Taxi

"Taxi" was based loosely on true events witnessed by a member of the FBL staff. It was a snowy night in New York City, and difficult to get a cab. A man and a woman stood, each trying to hail a cab, several feet apart. They didn't notice each other, until the cab pulled up between them. There was a brief argument, but in the end the man let the woman have the cab. The script was developed from the question, "what if one of the characters had acted differently, and shown compassion from the beginning?"

This spot was a challenge to shoot. The director, actors and camera crew can't wait around for it to rain - the rain had to come to them. Rain trucks with large nozzles were used to shower down water in a very large radius in front of the camera. This way, the camera and crew were able to stay dry. But for the actors, it was a very wet scene. The filming of "Taxi" needed several takes, after which the actors would get into dry clothes - and then have to do it all over again. Our main character hailing a cab needed a number of changes of clothing and sessions with a hairdryer to dry himself off -- so he could be ready to get soaked again. It was October, and getting cooler at night but the actors and the spot turned out fine.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

MAN: Taxi!
ANNCR/SUPER: When you can’t do it all, do what you can. Compassion for others, Pass it On. A message from The Foundation for a Better Life.

Compassion
Pass It On®
Pass It On®

YOUR COMMENT

Note: All comments are reviewed before posting.

We need more of this in today's world.

Cheryl from Tacoma, WA, October 20, 2019

Wonderful, people need to show more concern for others, this is a great start, hopefully people will watch and learn.

Florence Parker from Syracuse NY, April 10, 2019

wow we can all be nice like him

love from yourself!, November 15, 2015

This reminds me of dad

Bobby Hill from Texas, August 20, 2014

What a magnificent surprise. My great granddaughter and I delivered our "taxi" in downtown SLC for a commercial shoot. As a youngster she got to see how they made rain, and how the shot commercials...it was such a learning experience for her...for me? I had no idea who the commercial was for or if we would ever see it. Lo and behold these years later to find it and remember a special night for a little girl...I will post with a huge smile.

Jim Platt from Salt Lake City, Utah, August 15, 2013

Oh, hey, my dad's a taxi driver! *watches video* *finishes watching video* Aaaaaaaw! :D that was cute!

Noah from Louisiana, October 30, 2012

This one is so sweet and kind I love it!

anabela S. from mexico, October 8, 2012

I think that was the right thing to do if all the people did that it would be great! But standing up and doing the right thing is sometimes right. Do the right thing pass it on!

lilly from callirado , June 5, 2012

This is the first commercial like this. I was in the hospital having my first baby,and I've loved it ever since and think that everyone should put others first like that. Its a wonderful example of how to treat people.

Heather Mcintire from Hooks Texas, May 12, 2012

That man is very sweet to let the woman and her daughter have the cab.

Rachel Boettcher from Arizona, April 6, 2012

that was very nice

lily:] from condo, March 11, 2012

thank you values.com i have a lot of inspirational quotes that I will share to my facebook have a great day more bless

aiza from philippines, September 8, 2011

i think that man was nice :]

Alexis from mms, September 2, 2011

This is the first one i saw on tv!!

Adam M. from Virginia, January 22, 2011

For 40 years I worked as an announcer/producer in radio. I enjoyed creating commercials. What a delight it is to see yours, made for the *right* reasons. Bravo!

Larry C. from Halifax, Nova Scotia, March 19, 2010

I truly believe that with just a little compassion from each of us around the world we would have a much better place to live no matter where you live! Just be willing to GIVE and stop expecting to receive.

Keith G. from Morristown, NJ, August 27, 2009

I've seen something like this happen. I live in New York city as well and I was on a Bus and all the seats were occupied buy these high school kids and a woman, who was pregnant, came on to the bus with shopping bags and no one offered to even let her sit so when I saw her standing I got up and offer her my seat. As the woman sat everyone looked around at her then back at me and I didn't care. They needed to see what good manners and kindness is.

Meika from Manhattan, New York, April 14, 2009

These commercials are so inspirational. If more people followed this advice, our world would become such a better place so quickly.

MarybelV from Orange County, CA, March 13, 2009

The hard work shines through, this is very well done!

Bev M. from Canada, December 28, 2008

I love the smile the little girl gives the man. It is genuine and the greatest reward he could have asked for.

Donald from Paris, August 2, 2008

I was watching TV and this ad came on and I was so touched by it that I immediately went to my computer to access the website. My goal is to touch as many lives in a positive manner as possible and the 'theme' of this ad is exactly what our message in my life and Company are!

Bob C. from Aspen, July 2, 2008

I was working on a puzzle and thought about changing the channel but didn't. This commercial came in almost immediately and it actually made my day. Thank you for these gentle and wonderful reminders.

Debbie M from Georgia, April 24, 2008

If only people could see beyond the raindrops, beyond the storms... Whatever we do in kindness, blossoms ten fold in the moments and minutes ahead. I am looking forward to the next downpour!

Lady Samm from Toronto, Canada, June 19, 2007

This was probably one of the first of your spots that I saw on TV and I really admire you guys for doing this. I think if we all do just a little bit to help, this world would improve so dramatically.

Ben Jones from Virginia, May 12, 2007

Be sure to watch our other Pass It On® videos.

Get Along

GET ALONG

Just Say Hi

REACHING OUT

Imagine

IMAGINE

You Can Let Go

LOVE

Peer Pressure

CHARACTER

Cafeteria

REACHING OUT

Packages

COURTESY

Homer

LOYALTY

Hall of Fame

ACHIEVEMENT

Loyalty

LOYALTY

Hockey

LOVE

Never Too Late

LIVE LIFE

Be A Light

BE A LIGHT

Purse

HONESTY

Hope

HOPE

My Wish

PARENTING

Classroom

HONESTY

Top Shelf

HELPING OTHERS

Apple Stand

CARING

Veteran

THANK YOU

Locker

CHARACTER

Crosswalk

GOOD MANNERS

Dishes

LISTENING

Joshua's Heart

LOVE

Change the World

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

I Hope You Dance

LIVE LIFE

Good Stuff

COMMITMENT

Biker

GRATITUDE

Baseball

FRIENDSHIP

Kindness

KINDNESS

Track Coach

BELIEVE

Better Together

BETTER TOGETHER

Mallory Weggemann

RESILIENCY

Piñata

SHARING

Jen Bricker

STRENGTH

Oliver With A Twist

PLEASE AND THANK YOU

Basketball

SPORTSMANSHIP

Truck Stop

RIGHT CHOICES

Gratitude

GRATITUDE

Life's A Dance

LEARN AS YOU GO

Holding The Light

TEACHING BY EXAMPLE

Timeout

CIVILITY

The Greatest

OPTIMISM

Old Friends

FRIENDSHIP

Wet Cement

PATIENCE

I Will Always Love You

LOVE

Hallway

FORGIVENESS

Special Athlete

SPORTSMANSHIP

Train

LOVE

Homecoming Queen

TRUE BEAUTY

You Raise Me Up

INSPIRATION

Grace VanderWaal

CONFIDENCE

Reach

INTEGRITY

My Life in Sports

APPRECIATION

Love

LOVE

I Believe

BELIEVE

Soccer

OPPORTUNITY

Dear Me

HOPE

Power of the Dream

LIVE YOUR DREAMS

The Wall

HARD WORK

Home

FAMILY

Everything I Do

CARING

Nate Staniforth, Magician

WONDER

Sarah Greichen

INCLUSION

Remember When

APPRECIATION

Ballet

CONFIDENCE

Annie's Song

OUR BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Let Em In

CARING

Open Door

KINDNESS

Generosity

GENEROSITY

A Better Life

A BETTER LIFE

College

GRATITUDE

Neighbors

PATIENCE

Haircut

BEING THERE

Spirit of America

DETERMINATION

We Shall Be Free

DO YOUR PART

America

CARING

Three Pointer

YOU GOT THIS

Already There

BEING THERE

Spread the Love

LOVE

Guitar Hero

LIVE YOUR DREAMS

Road Rage

GOOD EXAMPLES

Most People Are Good

GOODNESS

Faith In You

DEVOTION

Humble and Kind

KINDNESS

Umbrella

CARING

Everyday Heroes

MAKING A DIFFERENCE