Wolf Attack

Look Dev

We leaned into a palette that would give the three main elements (the plants being treated, the soil, and the wolves) distinction. The wolves take on the color of the particle to establish continuity. A bold orange light illuminates each scene – bringing our palette together and adding more drama. For most shots, we used a narrow depth of field. We wanted to show a pack of wolves charging forward, but in many instances only focused on one or two at a time. Since all of this action takes place under a young corn plant, a narrow depth of field gives an appropriate sense of a scale to each scene. As a result of the wolves representing the product that protects the plant, they each have trails of vapor that depict their activated state as vigilant defenders.

Animation & Simulation

Based on reference images provided by the client, we meticulously crafted the visual representation of the fertilizer particle. We analyzed the textures, color palettes, and overall shapes represented in the references, translating those elements into our 3D models. This involved refining the particle’s surface details, adjusting lighting and shading to match the referenced aesthetic, and ensuring the final render accurately reflected the desired look and feel established by the client’s imagery. The desired look was of an ethereal, floating single particle emanating a misty trail as it falls gently through space. As we pull the camera back, it is revealed that this single particle is one of an endless cloud of tiny particles falling to the ground, releasing their contents into the soil.

For our hero particle, the general shape was made procedurally in Houdini using various effects to create an organic, undulating surface that seems alive. Additional layers of simulated particles were created to create the effect of vapors emitting off the surface. These elements were then combined and rendered with dramatic lighting similar to the environment in the spot and then worked further in post. A few hero particles were created for the foreground while the remaining cloud in the distance was another simulation added to the background.

The mist coming off of the wolves involved a similar process for the fertilizer particle’s vapor effect. First, the wolves were animated. This animation file was then fed into Houdini where a similar vapor effect was custom built and applied. It was then rendered as a separate pass and combined in post where it was further enhanced.