Cel animation directed by Peter Chung of Acme Filmworks, Hollywood, sets up what looks like a story of intrigue inevitably leading to confrontation. But the payoff is quite different in "The Coupe Mission," a Honda spot for the U.S. Hispanic market out of La Agencia de Orci & Asociados, Los Angeles.
The Spanish-language :30 introduces a dark, handsome stranger standing in an apartment, silhouetted by a window as shafts of light stream across his steely gaze. The camera pulls back to reveal a beautiful, seductive woman sitting impatiently. Suddenly, the stranger dashes from the apartment down to the city streets. Leaping into his Honda coupe, he speeds off into the night. Pedestrians turn in amazement as he races through the city. He soon arrives at his destination and springs from the car. Out of the darkness, two individuals approach. Immediately he reaches into his trench coat and pulls out-a grocery list! He walks into the grocery store as the strangers pass him; his mission impossible turns out to be a late-night visit to the supermarket.
Alma Duran, exec. producer at La Agencia, characterized the spot’s animation as "unique in its artistic quality, especially within the Hispanic market." Duran credited Chung’s "edgy, energetic style, which exudes dark, romantic overtones" with giving the commercial "a spectacular, superhero quality."
In addition to Duran, the team at La Agencia also consisted of creative director Norma Orci, associate creative director/art director Lupe Marmolejo, copywriter Armando Pizarro and associate producer Allen Perez.
Ron Diamond and Gwynn Adik served as exec. producer and producer, respectively, for Acme. The animation house’s other artisans on the job were production coordinator Anthony Sword, offline editor/postproduction coordinator George Khair and offline compositors and digital-assistance artists Darryn Smith, Michael O’Donnell and David Breffitt.
Post/effects facility 525 Studios, Hollywood, had an ensemble consisting of Flame artist Steve Meyer, Henry artist Eric Novisedlak and colorist Paul Bronkar.
Composer/audio mixer was Alonso Zevallos of AZ Productions, Los Angeles.
-Millie Takaki
