youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovcYruh1538&w=560&h=349

Digital studio Radium/Reel FX, Santa Monica/Dallas (www.radiumreelfx.com) forces drivers to double-check their blind spots for motorcycles in a startling new :30 PSA “Invisible” for TXDOT out of Sherry Matthews Advocacy Marketing, Austin, TX, directed by Radium/Reel FX’s Kevin Althans.  The spot features a man zoning out during his commute, only to be suddenly impacted by an unseen force, which turns out to be a motorcycle that he had failed to notice.

Althans is known both for his comfort behind the camera as well as his work both as an on-set and digital visual effects supervisor. While the spot could have taken a significantly CGI route, Althans decided to execute the sheet metal carnage almost entirely in-camera so the reactions and feelings were genuine.  He worked with local car expert Jeff Milburn on this practical concept.  Notes Althans, “I came up with an ambitious idea for a rig that internally collapsed sections of the car using steel cables and a tow vehicle.”  Althans used a Phantom Flex and RED MX to shoot the hero stunt cars on location, resulting in an in-camera visual that is almost entirely practical.  For editorial and post production, Radium/Reel FX Editor Quan Tran worked closely with Althans to hone the message of the spot.  Althans remained creative lead through post, entrusting the visual effects to VFX Supervisor Dan Dixon.  The clean-up and rig-removal was done in Inferno and Dixon’s team re-created the breaking glass windshield in CGI.

“Invisible” opens on a man inside his car, lackadaisically making his daily trek to work as he partially listens to his radio.  As he comes to a stop sign, he makes his sideways glances quickly before advancing, only to incur sudden impact on his front end by an invisible force.  We hear the voiceover, “Motorcycles are not invisible,” as the car is smashed to the right, forming dents and cracking the dashboard.  As the driver gets out of the vehicle, the voiceover continues, “But they can seem that way to drivers who aren’t paying close attention.”  The man surveys the damage to his car before taking a wider gaze at the accident, realizing that he has actually come into contact with a motorcycle.  The felled cycle now lies on its side with the rider tossed off screen.  The voiceover concludes, “Look twice for motorcycles.  Seeing them is saving them.”  The spot concludes with the super, “Share the Road.  Look Twice for Motorcycles,” along with the super, “Save a Life.  Texas Department of Transportation.”

About Radium/Reel FX

Founded in 1993, Radium/Reel FX (Dallas/Santa Monica) is an award-winning creative studio that produces animation and visual effects-driven content from “script to screen” for blue chip Entertainment and Commercial clients.  The studio is known worldwide for its ability to craft innovative solutions, as well as the breadth of its capabilities which also includes motion design, editorial and audio work. In addition, Radium/Reel FX develops original, multi-platform content for feature films and film franchises, and supports its creative endeavors with cutting-edge, proprietary technology. Radium/Reel FX is home to a roster of top creative talent, with a diverse and experienced team of almost 300 production executives, artists and staff who work between its Dallas and Santa Monica studios.

Credits:

Client: TXDOT
Title: “Invisible” :30
Airdate: Currently airing
Agency: Sherry Matthews Advocacy Marketing, Austin, TX
Broadcast Producer: Peggy Moore
Creative Director: Wally Williams
Exec. Creative Director: Charles Webre
VFX/Live Action: Radium/Reel FX, Santa Monica/Dallas
Director/DP: Kevin Althans
Live-Action Producer: Cindy Fertitta
Post Producer: Kurt Kirchner
VFX Supervisor: Dan Dixon
Editor: Quan Tran
Assistant Editor: John McStravick
Inferno Artists: Mike Roy, Laychin Lee, Jared Brower
CG Artists: Bernhard Rieder, Brandon Stoker, Patrick Gray
Audio Company: Tequila Mockingbird, Austin, TX