Visual effects have become standard fare in motion picture production. The Location Manager/Scout often collaborates with the live-action director, production designer and VFX team to help create stunning visual effects. Sometimes the results can be surprising as was the case in a recent Volkswagen Beetle commercial.
Location Manager/Scout Jof Hanwright, “What we basically did was to source elements for the forest and then literally harvest the forest elements for a giant set that was created on stage. We went back and forth about on-location versus stage filming. In the end the motion control elements needed for the spot required more control of the lighting than on-location would allow.”
What started out as “find the perfect forest floor,” became “find the perfect solution,” resulting in a very clever ad campaign introducing the new VW Beetle.
Link to Video