I was booked by BBC WW as the lead digital artist for the TopGear campaign. The project included 2 Iconic images and a number of editorial shots to be used for both print & digital platforms.
The Briefs:
Was to create high-detail seamless composite images combining photographic elements that have been shot specifically for this project with CGI and stock imagery. Images were to be printed on billboards and various publications as well as used for digital.
The Concept: Iconic 1 Teaser
The presenters are central in the frame on a racetrack. They are surrounded by coloured smoke coming from the wheels of a car that the Stig is driving.
The Challenges:
The main challenge was to create a dynamic red colour smoke coming from the rear wheels of the car. It was to look as if the driver was caught in the moment while drifting/ doing 'dougnuts' around the presenters. Also, to ensure that all the elements shot in the studio sat well in the backplate and the cars wheels were spinning in motion.
The Concept: Iconic 2
The smoke around the presenters evaporates revealing a busy scene full of different elements from the upcoming season of the show.
The Challenge:
There was a number of challenges with this image. Firstly to establish the correct perspective that would still give a dynamic and interesting composition as outlined in the original moodboard. A number of the objects that were intended to be included in the image were unavailable for the shoot therefore we were required to sourse stock images or create detailed and accurate CG models. The challenge here was combining these elements seamlessly for a lifelike realistic image.
The Process
First of all, I needed to create a backplate to sit all the elements in. The client instructed that they wanted the scene to resemble the Balearic Islands. I comped it using numerous stock images that I found online. Using stock images can be tricky and time consuming, due to needing to find the images that not only fit well conceptually but also match the lighting conditions and perspective, etc. These Iconics were to be printed in high scale as 96-sheet-posters, so I needed to make sure the resolution and detail would be able able to deliver on print.
Next we went to shoot all the elements for both iconics as well as all the editorial portraits.
Huge thanks to photographer Todd Anthony and his team for doing such a great job on the day.
Please scroll through the images below to see the process of creating Iconic 1 Teaser.
To create smoke I used plates of smoke that the photographer shot for me.
Please scroll through the images below to see the process of creating Iconic 2.
Additionally I retouched a number of photographs that were to be used for editorial purposes.
Many many thanks to everyone involved in this project for making it such great and memorable experience. There were so many people involved at different stages but these are the stars I was lucky enough to work directly with.
Senior Creative Director - Rafaela Perera
Head of Design - Nick Meikle
Art Director - Martin Duhovic
Senior Account Director - Jane St Claire-George
Creative Retoucher - Elena Agafonovaite
CGI Artist - Colin Howieson
Photographer - Todd Anthony
Art Work - Ranjit Sehambi & Tommy Miller
Studio Manager - Steven Blundell
Martin Duhovic, Elena Agafonovaite, Nick Meikle, Jane St Claire-George