Howie and the Howl | Middle School Mental Health | Ad Council

00:00– We see two people sitting at a table comprised of two wooden surfaces joined together. The lines on the table draw our attention as they converge towards the center but break off due to the joining, symbolizing a potential connection that is disrupted. One figure is clearly a man, focused intently on some reports, indicating that he is engaged in work. He occupies a significant amount of space on the table, with glasses and a newspaper laid out beside him, suggesting that he is at home. He sits at the head of the table, which adds to his authoritative presence.

The second figure, positioned not directly opposite but to the side at another table, maintains the maximum possible distance to avoid eye contact. This arrangement implies discomfort or tension between them. The personal belongings of this figure occupy little space, contrasting sharply with the clutter around the man. This detail hints that, while we might assume they are in a familiar home environment, the second person feels uncomfortable and is attempting to appear as inconspicuous as possible.The figure at the side is significantly smaller than the man, indicating that he is likely a child or teenager under the age of 13. This assumption is further supported by the animated design on the boy’s sweatshirt. Both the boy and the man are dark-skinned, suggesting a familial relationship, and it is reasonable to conclude that this is a father and son. The father wears a shirt layered with a knit cardigan, which conveys warmth and affection, adding depth to his character. On the table, we notice a typical breakfast spread. The boy eats cereals and drinks orange juice, while the father has sandwiches and strong coffee. This detail implies that the father is preparing for work, perhaps finishing paperwork, while the son is getting ready for school.

The setting is heavily influenced by color, with dark wood tones and shades of dark green creating an atmosphere of melancholy and anxiety. The lighting in this shot is minimal, with most of it directed towards the father, leaving the boy partially obscured—only half of his face is visible.

00:03: the father’s gaze shifts toward the child, revealing a look of worry. His expression is devoid of anger; instead, it conveys a deep sense of concern and sadness. This moment captures the emotional weight of their relationship, suggesting that the father is aware of the distance between them and feels a profound sense of responsibility for the child’s well-being.

00:04: the child props his head up with his hand, an action that conveys a sense of fatigue or disengagement. He picks at his cereal bowl, but his lack of actual eating suggests that he is lost in his thoughts. This moment captures his inner turmoil or distraction, highlighting his emotional state.

00:05-00:07: after the father’s concerned look and presumably some spoken words, the boy briefly says something before suddenly standing up and leaving without a moment’s hesitation. This impulsive action, coupled with his words, conveys a sense of urgency and perhaps a desire to escape the emotional weight of the moment.

00:08: all attention shifts to two bright spots: the orange juice and the glass beside the boy. The amount of juice in the glass and the absence of any prints or traces suggest that the boy hasn’t touched it. This visual detail serves as his rejection of the father’s attempts to connect and nurture him, emphasizing the emotional distance between them. It encapsulates the broader theme of longing and unreciprocated affection, highlighting how the boy, despite being surrounded by care, feels unable to embrace it.

00:10: the boy finds himself in another room, which, like the first, is dimly lit, as the light is off. In this space, we witness a singular action: he puts on headphones. This moment underscores his desire for isolation, as the headphones serve as a barrier between him and the outside world. The darkness of the room mirrors his emotional state, suggesting a retreat into his thoughts and a rejection of the environment he just left. By choosing to put on headphones, he actively distances himself from his surroundings, perhaps seeking solace in music.

00:13-00:15: the camera reveals the entire room, confirming that this is the boy’s bedroom. He is sitting on his bed, surrounded by his paintings hanging on the wall. Each artwork depicts a boy, yet none show his face, creating a sense of anonymity and distance. In one painting, the boy is depicted flying, while another illustrates a fantastical sky and dreamlike landscape. These images evoke themes of escapism, suggesting the boy’s deep desire to “fly away” from his reality. As he taps his knee in time with the music playing through his headphones, we see him lost in the rhythm, perhaps seeking comfort in the beat. The scene then shifts to a close-up of his face, drawing our attention to his eyes, where pain and loneliness are starkly visible.

00:16: we return to the room from the first frame, but it looks COMPLETELY different. A warm light fills the space, creating a much more comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The interior is now fully visible, and it’s apparent that it is dark outside, suggesting it is around 6 PM. This change in lighting and ambiance contributes to a sense of safety and belonging. In this moment, the boy sits resolutely at the table directly in front of his father, a significant shift from the earlier arrangement where he was positioned at a distance. As he abruptly removes his headphones, this action signifies a readiness to engage with his surroundings and, perhaps, with his father.

00:20: in response to the boy’s gesture, Dad slams his laptop shut. This abrupt action signals a shift in the father’s focus, indicating that he is now fully attentive to his son.

00:22: the father is now sitting next to his son, and with a slight smile, he says something to him while leaning closer, presumably placing his hand on the boy’s. This moment signifies a shift towards warmth and connection, contrasting sharply with the earlier tension. Additionally, their same clothing indicates that all these events have unfolded within the same day.

Overview:

The story unfolds with a father and son sitting at a table, where the father is preoccupied with work while the boy, feeling emotionally distant, sits off to the side. As the boy listens to music through his headphones, he becomes lost in his thoughts, reflecting his inner turmoil and loneliness, symbolized by his disengagement from the world around him.After decent amount of time, the boy enters a warmly lit room, ready to confront his feelings, and he sits directly across from his father. As he removes his headphones, the father responds by closing his laptop and turning his full attention to his son. Finally, in a touching scene, the father sits beside him with a light smile, placing his hand on the boy’s, signaling a breakthrough in their communication. This moment of connection emphasizes the importance of listening and voicing one’s problems, leading to a hopeful reconciliation that highlights the transformative power of understanding in their relationship.

*Addition thoughts: As the commercial comes to an end, it becomes clear that the pivotal moment was the boy listening to music through his headphones. The symbolism of the headphones encapsulates the barriers that can exist in relationships, while the transition to direct engagement between the father and son emphasizes the importance of breaking down those barriers. The name of the organization, “Sound It Out Together,” perfectly aligns with this message. It underscores the idea that fostering healthy relationships, especially between parents and children, involves active listening and open dialogue.