This warm and witty spot showcases Dorset Cereals’ personality and links to nature, aiming to build on the emotional connection between consumers and the brand. Directed by Conor Finnegan, the ‘Life Begins at Breakfast’ message uses entertaining animal characters supporting the brand image to reinforce how important breakfast is to starting the day. The brief was to create a world where Mike, a bird DJ who works at Dorset AM, wakes the nation with his early morning radio show, Dawn Chorus. It was a tight enough schedule from initial go-ahead, with just two weeks for model/ character-maker, Jessica Dance, to create all 18 characters (each one lovingly crafted in 100% organic British lambs wool). Meanwhile, Andy Gent and his team were creating the miniature sets and props that make up the film. We had a two day shoot at Clapham Road studios where we shot all the puppets live-action on set, puppeteering them on sticks and creating walk-cycles with lumpy wheels. After the shoot it was back to Nexus HQ where we began adding all the 2D animated arms, legs, wings, eyes and 3D beaks, etc. It was lovely to see the film come together from initial designs to sets and characters being built to finally adding the VO and animation. Each step getting closer to the finished product.

The Pond were asked to create all the CGI VFX shots for this Square Box Film's TV spot. We used motion control camera data to track the CG elements into the live action footage. We rendered the CGI elements and composited them with the green screen live action to created the final images. To view a shot by shot breakdown of how it all came together, please visit our website, here... http://www.thepondstudio.com/#!lwow/vstc25=lwow_split_screen