Directing duo Fleur & Manu of production house Les Télécréateurs directed this visual effects-intensive hot air balloon spot for Ogilvy Paris–with MPC’s newly opened Paris studio taking the reins on the ad’s 42 VFX shots. This party of CG hot air balloons bursts through the water, against the stunning backdrop of the Iguazu Falls. The balloons–with its occupants–soar high into the sky, unleashing a frenetic explosion of colors and sounds, emblematic of the bubbly effervescence of Perrier water.
VFX supervisor Franck Lambertz, creative director of MPC Paris, led the team, and said, “The spot is a riot of color, with multiple locations and many minute details in every shot. Working with Fleur & Manu, who are adept at creating the ultimate fantasy world, led us to slightly unconventional techniques. I even found myself in a helicopter filming with a 360-degree camera to create the back plates. The work was led from MPC Paris, with support from the 3D team in London, prep work from Bangalore, and stills photography from MPC Mexico–a truly global effort.”
The opening scene was based on stills of a natural well in Yucatan, Mexico, with CG and animated DMPs bringing the sequence to life. The balloon bursting through the water was one of the most challenging shots for the team to create, requiring a team of Houdini liquid specialists.
The main shoot took place in Argentina, with actors and extras suspended close to the ground in their baskets. This natural lighting gave the perfect reference to the VFX team for integrating the protagonists with CG elements and shot/DMP backgrounds.
3D supervisor Fabian Frank led the team to create 50 variations of CG hot air balloons, and re-build the baskets in 3D. Each balloon has its own unique brand of eccentricity, with the occupants using tricks to speed their balloons along. To help with the individuality, Frank’s team used a range of cloth simulations, making some of the balloons shinier, thicker or adding a deeper sheen than others.
The majestic lion and his marmoset and parrot pals–passengers in one balloon–were shot in-camera at Argentina zoo, with multiple takes required to get the correct action. Colorist Matthieu Toullet worked on the vibrant grade, using eye-popping colors to create the bright and warm look. He said, “We sought to produce a striking colored film, while being careful not to tilt towards an artificial look. I really enjoyed being able to play with the variety and richness in the color scheme. We applied some creamy tonality on the high-lights to find a nice depth in the film.”
