Golden Ponds
Golden Square was selected by John Spary Associates to undertake the online special effects work for the latest Ponds commercial directed by Luzian Schlatter. Luzian produced a detailed animatic that greatly aided the creation of a detailed timeframe and shot breakdown for the required effects work. The commercial was shot and offline edited in China before the baton was handed to Golden Square for the work to begin on the special effects. Luzian achieved a great deal in camera and it was then the remit of Golden Square to enhance and beautify the film. Harry Jarman, the lead Flame artist enhanced every shot in the commercial; several background plates were composited into scenes and the majority of shots had snow or atmospheric particles added. There was also a large amount of beauty work and additional grading performed in the suite.
3D artist Mike Little worked on 3 sections of the commercial. Mike created dandelion seeds to help with the beautiful floating summer section at the beginning of the commercial. The demo sequence - although initially captured in camera - was eventually created entirely in 3D and begins with the butterflies flying in to herald the arrival of the moisture cream and its winter benefits. We followed the bubbles which represented the 2 main components of the cream as they travel up the tube until they are applied to the face in a cleansing effect created in 2D.
The commercial has already made a great impact since being on air as described by Ogilvy a Mather producer Weisian Lee:-
“A beautiful Commercial for Ponds that is different from their previous spot, yet still maintains their signature. Thanks to the director Luzian and Golden Square, this spot has become the talk of the town from the moment it went on air. It was a good experience working with the fun-loving and hard-working people in Golden Square, and I can't wait for my next job to be with them again”.