Tom & Chet Hanks Unite in "You Better Run" Music Video, directed by Taillight’s Shane Drake in Nashville

A Nostalgic Journey with a Modern Twist

Few films have left as lasting an impact as Forrest Gump, and now, decades later, its influence continues in an unexpected way—through music. The new video for Something Out West's song "You Better Run", produced by Taillight and directed by Shane Drake, breathes new life into the iconic film. Featuring Chet Hanks stepping into his father Tom Hanks’ legendary role and a surprise appearance from the Oscar-winning actor himself, the video blends nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt storytelling into one unforgettable visual experience.

Bringing Forrest Gump to Life in Music

When Shane Drake first received the call from Big Machine’s Vice President, Creative Video and Photo Production Nicole Flammia, he wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. “She called me kind of cryptic,” Drake recalls. “She said, ‘Hey Shane, I want to talk to you about this project. It’s this new band… it’s Chet Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son… and they want to do a music video with the theme of Forrest Gump.’” As a child of the ’90s, Drake immediately connected with the concept. “That movie was my world growing up,” he said.

The challenge, however, was executing it in a way that honored the beloved film without parodying it. The team wanted to incorporate key elements—Chet running across landscapes, sitting on the iconic bench, and even a clever nod to Bubba Gump Shrimp with a boat scene inspired by the storm sequence in the film. “You don’t want to butcher it. You don’t want to belittle it. But at the same time, you want it to strike a chord,” said Drake.

Chet Hanks Steps Into a Legacy

For Chet Hanks, this wasn’t just another acting gig—it was personal. Growing up as Tom Hanks’ son, the Forrest Gump comparisons had followed him his whole life. “He’s been running from this sort of Forrest Gump shtick forever,” Drake explained. But rather than avoid it, Chet embraced it, turning a piece of his past into something entirely his own.

Filming in January in Nashville presented its own set of challenges. “It was freezing—30 degrees during the day, 20 at night. And there’s Chet, in shorts and a T-shirt, running full speed through the cold,” Drake recalled. Despite the conditions, Chet delivered, fully committing to the role with energy and determination.

The Tom Hanks Surprise

As if Chet stepping into the role wasn’t enough, the production team received a jaw-dropping surprise—Tom Hanks himself agreed to appear in the video. “I was just like, ‘Please let this all be true,’” Drake said. Tom’s cameo was initially meant to be brief, but after seeing the final edit, he loved it so much that he was happy to be featured more prominently.

A personal highlight for Drake was an unexpected connection with Hanks. “I come from a small town called Red Bluff, California, and there’s always been this rumor that Tom Hanks spent time there as a kid,” Drake shared. “I mentioned it to him, and he lit up—‘You are kidding me!’ We spent 30 minutes reminiscing about all these little places in Red Bluff. It was surreal.”

A Special Moment for Something Out West

Beyond the Hollywood connection, this video is a milestone for Something Out West, a band composed of Chet Hanks and Drew Arthur. “This is their big single, and what a way to introduce themselves—with a Forrest Gump homage featuring Tom Hanks,” Drake said. The duo not only played their roles in the narrative but also delivered a powerhouse performance scene on a boat, battling real storm clouds that rolled in just as they were about to film.

A Must-Watch for Fans of Music and Film

With its mix of heartfelt tribute, cinematic visuals, and a full-circle moment for Chet Hanks, “You Better Run” is more than just a music video—it’s an experience. As Drake puts it, “I’m just so proud of this video. It’s special to see a band at the start of something big, and to see Chet fully embrace this role was incredible. And let’s be real—when you get Tom Hanks in a video, you use as much of him as you can!”

A huge thank you to the incredible team behind the scenes, especially Em.Co’s Kelly Clague and James Stewart, whose dedication helped bring this vision to life.

Artist: Something Out West

Client: @bigmachinelabelgroup

Director: @shanedrake

EP: @matthouser

Producer: @sir_lantz_alot

DP: @featherstun_dop

1st AD: Joey May

Prod. Coordinator: @jsnowvideo

PA: @patrick__tyler, @itsrobbyberry, Alice Sparrow, Grant Engler

1st AC: @ryanfuqua

2nd AC: @caitlin.n.rivera

Jib/Crane Op: Sam Willey

Key Grip: @ jeffryratkins

Best Boy Grip: Rich Ruth

G&E Swing: Ross Binford

Gaffer: James Reed

Best Boy Electric: Brad Partee

Wardrobe: @kimperrettstylist, Sheena Carpenter

Art Director: @ms.a_alberto

1st Asst. Art Dir: Christian Gayle

H/MU: @bheadabe, @jossymanessbeauty, lindsay.doyle, @graceoliviadawson

Talent: @tomhanks, @avy.a.pret, Cathy Carpenter, @dakotashanesistired, Zach Hartman

Taillight and Porchlight are premier production and creative companies dedicated to producing captivating and visually stunning content. Taillight specializes in creating entertaining and engaging content and programming for brands and artists, while its sister company, Porchlight, produces digital spots helping brands share their message in an authentic, powerful way.

For 25 years, Taillight and Porchlight have offered a 360 approach to providing the highest quality creative and production services for brands, agencies, and artists.

Contact: Taillight, Nashville: Music Videos, Matt Houser, Executive Producer, 615.385.1034, Matt@Taillight.tv