Press release from Digital District:
French visual effects and motion graphics studio Digital District [1] recently collaborated with director Bruno Aveillan to create L'Odyssée de Cartier, a short film commissioned by Cartier to illustrate the rich 165-year history of the renowned jewelry house.
L'Odyssée de Cartier presents a grandiose fresco depicting the inspiration, values and symbols of the House of Cartier since its formation in 1847. The Dantesque film presents a fantasy universe filled with fascinating creatures and stunning décor. It’s a visual creation conceived as an invitation to dream… a moment suspended in air. The panther, Cartier's muse since 1914, is the hero of this epic saga, inviting viewers to follow it on its journey around the world, from the Italian mountains to classic Parisian cobblestones, passing the White Russia of the Tsars and the mysterious India of the Maharajas on the way.
Beyond the post production challenges presented by such an ambitious project, L'Odyssée de Cartier provided an opportunity for the collaborators to play a part in portraying the remarkable history of the renowned house. With passion, determination and months of hard work, Aveillan and Digital District managed to elevate what was on paper only a promising advertising spot into a cinematographic work of art.
One of the main challenges of L'Odyssée de Cartier was the creation of a photo-real CG panther, which the artists at Digital District brought to life and blended seamlessly with live-action footage of a real panther. For the Heavenly Dragon sequence showcasing Cartier’s Chimera Collection, Digital District created a CG dragon formed from precious metals and brightly colored gemstones. Digital District's talent asserts itself in the complete elaboration of the design planned by the director: the heavenly animal is magnified by its texture, and yet, the features of his face are faithful to the wood sculptures decorating the old Chinese temples' roofs. Lastly, its aerial flowing, created by the ability of the studio's animators, establishes it as a charismatic and divine character.
Digital District’s ability to create invisible effects was crucial to bringing the Aveillan’s vision to life. “L'Odyssée de Cartier is a magic trick relying on a combination of all the technologies used in cinema to immerse the audience in a waking dream,” Aveillan commented. “Digital District's know-how allowed us to turn that dream into reality."
Links:
[1] http://www.digital-district.fr/