ABOUT

Hello!
Everybody loves good old Saint Nicholas.
Spreading joy and love to every home for as
long as we can remember.

But systems at the North Pole haven’t changed that much over the past hundred
or so years. In 2023, elf workshops and magic reindeer sleighs aren’t the only ways
to speed presents around the world and land them in a stocking. So there’s a lot
the jolly old man can learn can learn from our modern Aussie Post workers about
delivering presents the practical way.
Of course, given that good old Father X is hiding out in Oz, he’s going to keep his
identity on the down low. He’s like an Undercover Boss gone next level. Talk about
a Secret Santa! (Though actually not-so-secret, since he can’t help but give the
game away.)
There’s a delightful simplicity to this campaign which all rests on the relationship
between this iconic character and our average Aussie postie, Alex. A kind and
generous hard worker who we can all relate to, who is a bit confused by the new
intern’s take on things. Who does this guy think he is?
It’s my favourite style, ordinary people in a world just a nudge away from reality. I
know this campaign is going to be a cracker...

Tone & Approach
We bring our world across through our natural, observational style. Everything that
isn’t Santa-related is grounded in reality - in particular, Alex should be played dry
and straight. It’s her responses to the strange behaviour of Nick that provides the
energy for the comedy – she doesn’t entertain the notion that Nick is Santa, but he
sure does have his quirks.
I think the eBay Tuesday spots that I did with Danielle Walker are a good reference
point for how Alex and other characters around Nick should be played. The eccentric
behaviour of Nick is just something you shrug off. No judgement here – you do you!
We’re building a world here, the 30 second spot is a little film which develops a story
out of this independent scenes, and we then drive that home with the more pointed
15 seconders (and 6 second cutdowns), which each give us a single Santa twist on
an Australia Post service.
These shorter spots are single gags and I’ll want to shoot them so that they work
as classic comedy – a setup and a twist. For these to land with an audience who
may not have seen the 30, we need to quickly convey Nick as Santa. Partly that can
be done with costuming cues, but we also make that instant connection with our
performer embodying Mr Claus.

Characters
We’ve got the basis here for a great comedy double act. It all starts with the talent,
getting that dynamic right so that the timing and rhythm is spot on. I often find
comedians work best, as the good ones not only have perfect comic timing and
experience in connecting with an audience, but can also keep their performances
authentic and real, with expressions that reveal those inner foibles that we all have.
Our expert casting agent always finds talent that’s just right for the campaign.
We’d like to use that casting process to look for opportunities to play with and tease
out added comic opportunities in these scenarios. A little variation on behaviour,
an ad-lib, you never know what might spin a good idea into comedy gold. I’d like
to capture as many moments as possible on the day to give us plenty of options
to create material in the edit.

Story
Nick The Intern
We open on Mrs Claus and Santa at home in the North Pole. Snow outside the
window, a fire in the hearth, and a very winter Christmassy vibe.
We push in to a two shot. Santa looks a little worried, on his feet as Mrs Claus looks
over. Perhaps she’s pulling a tray of cookies out of the oven? Santa shrugs. Mrs Claus
speaks matter-of-factly, but with insight.
Mrs Claus: No chimneys? You must find out how they do it, love.
Close-up on Santa as he ponders what she’s suggesting.
We switch location while staying close on Santa, who’s now dropped his classic hat
and trimmed his hair a little.
He’s now standing in an Australia Post office space, next to an Australia Post manager.
Santa’s swapped his suit for a casual shirt and black trousers, both of which are a
bit too tight around his considerable girth. He’s doing his best to disguise himself
but it’s not very successful - he’s still instantly recognisable as Santa. We could
consider having him already in his hi-vis shirt here.
The office manager, oblivious to this beardy fellow’s true nature, introduces him to
a postie - Alex. She’s friendly and ready for work.
Manager: So this is our new intern, Nick.
As Alex and “Nick” shake hands, Alex squints at his face – something about this guy
looks familiar.
Alex: Have we met?
Nick shuts her down quickly. Perhaps he tries to bunch his beard up.
Nick: Nope.
Cut to a view from the front of an Australia Post van, with Alex driving and Nick in the
passenger seat, both wearing hi-vis vests. Nick gazes around the streets in wide-
eyed wonder.
Alex: So this is my route.