I’m all for the Minneapolis Saint Paul Regional Development Partnership. I buy the idea that metro areas are the right unit for economic competition, and our collective brand could use some sprucing up. I think this video is good. But there are some interesting choices here.
0:00 - Outsiders think that MN is flyover country? Let’s start with a rapturous shot of a cornfield.
0:16 - After a farmstead out of context, a sailboat out of context.
0:22 - Until… the reveal! There are many sailboats here. You will not be alone in your sailboat.
0:33 - But! You will have to watch out for trains as you cross the tracks to reach the marina. Just trying to set expectations nice and low here. Don’t worry, the train goes very, very… slowly.
0:41 - Maybe you don’t think cornfields when you think MN, maybe you think forest. We got them, too.
0:43 - Sike! Cul de sacs! With big houses and… EVEN SWIMMING POOLS.
0:59 - Bicycling Magazine said that about Minneapolis, not the region, but, whatever, go ahead. Sit back and enjoy the variety of buildings we put near water.
1:16 - Self-evidently amazing statistic. Do executives care if a lot of other (regular) people golf? If I was an executive, I would not - stay off my course.
1:23 - Do you like to sail? Just checking again. No? How about tugboats?
1:36 - BAM! Enough of that sissy nature stuff, SKYLINE! Progress! Another skyline! Same one? Obligatory light rail shot. Highway interchange! Have they figured out connecting highways where you live? We have…
1:54 - Stereotypical bland suburban subdivision, and… ballfields in slight drought conditions. Garrison Keillor? Whoa there, comrade. Public school? I’m rich!
2:06 - My favorite shot. Are you Catholic? Wanna see that steeple… from ABOVE? We have a helicopter!
2:10 - How about the Como Zoo for less than a second? Maybe they could tell it’s a zoo if some shots weren’t taken from this one altitude.
2:15 - Suburban corporate headquarters, check. Dramatic reveal of Lake Calhoun marina into skyline, check.
2:33 - It’s tricky to shoot this much footage of downtown Minneapolis from above without acknowledging the Metrodome.
2:39 - I guess when you shoot the MOA, you should focus on the parking lot, but I can’t say it feels right.
2:44 - Have you ever seen an amusement park… NEXT TO A RIVER?
2:55 - Did that river seem small to you? Don’t worry, we got em big, too. Isn’t that statistic about Minnesota overall? Nevermind!
3:03 - St Thomas shown before the U - huh. We’re still guessing you’re Catholic!
3:24 - You will not hear a sarcastic peep out of me about this 1st stunt - I’d do it, too. Cymbal crash to boot.
3:40 - A much better shot of the Mall.
3:54 - 4:20 - Over 25 seconds of skyscraper close-ups - I feel uncomfortable. Do we think you’re from Saskatoon?
4:26 - Prosperity happens here… because of the State Capitol? That doesn’t feel true, exactly. I read the paper. And is that slogan grammatically correct? Huh. I thought and think that Minnesota is too cold, but apparently there’s no snow.
