Why fake it?

We all know that just about everything that comes out of Hollywood is faked in some fashion or anther. Certainly the film blockbusters with the computer generated images by the thousands. Even bio pics and movies which ought to be true use 'creative license' to spruce up what is otherwise another boring existence. Add to that the reality show phenomenon and of course, commercials.

I remember a few years ago they shot a car commercial in Simi Valley and they wanted to use the Venture Liquors store front but I guess they objected to the title, so they stuck a fake sign on the store and shot the commercial. I only know about this because we saw the hubbub around the place when bowling next door at Harley's one evening and I later went by to ask what was happening.

Interesting, but not the point. I can see why an automotive manufacturer might have a problem with a liquor store name and ask the owner to change it.

Sometimes though, I see something and I just have to ask why.

This particular question revolves around a Jetta commercial that's been running since at least September. I just saw another one this evening, leading to this silly post. I'd captured the commercial as part of something else on September 21 and turned it into a movie on October 3 of last year. I've looked for information on this a few times before. Nothing.

The original ad (and perhaps the latest ones too) are centered around special deals for remaining 2004 models. It was a typical closeout ad with one tiny exception. The ad begins with a car apparently getting onto Interstate 95, a major east coast transportation artery, which runs from Florida to Maine. I've been up and down nearly the entire length a few times, done the Florida to New Jersey run in both directions countless times and I once did it hitchhiking. The rest of the commercial takes place on both sides of the 118 freeway (aka the Ronald Reagan Freeway) in the eastern half (or so) of Simi Valley. No one, unless blind (and unable to see the sign) is going to think those mountains (the Santa Susana Pass) are anywhere close to I-95. Further, they left in the real street names: Stearns Street and Tapo Canyon Road. Stearns flys, but umm, Tapo Canyon? I don't think so.

I just can't understand it; why bother with the subterfuge? There had to be a meeting somewhere (either at the ad agency or at Volkwagon) where someone brought up the idea that they'd use a faked (stolen?) I-95 sign in the early part.

What the hell were these people thinking?