The Navy’s 250th Birthday
Celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Navy. Commercial director Leif Ramsey captures content for the “Forged by the Sea” advertising campaign for VML and production company Pathfinder Films.
Aircraft Carrier Film: USS Roosevelt (CVN-71)
DIRECTED BY LEIF RAMSEY
They say it’s one of the most dangerous work environments in the world. Even bundled in full safety gear, the exhaust from the F-18’s engines felt like dragon’s breath as we ducked under its blast on our way to the front of the aircraft carrier. Two F-18s were lined up to launch. A dozen feet away Cat 1 sent a fighter jet into the sky. The force knocked the air right out of our lungs.
For 3 years we filmed for the Navy’s “Forged by the Sea” campaign alongside the agency team from VML. We were on countless bases from high-security nuclear submarine bases, to SEAL training, to research facilities where new tech is developed and tested.
But by far, the most memorable and exciting trips were when we went to sea. Here are three reels that weren’t part of the advertising campaign, but became some our most fun deliverables. The films capture story of a warship at sea, and feature the incredible men and women that are the beating heart of the United States Navy.
Happy 250th birthday to the U.S. Navy!
Photography by Donald Page
Landing Ship Dock Film: USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49)
Missile Destroyer Film: USS Momsen (DDG-92)