Super Bowl commercials do not run cheap. Last year a 30-second slot ran on average for about $2.5 million, according to an article in USA Today. However, one former Ball State University student and his team might see their commercial for Doritos air for free.
Franklin "Skeeter" Hines, who graduated from Ball State in December with a telecommunications degree, and his team entered the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Contest and won $10,000 because their commercial was top five out of more than 1,000 entries.
The five finalists will travel to Miami for a private viewing of Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, and the grand prize is seeing the commercial air during Super Bowl XLI, according to the contest Web site.
"This contest combines our love for film, comedy and football," Hines said. "It was only natural that we get involved."
The contest Web site says Doritos wanted aspiring film makers, snack enthusiasts and just bored people who own cameras to submit their very own commercials for the product. The rules were that each commercial had to be exactly 30 seconds with no swearing, no nudity and no violent or offensive themes, and it had to be completed by Dec. 5.-á
Hines works as a production assistant for Transit Films, a production company run by the five Herbert brothers. They formed a team of 19 people and filmed two commercials: "Ultimatum" and "Duct Tape." Both of these videos were included in the top eight, and "Duct Tape" made it to the top five.
"We are overwhelmed with excitement," Hines said. "We never predicted two would be in the top 16 yet alone the top eight.-áThere are a lot of great commercials in the contest."
To decide the winner, anyone can go online and vote for their favorite video until Jan. 19. Hines and his team won't find out whether they won until the commercial is aired during Super Bowl XLI.
Hines said he plans to continue his work with other activities of these kinds.
"We are hoping this contest will lead to more commercial opportunities," Hines said. "Then hopefully that will lead to the chance to shoot a full length film."
Nancy Carlson, chairperson of the telecommunications department, said she supports Hines.
"If this commercial gets aired that included a Ball State TCOM member, it shows that students who get involved can succeed," Carlson said.-á"These individuals can become famous off of this opportunity if it is aired."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
