Anya Major: Difference between revisions
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'''Anya Major''' (born 1966) is an athlete and model who starred in [[Apple Computer]]'s famous [[1984 (television commercial)|"1984"]] commercial, and who appeared as Nikita in the video to Elton John's song of the same name. |
'''Anya Major''' (born 1966) is an athlete and model who starred in [[Apple Computer]]'s famous [[1984 (television commercial)|"1984"]] commercial, and who appeared as [[Nikita (song)|Nikita]] in the video to [[Elton John]]'s song of the same name. |
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In 1983, the [[Chiat/Day]] advertising agency held a [[Casting (performing arts)|casting call]] in [[London]], on behalf of their client, [[Apple Computer]], for what would prove to be a landmark [[television commercial]]. The vision of the agency and director [[Ridley Scott]] stipulated an actress capable of running up to a large video screen, swinging a [[sledgehammer]] in a wide spin, and releasing it at the video screen. Unfortunately, most of the models and actresses tested could not wield the clumsy hammer, much less throw it; in fact, one errant throw nearly struck a passerby at the [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] casting call.<ref name="LinzmayerBook">{{cite book | last = Linzmayer | first = Owen | title = The Mac Bathroom Reader | url = http://www.curtsmedia.com/cine/1984.html | format = reproduction of chapter from book | accessdate = 2007-04-02 | year = 1994 | month = July | publisher = Sybex Inc | location = [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]| isbn = 978-0782115314 }}</ref> The petite Major, an experienced [[Discus throw|discus]] thrower who had been discovered at a local health club, won the role with her ability to handle the hammer convincingly.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=1984.txt | title = 1984 | accessdate = 2007-04-02 | last = Hertzfeld | first = Andy | authorlink = Andy Hertzfeld }}</ref> |
In 1983, the [[Chiat/Day]] advertising agency held a [[Casting (performing arts)|casting call]] in [[London]], on behalf of their client, [[Apple Computer]], for what would prove to be a landmark [[television commercial]]. The vision of the agency and director [[Ridley Scott]] stipulated an actress capable of running up to a large video screen, swinging a [[sledgehammer]] in a wide spin, and releasing it at the video screen. Unfortunately, most of the models and actresses tested could not wield the clumsy hammer, much less throw it; in fact, one errant throw nearly struck a passerby at the [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]] casting call.<ref name="LinzmayerBook">{{cite book | last = Linzmayer | first = Owen | title = The Mac Bathroom Reader | url = http://www.curtsmedia.com/cine/1984.html | format = reproduction of chapter from book | accessdate = 2007-04-02 | year = 1994 | month = July | publisher = Sybex Inc | location = [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]| isbn = 978-0782115314 }}</ref> The petite Major, an experienced [[Discus throw|discus]] thrower who had been discovered at a local health club, won the role with her ability to handle the hammer convincingly.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.folklore.org/StoryView.py?project=Macintosh&story=1984.txt | title = 1984 | accessdate = 2007-04-02 | last = Hertzfeld | first = Andy | authorlink = Andy Hertzfeld }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 08:42, 26 March 2009
Anya Major | |
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| Occupation | Actor |
Anya Major (born 1966) is an athlete and model who starred in Apple Computer's famous "1984" commercial, and who appeared as Nikita in the video to Elton John's song of the same name.
In 1983, the Chiat/Day advertising agency held a casting call in London, on behalf of their client, Apple Computer, for what would prove to be a landmark television commercial. The vision of the agency and director Ridley Scott stipulated an actress capable of running up to a large video screen, swinging a sledgehammer in a wide spin, and releasing it at the video screen. Unfortunately, most of the models and actresses tested could not wield the clumsy hammer, much less throw it; in fact, one errant throw nearly struck a passerby at the Hyde Park casting call.[1] The petite Major, an experienced discus thrower who had been discovered at a local health club, won the role with her ability to handle the hammer convincingly.[2]
The commercial aired only twice on American television, most famously just after half-time of Super Bowl XVIII on January 22, 1984.[1] Even with this limited appearance, the ad created such a media frenzy that it gained many subsequent free TV airings and print mentions as it was discussed in the media.
Major later portrayed "Nikita" in the Elton John 1986 music video of the same name.[3] As a spin-off, she released a single named Moscow Nights using the name Anya.[4]
Although Andy Hertzfeld of the Macintosh development team stated that Major died of breast cancer in 2000,[5] she is alive and well[6]. She lives in England with her husband Kim Rajah and their three children. Major is an alumna of the United World College of South East Asia and was in attendance for the 30th anniversary reunion in December 2005 [citation needed].
See also
References
- ^ a b Linzmayer, Owen (1994). The Mac Bathroom Reader (reproduction of chapter from book). San Francisco: Sybex Inc. ISBN 978-0782115314. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Hertzfeld, Andy. "1984". Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ September 28, 2007 (2007-09-28). "Elton John - Nikita". YouTube. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Anya (2)". Rock.discogs.com. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
- ^ Hertzfeld, Andy (speaker) (2006-03-15). Andy Hertzfeld at Google New York. Google. Retrieved 2007-04-02.
- ^ Story published at magicvallye.com[1] on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 states "The 42-year-old British mother of three still gets fan mail ..."
External links
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