ABSTRACT
United rose above the clutter. It's not unusual for an airline to rise; airplanes do that every day. But it isn't every day that an airline's commercial is said to be the most charming film clip among the many film clips shown at an Academy Awards telecast. United Airlines’ “Interview” received such praise. 1 As George Gershwin's “Rhapsody in Blue,” United's long-time theme song, played in a “lovely, inspiring, understated piano rendition,” Oscar-nominated animators Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis provided the visuals. The spot substituted music and visuals for dialogue to tell the story of a young job applicant's misadventures when he flies to an interview. It lifted United above the clutter and even soared above the clips of the nominated films with its unique look and rapturous conclusion—after the interview, the man's cell phone vibrates as the important call comes in, his face lights up, he celebrates his success.
