T-BALL MAYHEM

Directed by Liam Elias

ExtraMile Brand® | Scholar

the story

Who needs caffeine more than a T-ball coach? ☕⚾ For this ExtraMile® spring spot, we dropped into Jose’s world where the drama of a Saturday game unfolds in glorious slow motion, opera-worthy and slightly unhinged. From the steamy hero shot of a MILE ONE Coffee® to the chaos ballet of kids somersaulting past first base, this film was built for cinematic flair and barely contained mayhem.

This spot was all about building the tension of the almost-sip. That one perfect moment where Jose is just inches away from finally tasting his coffee. I focused on lighting and composition to heighten that anticipation, framing the chaos around him like a Renaissance painting, carefully composed, full of movement, and loaded with drama. Making the ordinary, everyday moment feel epic.

THE ART OF COMPOSED
CHAOS

This was had all sorts of technical challenges. Pulling off the big chaotic reveal at the end without giving it all away too soon—while still making sure the product got its well-deserved spotlight. Originally, the plan was simple, kids running wild as Jose casually sips his MILE ONE Coffee®. But I wanted more structure, more intention, something art-directed, cinematic, and clear. So I thought, how would I shoot this in real life?

I imagined mounting the camera on a programmable rig, running it at 3x speed so the world moves in slow motion while the camera glides at normal pace. That idea gave us this beautiful contrast, a choreographed dance between kinetic mayhem and buttery camera movement. It let us highlight the characters’ performances in a way that felt both controlled and totally unhinged.

Slow motion was key. It wasn’t just for style, it was about giving every kid their moment. You really feel the girl’s dreamy cartwheel, her braids floating like they’re in zero gravity. You see the dirt kick up behind the diving kid, that dramatic puff of impact dust. And Jose? We framed his coffee moment like a Death Star reveal, up close, huge, loaded with tension. I wanted every movement to feel unexpected, larger than life, and unapologetically ExtraMan®.

This one was all about building rhythm and restraint—holding the chaos just long enough to let the reveal land like a punchline. It’s bold, ridiculous, and kind of beautiful. Just how I like it.