LOS ANGELES — Zoic Studios, director Loni Peristere and Global Hue have completed two national spots for Jeep that show how the automaker’s Wrangler is equipped to take on winter.
The :30 Avalanche spot centers around a Winter X Edition Jeep that sits waiting on a peaceful mountain slope. As the Jeep takes off down the mountainside viewers realize that a disaster awaits — an avalanche rolling towards the speeding vehicle. With twists and turns the Jeep stays ahead of the rolling mass of snow, elegantly outrunning it as it destroys everything in its path. Finally the avalanche rolls over the Jeep and consumes the vehicle, bringing the action coming to a rest. Moments later the Jeep breaks out and drives away.
The ad features live hero vehicle footage, CG vehicle elements and combinations of live action and CG. Extensive matte painting was employed to reimagine tree and ridge lines, particle systems work is throughout, and there is heavy compositing. Integration of CG cars in several shots was supervised by CG leads Dariush Derakhshani and Brian White. Flame compositing work was overseen by Steve Meyer and the spot was cut in house at Zoic by Dmitri Gueer.
Zoic used Phantom and Alexa cameras to capture the elegance in motion and lighting. Mauro Fiore served as Director of Photography for the commercial. Location services were overseen by EJ Foerster and Karen Rohrbacher of CMS Productions.
WATCH THE SPOT
The second Jeep Winter X Edition spot — A Little Snow — was shot in the snow covered mountains of Utah. Zoic and Peristere blended live action in-snow footage, visual effects and Robert Frost’s poetry to create a spot that highlights the brand’s off-road abilities. Steve Meyer led the team as senior Flame compositor aided by the 3D team under the supervision of Derakhshani. Alison Veneto-Grady cut the spot in-house for Zoic. Yessian Music handled the sound design and mix.