Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/23459
THE WINNERS OF BLUE ANGEL VODKA’S SAN FRANCISCO VIRTUAL COCKTAIL COMPETITION CAPTURE A Miracle Moment F by Deborah Parker Wong rom a strong field of entries that included a daring escape from Alcatraz and a couple of thirsty canines, barman Adam Feibelman of San Francisco’s 330 Ritch, in collaboration with videographer and fel- low barman Miles Palliser, created the video that best answered Blue Angel Vodka’s question: “How do you BAM?” Feibelman, who is a fine artist by day, decided on a “plight- and-plea” approach to the creative, and Palliser’s filmmak- ing background enabled them to capture their portrayal of a miracle moment with a Sony Webbie camcorder in a single take. “Humor was our goal but when you watch a narrative, you want it to be believ- able,” says Feibelman, who employed the belief that angels can create miracles as the means to justify magic. Having done some impro- visational acting didn’t hurt Feibelman’s performance as a regular guy who finds himself stranded on a rooftop and longing for a Blue Angel Martini (BAM). His fervent prayers to the Blue Angel are answered in part when the ingredients magically appear and are granted in full by a comical hailstorm of olives that complete the cocktail. A silent film score lends drama and a retro feel to Feibelman’s silent vaudevillian performance. In addition to creating a hilarious BAM moment, the filmmakers succeeded in capturing the tongue-in-cheek spirit of the brand. For their efforts, the duo took home a $1,000 cash prize and an Argo scooter courtesy of THE TASTING PANEL and Blue Angel, the new vodka developed by industry veteran Maurice Kanbar. In conjunction with THE TASTING PANEL, Blue Angel is launching a nationwide virtual cocktail competition designed to leverage the power of social media and create a wave of visibility for the brand. “Blue Angel is good on the rocks, and it’s already gaining trac- tion in San Francisco,” observes Feibelman, who was surprised to hear calls across the bar at 330 Ritch for the fledgling brand. The company’s wildly ambitious goal—or WAG—is that 99 percent of the bartenders in the United States will recognize the call for a BAM, whether or not they stock Blue Angel Vodka. As for who gets the Argo, the filmmakers are planning to own it co-operatively, but the first one with a motorcycle license will take the inaugural ride. Adam Feibelman of San Francisco’s 330 Ritch. PHOTO: TOM ZASADZINSKI PHOTO: DEBORAH PARKER WONG