Director Johan Stahl collaborated with agency POL to create a cinematic spot for Norwegian Bank DNB Eiendom. “From Home to Home” takes viewers on an intimate journey inside the different homes of one family at various points in time, capturing both the beauty and imperfection of real life with heart and human warmth. The spot–out of Oslo-based production company Bacon–conveys the message that DNB Eiendom’s clients can rely on them when life situations change.
In bringing the agency’s script to life, Stahl simplified each vignette to its essential elements, quickly conveying the key moments of the family passing through time.
“The aim was for each vignette to stand out as an individual story while also feeling connected to the larger narrative of the family and the significance of the life changes they experience in the context of DNB Eiendom’s message,” remarked Stahl, who is represented by Bacon in Europe, and REVERSE in the US. “Weaving all of these scenes with the voiceover was a balancing act that required a sense of musicality to lull the viewer into the rhythm of the story while finding moments for pause.”
Stahl captured extensive coverage for each vignette, using an Alexa LF on a dolly to achieve the required realism of the spot via in part a floating camera effect.
“Thanks to our tactical approach to the shoot, we were able to achieve a beautiful yet highly technical effect,” said Stahl. “With full control over the transitions, we could make them agile and free-flowing while also being able to seamlessly cut into key reactions and emotions in the performances of our fantastic cast. The extra coverage also enabled us to create cut-downs for the client, as needed, for shorter media buys, digital, and social.”
In the edit room, Stahl fine-tuned the carousel of vignettes, adjusting the speed of the footage for rhythmic continuity between scenes as the camera passes by and finding beats to get close to the characters. The divorce scene is the only time where the camera comes to a pause.
The music played a crucial role in the commercial. Stahl chose a drum-heavy jazz track with a playful and lively tone, underscoring the viewer’s experience of voyeuristically floating from room to room watching the family.
“Life presents itself in many shades, from the highs to the lows to the mundane,” concluded Stahl. “With each home and family member, I aimed to intimately depict them all with raw beauty and emotion that is familiar to us all. I have nothing but respect and gratitude for DNB Eiendom and POL for committing themselves to such an innovative approach to brand storytelling and filmmaking.”
CreditsClient DNB Eiendom Agency POL Anette Bellika Finnanger, Emil Hafslund, creatives; Silje Linge, project manager; Monika Augustsson, consultant. Production Company Bacon, Oslo Johan Stahl, director; Magne Lyngner, exec producer; Rebekka Rognoy, producer; Ida Nilsen, production manager; Maria Simonsen, casting; Katinka Lotherington, 1st AD; Benjamin Loeb, DP; Are Sjaastad, production designer. Editorial Patrick Larsgaard, editor; Kaja Fiksdal, postproduction producer. VFX Ola Jacob Nestande Sound Design Andreas Waag, Benjamin Nerheim Color Grade Julian Alary, colorist.
Top Spot of the Week: EHRAC, Animation Studio NOMINT Depict Life “In Limbo” As Families Search For Loved Ones
This animated film titled In Limbo depicts the journey of a heroic woman protagonist representing the countless families in the North Caucasus of Eastern Europe (where Chechnya is situated) searching for their forcibly disappeared loved ones. Utilizing theatrical elements, the film highlights the unnatural disruption caused by enforced disappearances and delves into the profound trauma these families endure. It emphasizes their long battles with the domestic authorities as they seek answers. The film also underscores the vital role of community support in helping these families cope and continue their fight for answers, serving as a compelling call to action for justice and human rights.
Through intimate storytelling, In Limbo raises awareness of the ongoing uncertainty that leaves families in a perpetual state of limbo, unable to find closure.
Directed by Afterman--the animation duo consisting of Tsvetelina Zdraveva and Jerred North--and created and produced by London-based animation studio NOMINT, In Limbo was commissioned by the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC).
In a joint statement, Zdraveva and North shared, “Our film takes place on a theater stage, highlighting how such tragedies are far removed from ordinary life,” they continued. “The stage is circular, resembling an artificial, perpetually spinning obstacle course, with a target—the red tail lights—just within sight yet never within reach, symbolizing the family’s never-ending quest for justice.”
“We used a limited primary color palette to contrast the two worlds all families are pulled between. Minimalist compositions of starkly silhouetted characters and environments create the ominous atmosphere of a deeply painful and... Read More