a cook book. It's my fault if it doesn't turn out like the photo..

These are pictures being used to sell a product. If other company's did this, there would be a huge outrage by the consumers. They purchase something, based on how it looks in an advert, then turns out to look completely different, when they get it.

You see this for sale, and you get this, when you buy it..

You want to have fun??? Take a copy of a Subway, Quizno's etc. flier with you and walk into the store. Order the sandwich that is on the coupon etc. and when they hand you what they made, say "No, I want one that looks just like this one" pointing to the ad copy. "This is what you're saying the sandwich looks like, I just want what you've advertised."

They probably won't be able to comply so it's up to you to either accept the inferior product or walk out.

Ray

[Jim Gunther]

FWIW: I think it's pretty cool that McDs took folks behind the scenes.

I sure if ANYBODY wrapped a burger in paper, cardboard, foil, or foam the burger would look "different.

I seldom go the McDs but, when I do, it's a consistent and predictable product. That's why they're a success!

[Mike D]

Oh come on people, we're all adults here so this stuff should be no surprise. This is like complaining that your wife doesn't look the same way on any given Monday morning than she looked in the wedding pictures.

[MVM]

Anyone remember the Michael Douglas movie "Falling Down"? In his rampage as a laid off aerospace worker on his way home, he stops in at a burger place and demands a burger that looks just like the one in the ads he sees every day. More people should do that, without the guns of course.

[ROB J]

You couldn't pay me to eat that fast food crap. I also doubt she eats that crap her company makes either.

[ROB J]

Originally Posted by MVM

Anyone remember the Michael Douglas movie "Falling Down"? In his rampage as a laid off aerospace worker on his way home, he stops in at a burger place and demands a burger that looks just like the one in the ads he sees every day. More people should do that, without the guns of course.

Loved that movie, one of my favorites. "I'm with you man!"

[lynnhowlyn]

Originally Posted by Jim Bochicchio

Having worked as an advertising photographer, for one of the world's largest agencies (company at issue here being one account) , I can tell you they left out many techniques.
She uses food coloring here. Before the FTC got involved, women's make up and other chemicals were used to enhance the products.

Sorta off the topic, but I've been there - done that ... sorta.

Much much earlier in my career, i worked for a major LA-based Pet food company - and was on set for filming of of some TV spots that showed some of the meats and other ingredients included in the products.

Setting aside concerns and comments re: supposed 'crap', by-products and the like that's used in Pet foods (and which is a whole 'nother discussion ) - the TV people (as opposed to the ad agency people) had an attorney on the set and he had a copy of the product recipe.

The attorney's job was to ensure that the ingredient portrayals shown in commercial was the same as the ratio of ingredients in the actual products. In other words, there had to be the same ratio of meat (chicken, beef, pork or etc) to grains etc ... not just show lots of meat and little grains or vice versa.

I was amazed (and pleased) at the attention to accuracy.

YMMV

Lynn