Mill+ director Randall Stevens worked with Crispin Porter + Bogusky to create ‘Manifesto’ for Infiniti. The Mill’s VFX, Colour, Mill+ and Design teams helped bring to life breathtaking scenery and meticulously-crafted digital elements throughout the film, relaying the beauty of the brand and its message through moving image.
2D Lead Artist Steve Cokonis comments, “We were able to work directly with the agency, which allowed us to exercise a lot of creativity in our approach. With CP+B’s vision in mind, we knew ‘Manifesto’ would differ from your typical car commercial.”
Steve and Mill+ Creative Director Andrew Proctor were on set to ensure all live-action footage would later be fused together with created elements and environments as smoothly as possible. Key components of the spot – for example, the idle vehicle in profile as strips of light whiz by – were a combination of directing practical elements on set and enhancing them in post using programs like AfterEffects.
Steve adds, “We ended up creating a number of environments entirely in post, using matte painting and 2D animation. One of the challenges we faced was ensuring everything we created was photo-real, so you wouldn’t be able to differentiate between the created environments what was filmed during the live shoot.”
Additionally, VFX artists at The Mill created an array of unique articles including abstract, geometric light projections, a fully CG car tunnel and a custom automobile x-ray.