This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Video: Did You Know Michael Bay Directed That Iconic 'Got Milk?' Ad
With Alexander Hamilton in the news again—perhaps for the last time in history—it's time for us to dig up some Hamilton-related trivia. For instance, did you know that the classic Got Milk? ad about his duel with Aaron Burr was directed by Michael Bay?
Before the Transformers director got his big break in 1995 with Bad Boys, he was an award-winning director of commercials and music videos. If you've seen enough of Bay's movies, this makes a lot of sense. His movies are purely testosterone-driven sensory overloads where as much visual, audio, and narrative information as possible is crammed into each frame. "Each second is so precious, so you learn to convey an amazing amount of information in a short space of time—which helped on my first movie Bad Boys," he writes on his official website.
Love him or hate him (some of us here at LAist LOVE him), he certainly has a style unto his own—you can't say that about most blockbuster directors. Even within the 1-minute span of the "Got Milk?" ad it's all there: the gonzo close-ups, the quick editing to ratchet up the drama, and the gunpowder flash standing in for a mini-explosion. So popular and effective was the ad that it won several industry awards and has since been enshrined in the CLIO Hall of Fame.
And what does Michael Bay think of it now? "I actually thought it was pretty stupid," he told TMZ.
Here's some other classic music videos and commercials by Michael Bay:
Meat Loaf's - "I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)"
Sponsored message
Levi's Jeans
Nike Alpha Project
Divinyls - "I Touch Myself"
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
