Case Study | Previz and Storyboarding
Guinness
TVC | 2024
Produced by FINCH Company
Directed by Michael Hili
The creative concept for this pitch was a simple one liner about an optical illusion… but ensuring it could be achieved on set, in a very small window of lighting opportunity and on film using a 16mm camera required a lot of previz and planning.
With some basic 3D assets and keyframe animated characters I was able to validate Michael’s idea ‘in camera’ - delivering images and animated edits in varying frame ratios.
I later worked with the Production Designer, supplying accurate drawings and 3D model exports to guide the build process.
Stage 1 | A dimensionally accurate 3D scene, animated placeholder characters and camera help to plan the shot.
Stage 2 | With the motion validated, we added lighting to explore how to orient the shoot on the beach, using an accurate sun position and a recreation of the chosen location in Tasmania.
Stage 3 | With the motion and orientation of the physical set decided, we then ensured that variations of the hero shot would work in both portrait and landscape orientations.
Stage 4 | Having an accurate environment and lighting position also allowed Michael and I to explore a wide variety of alternate angles for still photography and cutdown shots.
This provided a wealth of options to refer to on the shoot day when the sunrise light was only available for a vert short amount of time.
Final Product | The shoot was a success, filmed entirely on a 16mm camera with unique props crafted to ensure the footage matched the previsualization as accurately as possible.
