About the commercial crew on Alki Avenue

(Photo sent by Brendan)

Thanks for the tips! Another film/video crew was at work along Alki Avenue today, along Duwamish Head with the downtown skyline as a backdrop. Passing by, Brendan (who sent the top photo) noticed apparent performers/participants in workout clothing and wondered if it was a commercial for that type of gear. We went over to check a little while ago.

(WSB photo)

The crew was winding down when we got there but they told us it’s a commercial for Heinz Mayonnaise. No other details. (We’ll ask the company tomorrow.)

10:42 PM P.S. As implausible as “mayonnaise” sounds, perhaps it was – two commenters suggest that was likely a lie.

Shufflerunner July 28, 2021 (7:48 pm)

If there is one thing I definitely want after working out down by the water it’s a tall frosty glass of mayonnaise.

Roxy July 28, 2021 (8:50 pm)

I work on commercials. We usually have to sign NDA’s which prohibits us from talking about what we’re shooting. Curious people walking by often ask what we’re doing. Sometimes they even badger us when we can’t tell them. To avoid this, we simply say “mayonnaise commercial” which is boring and bland and people don’t care so they move on quickly. The deception isn’t meant to be mean – just to keep spectators disinterested and moving along.

WSB July 28, 2021 (8:57 pm)

Well, we’ve been walking up to scenes like this, identifying ourselves as media, and usually getting accurate if brief answers – or sometimes “no comment” – for almost 15 years now. If “mayonnaise” is a made-up thing, I’d think we’d have heard that one before; if this really was a lie, I’m disappointed. No need to lie, just say you can’t say. – TR

cjboffoli July 28, 2021 (10:37 pm)

Yeah Tracy, I think you should have looked down to see which leg was being pulled. I’ve definitely worked with production people who have used that mayonnaise commercial line. It’s the perfect answer for the reasons that Roxy describes above.

WSB July 28, 2021 (10:47 pm)

Given that the last crew seen shooting in the vicinity was a city-funded crew making a video with a fish puppet, anything’s possible. But we are now duly forewarned.

WSRez July 28, 2021 (11:34 pm)

I had been downtown near the library a couple months ago and walked through a commercial shoot for Hoka shoes. Not sure if it’s the same crew but they had people in workout clothes. I pieced it together because their shoes were the brightest white I’d seen and I googled the production company on the no parking signs.

Elton July 28, 2021 (11:34 pm)

I’m just curious: don’t you normally need permits to shoot like this? Would that not be public record and reveal who’s at least running the shoot? Not that knowing in this case is super important, this is just for my own curiosity :)

WSB July 29, 2021 (1:53 am)

Yes, there are permits involved for, for example, the no-parking signs. The city’s visible records, however, don’t include the details, just that permit #xxx was issued for xxx address on xxx date. (Details would of course be discoverable via a public-disclosure request, which could take weeks or months to fulfill.) One of the “skills” in which we’ve become proficient is reading no-parking signs; they often have hints, such as a production company’s name, but in this case, a neighborhood observer tells us, the one-word explanation was “filming.”
- tania July 29, 2021 (9:37 am)
  
  The permit is usually issued to the Production company, which in many commercial cases, is a local company that is working with a high profile client (like Nike, Hoka, etc), so you might never find out what the product is from the permitting. Like Roxy above, I also work on commercials and the “mayonnaise” line pre-dates my start in this industry in 2003. I don’t think it’s specific to Seattle, but I agree just saying that you signed an NDA is more transparent.There’s lots of us production folks here in West Seattle / White Center, so I’m just grateful to see work returning after the pandemic hiatus!
Jay July 29, 2021 (10:16 am)

A lot of the time it’s just a random company hired to shoot B-roll or green screen background for shows set in Seattle but filmed in LA or Toronto. You know how you’ll be watching a show and they’ll have fun city scenes with no actors and music to establish atmosphere and location then they cut to an indoor scene? They just hire a local production company to shoot that and send it in.

I was there yesterday biking home and I agree with the commenter below who suggested a running product commercial.

Victoria July 29, 2021 (12:00 am)

I was running past during that time and think it might have been HOKA shoes commercial since there were two professionally dressed runners . 100% dressed in HOKA shoes and apparel and they were filming them running. But that is based on my observation.

WSB July 29, 2021 (2:36 am)

Thanks, have just sent their PR department an inquiry…
waikikigirl July 29, 2021 (4:40 am)

Just looked at Hoka’s website…they’re stuff is CUTE! Just wish I was young again and skinny (was I ever???) to wear those things, either way CUTE!

MC July 29, 2021 (10:23 am)

I heard it was a ‘Manny’s’ commercial, so I hurried down to see if I could scam a free pint. No such luck.

Weston July 29, 2021 (11:34 am)

I was working at a pub and someone ordered a Manny’s but the server thought they said mayonnaise and brought them a side of mayo.

HS July 29, 2021 (10:35 am)

I’m going to start using “mayonnaise” as my catch-catch all defer/distract word as well. 😂

Lamont July 29, 2021 (2:09 pm)

boss: “what are you working on?”

me: “adding some mayo to this code.”

jortish July 29, 2021 (2:40 pm)

Katherine July 29, 2021 (3:43 pm)

From the West Seattle Runner group…sounds like it was a Hoka One One shoot as they were giving shout-outs to runners wearing Hoka’s and they were all in Hoka gear….

Sorry, comment time is over.