Park Pictures’ Lisa Rubisch Urges Togetherness Through the Political Storm for HP

Bicoastal production company Park Pictures and director Lisa Rubisch have partnered with HP Inc. and Zac&Adam to nod to the current tense political climate in the topical holiday short film “Togetherness.” In the film, a holiday family gathering has an undercurrent of trepidation and the spectre of current events haunting the gathering. The joys of reunion and festivities quickly give way to a common scenario faced in many households today: the heated political debate. While keeping political leanings and details vague, Rubisch communicates that many family members hold opposite viewpoints, causing tempers to flare. The altercation forces the wife and mother from the table after a clash with her sister.

The story ends on a more hopeful note through the wisdom of one of the children. After a daughter posts a collage of family photos on the fridge, both sisters realise that their bonds as siblings and role-models are stronger than any difference of opinion. The camera pans from the house as one sister extends a peace offering of holiday pie to the other, and the tagline: “If we never reach out, we’ll never come together.” 

The raw and honest spot serves as a reminder that families should work to come together through social strife, no matter one’s politics or opinions.

Creative Director Adam Groves noted: “When we were making the film, everyone in the cast and on the crew kept telling us how much they could relate to the story. That's how we knew we had something special. It's honest and real, which makes it stand out amongst a lot of the films you see from brands this time of year.”

Rubisch began her booming directorial career with MTV, where she helmed spots and campaigns for clients including the MTV Movie Awards featuring Samuel L. Jackson, which won a Bronze Pencil from The One Show, and her PSA “Paper Doll", which garnered multiple awards. Other high-profile commercial and music video clients include Nike, Puma, Ikea, Fidelity, Coors, The Travel Channel, Chobani, Hershey and Wells Fargo, as well as the viral ad “Fish Market” for Foster’s Beer, which won a Gold Pencil from The One Show. Recent commercial spots include campaigns for Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Ikea.