Bicoastal U.S. creative production company Stardust Studios is very proud to detail its artistic collaborations with the creative team from LA-based ad agency Dailey for WONKA® brand candies NERDS® and SWEETARTS®. Unique :30 spots for both brands, created entirely in-house at Stardust under the direction of Neil Tsai, recently debuted on MTV, Nick at Nite, ABC Family and in other targeted broadcast and cable media outlets across the U.S. The spots can be seen on Stardust’s recently redesigned website at www.stardust.tv.
As originally conceived by Dailey‘s team of creative director Richard Bronshvag, art director Bryan Carroll, copywriter Aroon Mukhey and producer Aubrey Harms, the “Feed Your Imagination: NERDS®” and “Feed Your Imagination: SWEETARTS®” spots both explore colorful, surprising, highly imaginative worlds inspired by the WONKA® brand and the candies themselves. According to Tsai, as the ideas took more concrete forms, "Richard gave Stardust total creative space and thus, we were able to give creative input on the ideas as well as implement our unique Stardust style.”
“Ultimately, we’re telling the WONKA® brand story through the attributes of the WONKA® candies themselves – which is a challenge when each candy needs to have its own visual identity,” Bronshvag said. “Stardust’s strength lies in the breadth of their stylistic repertoire. Which is not to say that these styles are rehearsed. Rather, that their exploration of color and form is so in depth, that they can create a range of looks that hold together. As this campaign evolves, Stardust’s range will become more and more apparent.”
Tsai, Stardust’s creative director Jake Banks, executive producer Paul Abatemarco, producer Erin Sullivan and designers Bill Bak and Gretchen Nash created their original illustrations, and project storyboards, using traditional cel animation techniques and Adobe Creative Suite.
“Because the project was well planned and scheduled, we had enough time to explore the style of the illustrations and the concepts,” Tsai explained. “Jake, myself, Erin and Richard worked closely on the creative part. From the R&D to design, storyboarding out the transition details, and motion tests, we ensured each scene transition flowed seamlessly throughout the spot… and really brought out the fun and playfulness of the WONKA® imagination world.”
Stardust’s artists, including animators Hai Ho, Sam Sparks, Maithy Tran, Yan Ng, GianCarlo Rondavi, Hung Vodish, Daniel Loeb, and Brian Broussard, used Autodesk Maya and Adobe After Effects for animation and compositing.
Both spots also feature custom sound design and musical scores, courtesy of Anthony Anderson of DJ Amplive and Dailey Broadcast sound designer Henry Correa, with audio mastering handled by sound editor Jimmy Hite and mixer Michael Jesmer of Santa Monica’s Margarita Mix.
“These two spots represent about six months of R&D, and a true partnership between us and the agency,” concluded Stardust’s Paul Abatemarco. “The process was long, but very fruitful.”
About Stardust Studios
Stardust is an award-winning, full-service creative production company, specializing in motion design, animation, visual effects and live-action production. Led by founder and creative director Jake Banks, Stardust’s Santa Monica and New York offices continually redefine creativity for commercial, on-air, music video and in-store presentations. Their recent work – including projects for the world’s top ad agencies, brands and recording artists – has earned numerous awards and worldwide editorial exposure. For more information, please visit www.stardust.tv.
