Sam Ketay of bicoastal international Crossroads directs eight time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps for language learning center Rosetta Stone via VGS Creative. Director Sam Katay comments, "We had so little time with Phelps and about eight set ups which gave us no choice but to work quickly and to nail everything in two or three shots. The comedy scenarios were a lot of fun to do with Phelps because he was such a great sport. How many star athletes are willing to rip off tear away jeans? Shooting the swimming at a small shutter angle for effect, I wanted as much movement of water and for Phelps to be really going at it 100%. He kind of laughed at that and told me he only knows of one way to swim." NY-based Crossroads EP Sharon Lew notes, "Sam is just so great with talent... there was a tremendous amount of pressure to get the right shots quickly and he truly rose to the challenge."

In Fast, Phelps divulges his need for speed throughout everyday tasks such as walking his dog, cooking meals, and of course, swimming. Learning Mandarin prior to the Beijing Olympics was imperative for Phelps, and Rosetta Stone allowed him to do so at his own comfortable pace.

The Creds:
Client: Rosetta Stone
Spot Title: Fast
Air Date: Olympics 2008

Agency: VGS Creative
CD, AD: Jeff Vogt
CD, CW: Rob Slosberg
AD: Matt Songer and Hill Cheuk
Producer: Alice Chevalier

Prod Company: Crossroads
Director: Sam Ketay
EP(s): Camille Taylor, Peter Abraham Producer: Ron Cicero

Editorial: Cut + Run
Editor: Merritt Duff
Producer: Angie Aguilera

Telecine: The Syndicate
Colorist: Jeremy Sawyer

Shoot Location: Ann Arbor, MI

About Crossroads:

A multimedia and content creation firm, Crossroads offers a clear vision, innovative leadership, and unparalleled reach into the entertainment talent pool. With headquarters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, and an affiliate office in Toronto, Crossroads has six divisions: Film, Television, Commercials, Music Videos, New Media, and Creative Services. All offer exclusive talent featuring some of the world's top directors, show creators, writers, and producers.

Founded in 1989, Crossroads has been a consistent leader in the development and production of feature films and television programming, as well as producing award-winning commercial and music video content for top-tier brands, agencies and performing artists.

For more, go to www.crossroadsfilms.com

About VGS Creative:

VGS Creative is an adverting and marketing firm with a strong focus on outstanding creative. Hence the word "Creative" in close proximity to the VGS. They are based in Westport, CT and do a broad base of work (TV, Web, Radio, Print, Collateral) for a variety of clients including Nokia, Rosetta Stone and Skip Barber.