While all filming took place in and around Prague, the narrative of this spot takes place in four different locations around the earth in addition to a full CG fantasy world toward the end of the action. The Mill helped create this environmental transformation to fit the vision from Untitled Worldwide and Fredrik by adding detailed background elements in CG and incorporating matte painting. This was central to the end sequence, which features snow created by a customized Nuke particle system and flaming arrowheads made in Houdini.

2D Lead Artist Martin Karlsson comments, “In close collaboration with the agency, we shaped the look and feel of this full CG crescendo. I think we found a good balance of the scale of the fire, snow and arctic environment compared to the size of the mini soldiers. The amount of animation that was turned around for this spot was phenomenal and you can watch the spot over and over and still discover new things.”

Adds 3D Lead Artist Dave Lawson, “This spot gave us a great opportunity to make a really creative end shot with the CG monster slowly dying. It was great to get the chance to contribute to so many creative decisions through out the process.”

Catch the armies in action again in ‘Office Army’.