Midnight snack

Midnight Snack is a 60 second spec commercial project showcasing Claussen pickles. Directed by Adam C Bartlett, the spot shows Devin, who arrived to his grandparent's house late from out of town, who’s hungry while trying to fall asleep. He decides to get up and make a sandwich, but something's missing.

This concept lived in my head for a couple years before we finally brought it to life. I was inspired by the moody nighttime imagery of Gregory Crewdson, Philip-Lorca diCorcia’s iconic photograph of a man staring into the refrigerator, and even Garfield, whose late-night sandwich-making felt both absurd and strangely cinematic. I wanted to turn that feeling into a narrative-style commercial for a brand I genuinely love, and I approached the project primarily as a director, focusing on story, performance, and tone.

From the location, props, and wardrobe to the shot list and treatment, I guided every element toward a clear vision. Production presented its share of challenges, including location occupancy limits that required us to rewrite the script and adapt when we lost a cast member. Because I had a strong understanding of the idea and the feeling we were trying to create, I was able to make quick decisions that kept the project on track and ensured every choice served the final film.

It was a joy to collaborate with all of the following fellow artists who made this project possible:

DP Michael Kinsey, Set Dressing by Nidia Cueva, Food Styling by Christiane Hur, Wardrobe by Ashley Perry, Grooming by Julie Figueroa, Boom Operator(s) Dustin Belt & Adam Chavez, Lighting Techs Joe Elgar and Juan Román. Gear from Chism Grip. Shot at Honeymoon Inn via Peerspace.

Talent: Devin Calderone, Charles Bocan.

Edit and Color by Adam C Bartlett, Post Production Sound by Adam Chavez.