Rabbit directing team Black Swan transforms desert creatures into a dapper group in the charming new :40 “Wildly Civilized” for Renault out of Publicis Conseil, Paris.  The spot features a gang of meerkats racing to polish up their image for the arrival of the sophisticated new Renault Koleos.  Black Swan’s Nick Losq worked closely with post house Mathematic Studios throughout the entire process to develop the detailed CG environment and to define the character and movement of the drab-to-fab gang of meerkats.

Losq began the process by pouring over real footage of meerkats in their natural habitats, carefully observing and capturing their notably humanlike mannerisms.  He spent a total of three and a half weeks working closely with the Carnibird team in Paris directing the previs and overseeing the final picture to ensure that the CG creatures were as realistic as possible and appropriately served to tell the story through this real life motion.  He notes, “We wanted to ensure that the meerkats were not overly cartoony and I pulled a great deal of references to provide imagery to help the team simulate how the animals would move in each shot.”  Losq returned to Paris for the final week of the production, ensuring that each element of the post production aligned with the lifelike vision of the spot.

“Wildly Civilized” opens on a shot of a remote desert road, void of any traffic or human presence.  We cut to a shot of a family of antsy meerkats frolicking and lounging in the sun.  One of the idling creatures ceases its lounging and immediately jolts upright, sensing something approaching in the distance.  We then cut to a shot of a Renault Koleos careening down the sandy road.  The gang of suddenly frazzled meerkats begin to scramble into their hole in preparation for the arrival of the lone vehicle.  As the Renault approaches the clan’s location, the meerkats emerge from their hole, dressed in full black tie from the waist, up.  The gang stands at attention as the Renault dramatically passes in slow motion, gaping as they view their dapper reflections in the vehicle’s reflective black exterior.  As the car speeds away, a voiceover begins, “The new Renault Koleos.  Wildly Civilized.”  The meerkats dreamily gaze at the vehicle moving away in the distance as we cut to the super, “Renault. Quality made.”  The spot closes with the Renault logo accompanied by the super, “Drive the change.”

About Rabbit

Launched in 2009, Rabbit is a bi-coastal production company representing a diverse and unique roster of directors, producers, designers, VFX artists and brand experience builders.

We handle all aspects of production, from preproduction through delivery – across platforms, disciplines, technologies and genres – and have developed a creative ecosystem that allows us to draw upon top global talent to fit the needs of any project.

At Rabbit, the only constant is our commitment to learn, collaborate, and celebrate the power of creative thinking.

Credits:

Client: Renault
Title: “Wildly Civilized” :40
Airdate: Currently Airing
Agency: Publicis Conseil, Paris
Creative Director: Marcelo Vergara
Agency Producer: Nathalie Levincent
Agency Producer: Pierre Marcus, WAM, Paris
Production Company: Carnibird, Paris
Director: Nick Losq @Black Swan
Producer: Sam Fontaine
Post Production: Mathematic Studio, Paris