In this promo for German TV network ZDF, star soccer players take to celestial skies. The :30 was directed by Tom Robinson and Stephen Ross, a.k.a. the directing duo H Block, from production house MPC Creative.
Soccer superstars were put in outer space by MPC's VFX contingent. 3D planets were created from NASA satellite images. Advanced particle-rendering software was deployed. Epic action footage of footballers including Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Messi and Germany’s Thomas Müller and Marco Reus was altered so the sportsmen appear outlined as constellations blasting around the solar system.
Credits
Visual Effects/Animation MPC, London Leianna Campbell, VFX producer; Tom Robinson & Stephen Ross, a.k.a. H-Block, VFX supervisors and color grade; Samuele Cisternino, William MacNeil, Richard Sutton, Rupert Cresswell, Matteo Morando, motion graphics (Toolbox: Zbrush, Cinema 4D, After Effects, Premier, Photoshop, V-Ray, TurbulenceFD, X Particles, Nuke, DaVinci Resolve Lite) Agency none Production MPC Creative, London Tom Robinson, Stephen Ross, a.k.a. H-Block, directors
For the global EX30 Cross Country launch, Volvo and creative agency Forsman & Bodenfors wants to de-dramatize the outdoor experience--and remind people that small trips into nature can be grand experiences.
Cross Country is Volvo’s concept of turning their regular cars into more outdoor-capable versions, with higher ground clearance, all-wheel drive and other features making it more capable and off-road ready. And now, the compact, fully electric EX30 becomes available as a Cross Country version. It’s a small car designed for big experiences, made to elevate both urban living and outdoor adventure, and to bring people closer to nature.
“With Volvo being such a human-centric brand, it felt natural to focus on the human side of nature. The child’s perspective became the perfect metaphor for this, to spend time in nature on nature’s terms,” said Karl Risenfors, creative at Forsman & Bodenfors.
In a category that often portrays epic journeys deep into the wilderness, the campaign serves as a reminder that even everyday adventures can be memorable experiences. Thus this launch spot--directed by Marcus Ibanez via production company New-Land--shows nature through the point of view of a child. A child’s imagination and perspective generates a visual metaphor for the magic that nature can bring, no matter the scale of the adventure.
