Javan
Date
Time
Place
Slugi
September 21, 2025
1:00pm
Staten Island, NY
“Black”
Death of the Fanny Pack.
DEATH.
The Death of the Fanny Pack was a concept we came up with several years ago. It really spawned from just my dislike of well…the Fanny Pack. Maybe it’s the shape, maybe it’s the materiality, maybe it’s how it’s worn. I don’t know, but I have never worn a fanny pack and I don’t really want anyone to wear one again (half-joking, half-not). With so much seeming division in the world right now I thought this would be a sarcastic take on how ridiculous some things in society are. The concept was there, the script was written, all I needed was the actor to tell the world… something Slugi was coming.
Father Slug.
The script called for a big man. Someone to deliver a powerful speech, or sermon, or in this case a eulogy. I had thought a bit, but no one really came to mind. I started asking around. I first asked Isaac who recommended one of his friends Paris, who was serving in the military. This guy was funny as fuck, but unfortunately we weren’t able to make it happen because of our scheduling. Then, I asked my sister. She recommended an old castmate of hers she performed with during her time in high school theater. The guy I remember was always one of the leads in the shows and had such a distinguishable powerful presence. She connected us and in just a short few days he was in. His name was Javan.
Weapons of Cinema.
The cast and crew for this Slug story campaign was slim and effective. My main man Greg was behind the camera for this one. Almost a year ago, we had made my Slug Story in Downtown Manhattan, which ended up being a Slugger‘s favorite. Javan was of course, the star of the campaign and I stepped in as an extra. A surprise, special guest was on set that day: my good friend Noah: architect, designer, creative, and overall a true standup guy. We arrive to my house that Sunday, my sister and Javan catching up, me showing Noah around the house, and Greg getting the weapons of cinema ready. We split between two cars and drove over to the woods right near our house. We climbed through hills and trees until we got to a landscape’s peak. Engulfed in green and several stones, we set up shop.
Javan the Master.
From the very first take, Javan captivated camera and crew. It felt so real and natural and emphatic. He knew exactly where to pause, exactly where to smile, exactly how to perform. We could’ve just taken the first shot and slapped a Slug logo at the end of it and we’d have a banger, but there was more to shoot. After angles and quick switches of locations, we wrapped up having everything we need.
It ain’t that Serious… lowkey though, it is.
It’s fantastic making the art for art’s sake, but almost equally as fantastic making it for the sake of human connection. Javan, Greg, Noah, and I had never all hung out together, and by the end of the day, we were sitting at Dough, enjoying a meal with laughs and stories all around. For this campaign, I hope everyone can see that words in context can give great meaning to something… or not at all. The Death of the Fanny Pack ain’t that serious…… but for real, fuck the Fanny Pack.