Venice, CA-based visual effects studio The Mission crafts a miraculous, tornado-like homage to soccer mega star Cristiano Ronaldo in the new :60 “Vapor Trail” for Nike Football (Soccer) out of Wieden+Kennedy, Portland/Tokyo. The spot features a soccer team and stadium of fans fighting gale-force winds and debris—both human and non-human—as Ronaldo leaves a whirlwind en route to the goal.
The Mission handled comprehensive visual effects on the spot including on-set CG supervision, VFX and color correction.
“Vapor Trail” opens on a clown wig being blown through a soccer field littered with players. The wig rolls past fans, refs and photographers all struggling to stay grounded in the squall. Even an armored SWAT team becomes uprooted. Then we see what, or rather, who is causing the disturbance: Ronaldo dribbling with grace and speed toward the goal. He gives the ball a mighty kick into the net, then turns back to evaluate the now-settled clutter behind him. The supers “Be Fast. Be Mercurial.” glide into view, along with Nike’s new soccer cleat and their iconic logo.
Credits:
Client: Nike
Title: “Vapor Trail” :60
Agency: Wieden+Kenney, Portland/Tokyo
Global Creative Director: Ryan O’Rourke
Global Creative Director: Alberto Ponte
Copywriter: Andrew Miller
Art Director: Naoki Ga
Producer: Andy Murillo
Exec. Producer: Ben Grylewicz
ECD: Mark Fitzloff
ECD: Susan Hoffman
ECD: Caleb Jensen
Prod. Co.: Imperial Woodpecker
Director: Mark Zibert
Exec. Producer: Charlie Cocuzza
Line Producer: Andrew Travelstead
Editorial: Joint
Editor: Kyle Valenta
Post Prod: Shelli Jury
VFX: The Mission, Venice, CA
VFX EP: Michael Pardee
VFX CD: Rob Trent
Flame Artist: Miles Esmiller
Flame Artist: Michael Vaglienty
Flame Artist: Katrina Salicrup
VFX Producer: Diana Cheng
Color: The Mission, Venice, CA
Sound Design: Michael Anastasi
Producer: Kelly Bayett
Mix Company: Barking Owl, L.A.
Mix Company: Brock Babcock
About The Mission
The Mission is a high-end visual effects studio specializing in commercials, film and digital content. It is located in the middle of the pop-culture hub known as Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA.
With the talents of some of the most creative and experienced artists in the industry, working with the latest tools and a top-notch production staff, The Mission is a lean and dynamic powerhouse of a partner to deploy into your creative process.
From concepting, previs, and on-set-supervision, to 2d and 3d visual effects work & design, and on to final mastering, The Mission brings a smart, beautiful and efficient component to every visual dimension of your project.