VISUAL COMPUTING labs (VCL), a division of Tata Elxsi Ltd and a leader in the animation and visual effects industry announced that it has executed VFX for the latest television commercial of ‘Panasonic Inverter AC’ featuring Katrina Kaif.
VCL was entrusted by the Production House, Cutting Edge films to create the photo real Robot which plays a central role along with Katrina in TVC. In addition to the robot VCL also needed to create the CGI to help demonstrate the functioning of the ‘’Eco Navi’’ technology, this technology helps the AC sense the level of activity and detection of human presence.
Right from the beginning, the director for the Panasonic TVC, Henri Barges was very clear about the look of the TVC and the attitude of the robot. The robot needed to interact with the cast. It needed to be energetic, play-full and emote through it’s eyes.
The commercial was shot at a studio in Filmcity where the production had put up a set. Since it was a studio shoot, the back grounds through the windows were added later to give the appearance that the set was an apartment on the 20th floor of a building.
Speaking about the TVC, Mr. Vishal Anand from Visual Computing Labs (VCL), Tata Elxsi Ltd said “The challenge was to ensure that we create a photo-real 3D robot, that interacts with the kids and Katrina. Panasonic was very particular about the look of the robot, they required it to look extremely real and be a part of the environment. For this VCL shot multiple HDRI references at the location. These HDR images were compiled and later used to light the robot.
The artists at VCL generated proxies for the scenes and the characters to reflect back into the robot. Proxies also helped to make sure that the robot reflected in the environment and cast shadows on the floor and the furniture appropriately. This was critical since the robot is interacting with Katrina and other characters throughout the TVC.
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The AC was added in post to clearly visualize the cooling effect, finishing touches such as lens flares and grading was done on the Flame at VCL”.
About Tata Elxsi Ltd’s Visual Computing Labs
Visual Computing Labs is an award-winning digital production studio providing Animation, Visual Effects (VFX) and 3D stereoscopic content for feature films, episodic television and advertising. It hosts world-class studios in Los Angeles and India and a creative team that includes Academy Award® winning and BAFTA nominated professionals. Recent awards include two Golden Peacocks at the 56th National awards, for exemplary Animation and Visual Effects. It was also nominated for best-animated film at the VES (Visual Effects Society) awards for “Roadside Romeo” in 2009.
It also offers custom content development for visualization and product marketing, and is a leading developer of mobile, online and console games.
About Tata Elxsi
Tata Elxsi is a design company that blends technology, creativity and engineering to help customers transform ideas into world-class products and solutions.
A part of the $ 70 billion Tata group, Tata Elxsi addresses the communications, consumer products, defence, healthcare, media & entertainment, semiconductor and transportation sectors. This is supported by a talent pool of over 3500 employees and a network of design studios, development centers and offices worldwide. Key services include embedded product design, industrial design, animation & visual effects and systems integration. Tata Elxsi is a listed company, and headquartered in Bangalore, India. (www.tataelxsi.com),