In this spot we see beautiful, CGI, mechanical butterflies made from individual components of the all-new Ford Focus Active hatching out of chrysalis to come together in a stunning kaleidoscope to form the new vehicle. The ad uses the butterflies to symbolize the beauty that can emerge from change.
The Ford UK commercial was directed by Steve Cope at 2AM Films for agency GTB UK. Visual effects house on the job was Electric Theatre Collective.
Neil Scholes, VFX supervisor at Electric, said: “It was a blast working on this new Ford film. The director, Steve Cope, wanted to enjoy the mechanical nature of these butterflies, and to see all the different car materials from red glass to white metallic paint. The challenge was keeping the animation playful and realistic but also making sure all the different tones and colors combined correctly whilst forming the car. We’re really happy with the end result.”
Credits
Client Ford UK/Ford Focus Active Agency GTB Paul Yull, Adrian Birkinshaw, executive creative directors; Ash Prentice, James Child, creatives; Romila Sanassy, Aaron Clark, producers. Production 2AM Films Steve Cope, director; Nick Crabb, managing director/exec producer; Chris Cable, producer. VFX Electric Theatre Collective, London Jon Purton, producer; Neil Scholes, VFX supervisor/3D lead; Tobin Brett, FX lead; Iain Murray, 2D lead; Alex Prod’Homme, Christian Block, Alex Grey, Aitor Arroyo, Daniel Manning, 2D artists; Gareth Bell, Thanos Topouzis, Ryan Maddox, Patrick Krafft Conor Ryan, Nicolas Lebas, Max Johnson, Stephane Renaldi, Quentin Dubois, Tom Di Stasio, Thanos Kousis, Eddy Martinez, Nick Turner, Kristopher Gropatsakis, 3D artists; Luke Morrison, colorist (Toolbox: Flame, Nuke, Maya, Houdini)
Stain remover Vanish presents this emotional short film--created by BETC Havas, Sao Paulo, and produced by LOBO--that explores the profound consequences of bullying and highlights the importance of open conversations between parents and children. Titled The Bully Monster, the animated film premiered at the Maquinaria Festival in Rio de Janeiro on February 15 in a special edition featuring family-focused programming.
The film’s protagonist is a boy who experiences bullying at school but keeps silent about his suffering. Isolation turns sadness into insecurity, creating invisible emotional scars that only grow in the absence of dialogue. When his mother notices stains on his uniform, these marks become the starting point for a revealing conversation. As words find space to make themselves heard, the stains begin to fade.
This initiative aligns with the Vanish Saves Your Uniform campaign, which, for the past three years during the back-to-school season, has engaged with parents by positioning the brand as a trusted partner in preserving school uniforms. This year, Vanish decided to broaden the conversation, bringing bullying into the debate as the real stain that can impact a child’s life.
The Bully Monster is being screened as preshow material in movie theaters starting February 20 and will also be available on streaming platforms and digital channels. In addition to the film, the campaign will include out-of-home activations and school initiatives through a partnership with Abrace – Preventive Programs, the founding organization of the “Bullying-Free Schools” program, which has been equipping institutions with resources to combat school violence for 12 years.
“Research indicates that stains on a uniform can... Read More
