May 17, 2023 – World-building creative lab Impossible Objects (IO) recently delivered a new spot for Dell’s Alienware, cleverly showing the gear’s undeniably strong “pull” on gamers. The 30-second spot “Gravity” visually transports viewers to new dimensions where their Alienware gear unlocks transcendent new gaming experiences.

 

Directed by Jay Walker, the spot begins by taking viewers through the Alienware campus and the Pro Lab, where gamers are using Alienware devices including gaming PCs and headphones. The gamers and their surroundings are then literally drawn into their devices by the mesmerizing “pull” of Alienware technology. 

 

The shoot was completed over three days in Los Angeles at three different locations, and the post was done remotely by a small team of IO artists. The IO team utilized a blend of traditional VFX work in After Effects, Maya, and Redshift that helped to elevate the look and feel of a cohesive “pull” effect. VFX supervisor Ruel Smith shared how both visible and invisible VFX are seen in the ad – from animating an adorable CG goldfish, to using fishing line to get a practical shot of an actor’s necklace hovering in mid-air. Throughout, the IO team ensured that the VFX complemented Alienware products to let them shine in the spotlight, rather than be overshadowed.

 

“It’s a testament to how far technology and software have come that we were able to complete this spot fully remotely, with everyone collaborating on shots live even though we weren’t in the same room,” said Smith. “We recently switched over to a virtual server hosted by Lucid Link, and we don’t see ourselves ever going back to a hard server or tools like Dropbox.”

 

Walker added, “This spot had a really fun creative brief to begin with, and working with IO to achieve the final spot was such a smooth process. Their talented artists pulled off a high-end look on a tight schedule, with the ‘pull’ effects seamlessly elevating the story.”

 

To view the spot, visit: Gear up for the Best Gaming Experience

 

About Impossible Objects

Impossible Objects was founded in 2019 by Joe Sill and Jerad Anderson. A self-described world-building lab, the company is made up of a team of artists and engineers who specialize in building projects that marry the physical and digital worlds to build commercial projects and original IP. Combining expertise in CG visualization and animation, real-time performance capture and navigation of green screen and LED volumes, the company is uniquely positioned to fill a burgeoning demand for virtual production.

 

Credits

Client: Dell’s Alienware

Production Company: Impossible Objects 

Director: Jay Walker 

Cinematographer: Scott Siracusano 

Exec. Producers: Joe Sill + Jerad Anderson 

Producer: Eric Ro 

Line Producer: Johnny Hernandez 

2nd Unit Director: Tyer Cunningham  

2nd Unit DP: Seannie Bryan 

Prod. Manager:  

Prod. Coord.: Cristian Riesgo

VFX Supervisor: Ruel Smith 

CG Creative Director: Zach Zombek 

Assistant Editor/MGX Artist: Tyson Johnson 

CG/VFX Lead: Casey C. Benn

Sr. CG/VFX Generalist: Luc Delamare 

Compositor Parker Schmidt 

CG/VFX Generalist: Victor Velasco 

CG Artist: Gabriella DeJesus 

Edit: Jakub Jelinek: 

Color: Marina Starke: 

Sound Post Production: Napa Records

Sound Post Producer: Martin Blauber

Score: Aid Kid (Ondra Mikula)

Starring:

Gabriela Banuelos 

Mara Relitien

Alec Wang 

Anna Drave

Nate Holston 

1st AC: AC Goodman

2nd AC A Cam: Theo Sturz

2nd AC A Cam: Gus Vazquez

1st AC B Cam: Meriel O’Connell

Trinity Op: Stas Vaganov

VTR: Ignacio Martinez Jr.

DIT: Parisa Resvani

Script Supervisor: Angeliea Stark

Cam Wheel Op: Jose Espinoza

Gaffer: Mathias Peralta

ACLTs: Hayden Klemes, Cameron Smith

SLT: Raul Cervantes

Board Op: Alex Gracie

Grip: Phantom Grip Co

Key Grip: Adam Shambour

Best Boy Grip: Luis Batres

Grip: Robert Alvarez, Grant Gilligan

Grip Driver: JD Howell

Production Designer: Matt Sokoler

Art Designer: Devin Parker

Leadman: Rico Turrubiarte

Set Dresser: Kevin Manning

Art Assist: Brittany Fontaine

LED Light Tech: Brittany Fontaine

Key MUA: Stacy Gonzalez

Key Hair: Stephanie Yniguez

Wardrobe: Nikki Parisi

Wardrobe Asst: Phillip Davonne Anderson

Crafty: Resa Cole

Truck PA: Paul Arroyo, Damien Pettway

Key PA: Sergio Ochoa

Production Assistants: Joseph Dale, Sebastian Bordigoni, Lacey Lahn, Angel Sanchez, Ervin Rosales, Ervin Rosales

Shuttle PAs: Omar Merino, Fabian Urista, Joshua Perry