Welcome to retro Shangri la, reflecting the style and spirit of circa 1940s’ animation when sweetness reigned supreme. Dutch star Wendy van Dijk, shot in live action, shares the screen with a cute, cuddly adorable collection of animated woodland creatures who frolic in colorful foliage during a beautiful summer day in the country. Indeed all is right with the world as van Dijk shares quality time with flora and fauna, including a happy go-lucky bird who flies onto her hand, a pair of friendly squirrels, and some bunnies.
However, something goes terribly amiss, albeit it just for a fleeting moment, in this sugary scenario when a truck carrying Lay’s Potato Chips enters the picture, coming on fast in the direction of a colt who’s playing on the road. An expression of terror flashes across the horse’s face. The truck swerves to avoid the animal, hitting a fence post and causing bags of new improved Lay’s paprika chips to pour onto the road and fly into the hands of the nearby van Dijk.
She tastes a chip and is immediately delighted. Then we’re back to joyous perfection when the colt emerges unscathed from a big pile of Lay’s Chips. Van Dijk and the truck driver chomp on some chips together, thoroughly enjoying the snack.
This combo traditional 2-D animation/live-action spot, which is airing in the Netherlands and Belgium, was directed by Aaron Sorenson of animation studio Laika/house, Portland, Ore., for FHV/BBDO Netherlands.
“The twist in the story really makes this spot unique and fun,” said Sorenson who also served as character designer, storyboard/layout/key animation artist. “The animation emulates the high-quality of work and sweep appearance of cartoons from the 1940s, but this spot has a dark side that messes with established expectations.”
The FHV/BBDO team consisted of creative director Rohan Young, art director Jennifer Farrington, writer Tiffany Davenport and producer Niko Koot.
The Laika/house ensemble included executive producer/producer Jan Johnson, art director Jenny Kincade, live-action supervisor Mike Wellins, editor Michael Corrigan, Flame artist Rex Carter, CG animation artist Adrian Grey and background painter Gary Cooper.
Oscar Nominees Delve Into The Art Of Editing At ACE Session
You couldn’t miss Sean Baker at this past Sunday’s Oscar ceremony where he won for Best Picture, Directing, Original Screenplay and Editing on the strength of Anora. However, earlier that weekend he was in transit from the Cesar Awards in Paris and thus couldn’t attend the American Cinema Editors (ACE) 25th annual panel of Academy Award-nominated film editors held at the Regal LA Live Auditorium on Saturday (3/1) in Los Angeles. While the eventual Oscar winner in the editing category was missed by those who turned out for the ACE “Invisible Art, Visible Artists” session, three of Baker’s fellow nominees were on hand--Dávid Jancsó, HSE for The Brutalist; Nick Emerson for Conclave; and Myron Kerstein, ACE for Wicked. Additionally, Juliette Welfling, who couldn’t appear in person due to the Cesar Awards, was present via an earlier recorded video interview to discuss her work on Emilia Pérez. The interview was conducted by ACE president and editor Sabrina Plisco, ACE who also moderated the live panel discussion. Kerstein said that he was the beneficiary of brilliant and generous collaborators, citing, among others, director Jon M. Chu, cinematographer Alice Brooks, and visual effects supervisor Pablo Helman. The editor added it always helps to have stellar acting performances, noting that hearing Cynthia Erivo, for example, sing live was a revelation. Kerstein recalled meeting Chu some eight years ago on a “blind Skype date” and it was an instant “bromance”--which began on Crazy Rich Asians, and then continued on such projects as the streaming series Home Before Dark and the feature In The Heights. Kerstein observed that Chu is expert in providing collaborators with... Read More