Written by on Mar 12, 2013. Posted in Production News

Skunk films runaway train rescue on location in Romania for Jameson Whiskey

Skunk doubled Romania and the Bulgarian coast for 19th Century Northern Ireland in a new spot for Jameson Whiskey. Iron Horse features John Jameson rescuing a cargo of whiskey barrels and women from a runaway train before it plunges over a cliff top.

Filming took place near the Transylvanian city of Sibiu in central Romania, and briefly on the Bulgarian coastline, after considering places like Ireland, Prague, Argentina and New Zealand. A small-gauge railway line called Mocanita, used now only for occasional tours, proved useful to the production team after some renovation work.

“The village seen in the spot was heavily dressed and modified to set the period,” says Robert Valdes, Head of Production at TBWA\Chiat\Day New York: “The pub that John Jameson eats his breakfast in was a stable that was converted floor-to-ceiling into a beautifully detailed interior and exterior location.”

“The location set build was relatively moderate,” adds Scott Craig, Producer for Skunk, “except the building of the hero train which was basically built from the ground up, excluding the train tracks.”

Working with animals and getting mobile phone service were the biggest challenges of the shoot. “All of those things do what they want, when they want,” Valdes adds.

Credits:
Client: Jameson Whiskey
Agency: TBWA\Chiat\Day New York
Creative Directors: Kris Wixom and Alisa Sengel Wixom
Head of Production: Robert Valdes
Production Company: Skunk, Los Angeles
Producer: Scott Craig
Executive Producers: Matt Factor and Shelly Townsend
Production Service Company: Domino Productions, Bucharest
Line Producer: Ileana Anghel
Director of Photography: Linus Sandgren
Director: John Hillcoat