Casino Arizona "Snack" commercial - visual fx breakdowns

Casino Arizona "Snack"

February 20, 2010
agency: Riester-Phoenix
post house: Blade
fx supervisor: Michael Bostick
compositing: Michael Bostick
color grading: Mark Trengove & Michael Bostick

toolset: 35mm, After Effects, Combustion, Final Cut Pro & Photoshop


production photos - setting up to film the tunnel sequence for one of the two commercials

 

 

post production summary:

Casino Arizona recently filmed two new commercials in Phoenix.  The spots involve seemingly ordinary situations at home - doing laundry & making a late night snack.  The heros are then transported down a wormhole they discover in their dryer and fridge to a fantasy evening at Casino Arizona.  

This was the last project I worked on at Blade Editorial.  I supervised the fx shoot which took place at a vacant house in North Phoenix.  Shot of 35mm, the approach to the visual fx was a combination of practical and digital fx.  The props included two 8 ft. long tunnels (open on one side for camera placement), gutted dryer and fridge (actors were pulled thru on a board mounted inside) & false walls in the garage.  The glowing light fx that pulses from the appliances were created with practical lights and then enhanced in post & telecine. 

The compositing work consisted of a wide shot of the hero entering the fridge.  This was accomplished be stitching three different plates.  The tunnel shot was constructed with the filmed tunnel prop plate and a live action greenscreen plate (the actors simply laid on a table - hovering off the end).  Particle effects were used to give the sense of coldness in the fridge tunnel by adding some breathe to the actor.  All the volumetric light effects were created in Photoshop & After Effects.  There were also a few signage shots from the casino were Casino Arizona logos were tracked in.

I will post breakdowns once the spot has aired.

thanks to the Riester team for their assistance! 

concept to completion: one week