Mohammad Ali brought back into the ring for Showmax Game Changers'

9 October, 2020 - 06:02

Egg Films Adrian de sa Garces had the impossible task of resurrecting the greatest boxer of all time in his latest spot for Showmax, Game Changers. As if that wasnt already a massive undertaking, it all had to be done during lockdown level 4 while the country was declared a national state of disaster.

Showmax Pro bundles the existing Showmax streaming service with music, news and live sport from SuperSport. To launch Showmax Pro, Adrian was tasked by its creative team of Philippa Heal, Georja Romano and Jordan Tryon to rewind time and bring back to life one of historys greatest sporting using computer graphics while also celebrating the iconic game changers in sport today.

The result is a magical piece of creative visual storytelling, set to the backdrop of Alis famous speech.

View the commercial here: https://vimeo.com/466056602

Due to the stringent lockdown restrictions, the team used a combination of motion capture, 3D set pieces and live-action. The live-action elements were shot in a studio in Cape Town, using real-time in-camera streaming and Zoom to connect with the agency. The motion capture shoot took place at Chocolate Tribe in Johannesburg.

In studio, Adrian worked with a boxer to match Alis unorthodox movements and fancy footwork, with hair and makeup helping to recreate his unmistakable silhouette. For the boxer to float like a butterfly, he needed to emulate distinctly recognisable Ali moves like the The Ali Shuffle or the unique ways Ali used the jab.

These brief real-world elements brought a live-action impact and tactility that resulted in the 3D action feeling even more authentic. Chocolate Tribe then spent more than 12 weeks creating an almost entirely 3D environment and constructing a 3D Ali.

Adrian pulls back the curtain: The boxer emulated Alis style, but we only used him in the close-ups on Alis feet and the punching bag inserts that were shot in a studio. I would say that for about 90% of the commercial you are watching a 3D-constructed Ali.

Game Changers was a massive undertaking that required a team of experts all working remotely across the country while facing a pandemic, and it has to be said that it wouldnt have been possible without the trust that Showmax and Connected Videos chief marketing CMO, Natasha Matos-Hemingway, put in the process.

Chocolate Tribes technical ability and a considered approach to the work was exactly what it took to honour a champion whose legacy defied the odds.

Credits:

Title: Game Changers

Client: Showmax

Agency: Showmax

Chief Executive Officer: Yolisa Phahle

Chief Marketing Officer: Natasha Matos-Hemingway *

Senior Manager for Marketing & Studio: Lauren McInnes

Marketing Manager: Vuyo Mhlophe

Creative Lead: Philippa Heal

Senior Art Director: Georja Romano

Senior Copywriter: Jordan Tryon

Marketing Producer: Beth Maaroganye

Production House: Egg Films

Director: Adrian de sa Garces

Director of Photography: Paul Gilpin

Art Director: Adi Koen

Production Producer: Lisa Gardner

Executive Producer: Colin Howard

Lead Actor: Arnold Akani Phuzi

Wardrobe Designer: Sylvia Van Heerden

Editing Company: Strangelove

Editor: Xander Van Der Westhuizen

Post-Production Company: Chocolate Tribe & Strangelove

Sound Design and Final Mix: Audio Militia

Music Rights and Licensing: Audio Militia

Studios for Live-Action Shoot: Cape Island Studios

Motion Capture Shoot: The Chocolate Tribe

Commercials

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