reposted from Throwdown Industries’ news section.
I traveled to Valencia CA to visit the set of the NIKE commercial filmed on Sunday March 9th featuring THROWDOWN Army members Rampage Jackson & Jay White. The commercial is entitled “Human Chain” and I cannot disclose any details about the commercial other than that along with Rampage and Jay, the commercial will also feature the following superstar athletes: Maria Sharapova, LeBron James, Ronaldinho and LaDainian Tomlinson. This is NIKE’s second commercial featuring MMA athletes (first was with Randy Couture) and based on the set that they built and the production involved for the MMA segment, they went all out for it.
Jay and I arrived to the set at the scheduled call time that Jay was given by the producers and with daylight savings time, this was early. Since this was Jay’s first time in a commercial of this magnitude we didn’t want to be late. I called Rampage and asked what time he was scheduled to arrive and he was at the car wash having his Audi R8 detailed in Orange County over an hour away from the shoot. “Man I can’t be pullin’ up to my first NIKE commercial with a dirty car”. Whoever his detailer is they did a phenomenal job, check out the shine on the R8!
Since Jay and I had time to kill, we walked around to try and locate the production manager. While we were waiting for him to arrive, Herb Dean, celebrity MMA referee, walked up to us and said (obviously referring to Jay), “you guys look like fighters, I think you’re with me”. Herb was cast as the MMA referee in the commercial segment and it was Jay’s and my first time meeting him and he is one very cool guy. He also told us this was his commercial debut as well.
The production manager arrived shortly thereafter and led Jay and Herb to their trailers (actually more like closets), but at least we didn’t have to sit outside with the extras. We were all we laughing because the trailers had “Herb D” and “Jay W” written on the doors.
The trailers featured a plush plaid bench seat and well, that was about it. After sitting in there for a few minutes and realizing that it was more comfortable outside than inside, we headed to the catering van to eat. No pizza or cold cut sandwiches served here! We had choices of Korean BBQ, seared ahi tuna, teriyaki chicken, pot stickers, coconut curry rice, salads and deserts. Good stuff! After eating, the production manager showed us Rampage’s “trailer” which was a luxury condo on wheels. White leather couches and chairs, flat screen TVs, refrigerator & freezer, espresso machine and air conditioning!
Since Rampage wasn’t scheduled to arrive for another hour, Jay and I decided to hang out in his trailer and prepare it for his arrival so I loaded up the fridge with Throwdown Rampage Punch Energy Drinks while Jay kept the couch warm.
When Rampage arrived, I showed him the new April 2008 issue of Maxim that he was in that arrived in my mailbox the day before. After checking it out, he, Jay and Herb headed to wardrobe to pick up their outfits.
After changing it was off to the set to film! This is where my detailed reporting and photos stop since I have been sworn to secrecy by the production manager and director. All I can tell you is that Rampage, Jay and Herb filmed, and filmed, and filmed and filmed for hours and Juanito Ibarra was onsite as the expert MMA action consultant. Luckily I brought enough Throwdown Energy Drinks for the crew and actors because it was a long day!
After completing the filming, Juanito, Rampage, Jay and Herb were winding down in the trailer and Juanito asked them, “Can you believe you guys just did a NIKE commercial?”. It was a surreal to all of them but this commercial is a sign that the sport of MMA is arriving! Rampage and Jay starring in the same commercial as LeBron, Sharapova, L.T. and Ronaldinho is a huge step for the sport and its athletes!
The commercial airs in May 08 so look out for it!
Signing off
-Throwdown Intelligence Officer
*all images property of Throwdown Industries and Jay White
