VFX Supervisor/Lead VFX Artist Nic Seresin of Smoke & Mirrors New York created the purposefully retro vfx for two amusing :30 spots highlighting the Thinkpad and Ideapad of Lenovo's line of products.
TROLL features two men seated in an airport lounge fixated on their laptops. Curiosity impels the older man to ask his neighbor if he's using a Lenovo Ideapad. The younger, more laid back man responds "yes" and demonstrates his one key recovery for lost work. Reluctantly, the older man presses a button producing an opening to another realm, beckoning a four foot troll. The grotesque figure offers condolences and a fruit basket for lost work.
LASER opens in a coffee shop where two men demonstrate their laptops and distinct defenses against liquids. The Lenovo Thinkpad is equipped with a spill resistant keyboard while the other sports a violent laser. The man becomes embarrassingly apologetic as the orange laser beam bursts a coffee pot, blasts a fish tank, and cremates a sweaty overweight man.
Credits:
Client: LenovoSpot Title: TROLL, LASERAir Date: Olympics 2008
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, New YorkCreative Directors: Jeff Curry, Aaron GriffithsCopywriter: Tristan KincaidArt Director: Mervyn ReyProducer: Be GarrettAssistant Producer: Kristen Ettinger
Prod Company: Uber ContentDirector: Dave LadenExec Producer/ Partner: Preston LeeExec Producer/Partner: Phyllis KoenigHead Of Production: Steve WiProducer: Andy Grasheim
Post/Effects: Smoke & Mirrors/NYVFX Supervisor/Lead VFX Artist: Nic SeresinCreative Director: Sean BroughtonManaging Director: Jo MorganExec. Producer: Celest GilbertProducer: Lauren ShaweAssistant Flame Artist: Sam Caine
Editorial: Uber ContentEditor: Christjan JordanExec. Producer: Maura WoodwardProducer: Heather RichardsonAssistant Editor: Colleen McKay
Telecine: The MillSenior Colorist: Damien Van Der CruyssenAssistant Colorist: Alex MaxwellProducer: Claudia Guevara