Produced by Nexus Studios in collaboration with agency Johannes Leonardo, this handcrafted animation piece titled “The Last Mile” serves as a farewell tribute to the Volkswagen Beetle, looking back on its 80-year lifespan. Director FX Goby of Nexus takes us through the decades, telling both a personal and cultural history of our relationship with the beloved Bug, which has been a counterculture, pop and political icon.
The ;90, which will be shown at Times Square on New Year’s Eve as well as airing on NBC, CNN and ABC before the ball drops, is set to a rendition of “Let it Be” by the Pro Musica Youth Chorus children’s choir.
Rostoscoped using a traditional hand-drawn technique, the spot conveys the warm affection held for the Bug by owners and enthusiasts. Goby said, “The film has a limited color palette, evocative of a warm, nostalgic feel. We wanted the film to feel warm and tactile, as if every frame had been printed, keeping the slight happy accidents of overlapping colors and paper textures.”
Credits
Client Volkswagen Agency Johannes Leonardo, New York Jan Jacobs, Leo Premutico, chief creative officers; Jimm Lasser, executive creative director; Laura Longstaff, creative director/art director; Chris Luu, art director; Brandon Holliday, copywriter; Charles Watlington, design director; Austin Haas, jr. creative; Loren Lee, sr. project manager; Maria Perez, head of integrated production; Benton Roman, group executive producer; Rebecca O’Neill, executive producer; Mary Bakarich, group strategy director. Production Nexus Studios, London and Los Angeles FX Goby, director; Chris O’Reilly, executive creative director; Juliet Tierney, exec producer; Cindy Burnay, sr. producer; Rebecca Archer, line producer; Manshen Lo, art director; Pierre Rougemont, Fanny Hagdahl Sorebo, Signe Cold, design; Louis Kynd, storyboards; Antonin Derory, Lea Arachtingi, 3D; Michael Firkowski, animation supervisor; Diego Porral, animation lead; Alex Bernas, Alex Potts, Alex Dray, Emma Wakely, Flora Caulton, Guillaume Pochez, Iris Abols, Nelly Michenaud, Sim Marriott, animation; Bethany Levy, Dylan White, Elliott Kajdan, Leo Bubani, Paul Rice, composite; Thomas Heleta, Dave Slade, Joe Eckworth, edit, Live Action La Productora, service company. Jame Lloyd, exec producer; Diego Gregorio, line producer; Fernando Lorenzale, DP; Carlos Hoffman, assistant director; Cecilia Guerriero, art director; Mercedes Kicelian, costume stylist; Pablo Riera, editor. Music Human Justin Hori, arrangement of “Let It Be”; Justin Hori, Andrew Bloch, creative lead; James Dean Wells, exec producer; Pro Musica Youth Chorus, choir. Sound Design/Mix Sonic Union Steve Rosen, sound designer; Pat Sullivan, producer; Justine Cortale, studio director. Music Supervision Groove Guild Al Risi, music supervisor.
This trailer promotes Charge Around The Globe, a new adventure docuseries that follows record-breaking traveler Lexie Limitless on an extraordinary journey to circumnavigate the globe in an electric vehicle--traveling over 30,000 kilometers across six continents, all in pursuit of one world record. The three-part series on Prime Video in the U.K. showcases the capabilities of modern electric vehicles while immersing viewers in the numerous experiences and challenges Lexie encounters throughout her journey. As she navigates various challenges throughout her trip, Charge Around the Globe serves as a testament to the spirit of exploration. Ford, Wieden+Kennedy London and WracK teamed on the series.
The documentary aims to address the primary concern hindering many consumers from transitioning to electric: doubts about the range and capability of electric vehicles. As a 120-year-old brand, Ford looked to its past as inspiration for the switch that’s taking place today. Over a century ago, pioneering explorer Aloha Wanderwell set off from Nice at the age of 16 to become the first woman to drive around the world in a Ford Model T. Now, in 2024, we get to see Lexie, the youngest person to visit every country in the world, take to the wheel of the electric Ford Explorer, reinventing that historic journey for a new generation. Along the way, she meets extraordinary people, navigates difficult terrains, and faces the challenges of a constantly evolving charging infrastructure that puts her to the test.
“Charge Around The Globe has been the ultimate test drive for our new electric Ford Explorer. We took on every kind of weather and road condition and dealt with just about every charging scenario. The journey embodies the true... Read More
