A Monster Demands Attention in Pepsi's Comedy Horror Spot

TELEVISOR shares its scary yet engaging spot for PepsiCo. 

This project provided a great opportunity for the character department to showcase their skills and was a collaborative effort that the team truly value. 

The initial part of the spot is filled with suspense reminiscent of a Hollywood horror movie. The following part transitions into pure comedy, demanding precise timing and expressive character performances. Despite the distinct atmospheres of these two worlds, they seamlessly blend together to form a cohesive and engaging film.

The spot was directed by Spare Brain. 

Every monster’s detail was essential to him, from the blisters and scars (signs of his turbulent and violet past) on the creature’s silicone skin, created by a prosthetics specialist, choreography, to the movement of each animated tentacle on his CG head, made by TELEVISOR.

“The idea was that the beast should have two personas: a scary and an uber-scary one. The team intention was that the monster’s transformation from one persona to the other would frighten both the characters in the film and the audience watching them, and therefore, the tension would spike when no one was expecting it” said Spare Brain.

The TELEVISOR team, in collaboration with Marcin Rubinkowski, a long time collaborator, developed a captivating concept involving a peeling head that resonated with everyone involved. They skilfully brought to life the dual personas of the creature, showcasing their creativity and talent in the process.

The appearance of the creature drew inspiration from popular productions like 'Stranger Things' and 'A Quiet Place.' Standing seven feet tall, the beast featured elongated arms, large clawed hands, unique non-human eyes, and a versatile mouth capable of expressing emotions like annoyance or disappointment. 

A key aspect was the monster’s ability to transition from a frightening to a harmless, even slightly comical, look in the second part of the commercial. 

The rigging artists’ exceptional work on the monster’s facial expressions played a crucial role in achieving this effect.

Integrating live-action footage with a CG character posed a significant technical challenge in this project. The actor wore a costume created by the SFX department, onto which the TELEVISOR team digitally added a CG head. The compositing unit meticulously ensured that the CG head seamlessly matched the live-action footage and addressed any imperfections in the costume digitally. 

The creative animation approach was influenced by the anatomy of the CG head, with the monster’s tentacles mirroring the actor’s movements while also exhibiting independent, writhing motions akin to an octopus. 

Additionally, the monster’s head featured an inner layer that only became visible during predatory attacks, enhancing the overall sense of fear and suspense.

The combination of these components produces a remarkable spectacle for both the eyes and the mind and it’s also cool!