The hamsters are back in ‘Totally Transformed’ a new spot for Kia Soul featuring Lady Gaga with VFX by MPC
From pre-previs to the final grade, MPC created the hamsters and seamlessly integrated them into Jeffery’s live-action footage. Each shot was pre-visualized with an emphasis on performance, which helped inform the approach to directing actors on the shoot. Special attention was paid to ensuring realism for the hamsters’ look; MPC artists implemented a custom fur and physically-based shader set up to create photo-real characters in live action environments.
[dailymotion]https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x142p77_kia-totally-transformed-making-of_fun[/dailymotion]
A sequence involving a hamster diving into and swimming through water proved to be an engaging challenge for the team, requiring heavy duty real world solutions. “We really wanted to bring the personality out of the hamsters so we built advanced facial and body muscle rigs to achieve fluid integration with the live action,” recalled VFX Supervisor and 3D Lead Andy Boyd. “The result needed to be unnoticeable – like you’ve seen a giant hamster in a speedo and goggles before, and we happened to get some nice shots of it!”
[dailymotion]https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13o59a_2014-kia-soul-hamster-commercial_auto[/dailymotion]
Credits
Chief Creative Officer: David Angelo
Executive Creative Director: Colin Jeffery
CD/Copywriter: Gary DuToit
CD/Art Director: Eron Broughton
ACD/Copywriter: Greg Buri
ACD/Art Director: Basil Cowieson
ACD/Art Director: Kriss Grove
Executive Producer, Managing Director: Carol Lombard
Executive Producer: Paul Albanese
Managing Partner, Client Services: Brian Dunbar
Group Account Director: Brook Dore
Account Director: Justin Manfredi
Account Supervisor: Nancy Ramirez
Account Executive: Kammie Dons
Associate Strategic Planning Director: Steven Garcia
Sr. Planner: Armando Potter
Production Company: @radical.media
Director: Colin Jeffery
Executive Producer: Frank Scherma
Producer: Kathy Rhodes
Director of Photography: Toby Irwin
Production Designer: Brock Houghton
Wardrobe Stylist: Christina Blackaller
Special EFX: Legacy Effects
Editorial: Rock Paper Scissors
Editor: Angus Wall
Executive Producer: CL Weaver
Producer: Toby Louie
Assistant Editor: Austyn Daines
Post Production: MPC
VFX Supervisor/ 3-D Lead: Andy Boyd
Compositing Supervisor: Jake Montgomery
Animation Lead: Stew Burris
Animator/Rigger: Ian Wilson
Animator: Jean-Dominique Fievet
Lighter: William Schilthuis
Lighter: Shaun Comly
Texture: Hayley O’Neil
Modeler: Aaron Hamman
3-D FX: Charles Trippe
Tracking: Mike Wynd
Compositor: Clement
Compositor: Jason Heinz
Compositor: Brendan Smith
Smoke Artist: Mark Holden
Telecine: Mark Gethin
Executive Producer: Asher Edwards
VFX Producer: Nicole Fina
Record Label: Interscope Records
Artist: Lady Gaga
Sound Design: Hammers Project
Sound Designer: Johannes Hammers
Music Editing: Massive Music
Audio Mix: Margarita Mix
Mixer: Nathan Dubin
