The vehicles that we wrap serve all kinds of different purposes once they leave our production...
I'm actually a pretty regular Modern Family watcher, but life took precedence over TV on Wednesday, and I ended up catching the show online last night. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the A plot revolved around, of all things, a vehicle wrap! Once I saw the "shrink wrapped van" episode I knew I had to write a blog post about it.
If you're not familiar with the show, all you really have to know is that Phil, patriarch and real estate agent, decided to convert the family Sienna (ah, product placement) into a mobile advertisement for his business. His campaign involves a picture of his family and the slogan, “I can't be satisfied until you're satisfied! I'll make your dreams come true!”
On the 2d mock up that he shows his family the ad seems wholesome and pleasant, but when wrapped around the van, his wife and his eldest daughter are awkwardly cut off from the rest of the family, giving the wholesome real estate wrap the impression of an sketchy escort service wrap. Hijinks ensue.
As someone in the vehicle wraps industry, I feel like there are a lot of ways I can react to an Emmy-winning comedy choosing to put a wrap front and center of an episode. I could talk about the vehicle wrap design, and how whoever created Phil's wrap should probably be fired – if not for the awkward design, at least for the lack of proof approval.
I could also talk about the funny scene where Phil realizes the mistake and tries to peel off the wrap before his wife notices. Good luck without a blow torch, Phil!
Or, I could talk about how real estate wraps are definitely a trend that's on the rise and how I hope that the episode inspired real estate agents rather than scared them away.
But all of those points are silly nit-picking in relation to my broader feelings about the episode. Above everything else, I'm really pleased that a vehicle wrap, even one as ridiculous as that, was featured on an Emmy-winning prime time comedy. The show spends a lot of time poking fun at aspects of modern life, and its a testament to the vehicle wrap industry that “shrink wrapped vans” are a common and relatable enough part of every day life in 2011 to be included on a show with an audience of millions.
Below I've included a link to a clip from the episode that shows off the wrap in all its glory... definitely worth checking out if you're in the mood for a chuckle!
