Cinesite brings Animal Magic to Weetabix
July 27 2010 – Cinesite Production Services (CPS), the physical effects and modelling division of visual effects house Cinesite, has created three life-size animal costumes which feature in the new Weetabix commercial that airs in the UK from this week.
The advert sees three marathon runners dressed up in life-size character costumes – a giant teddy bear, dinosaur and rabbit – preparing for a race after eating their Weetabix, with the message behind the advert being: once you’ve had your Weetabix, you’re ready for anything.
Commissioned by London-based Blink Productions, CPS worked with Blink to draw up sketches of how the three character costumes would look. Once the final designs were agreed, CPS made 3D clay miniatures of each costume and from these models began crafting the suits. Using highly durable latex foam, each costume was handmade and hand stitched using materials which would withstand a physically demanding shoot.
José Granell, head of Cinesite Production Services, explained: “Blink really wanted costumes that wouldn’t fall apart after a couple of takes. Because of our background as experienced model makers for the film industry, we were able to create costumes that are hard wearing, realistic, but most of all cost-effective for their budget.”