Project Overview:

To celebrate 70 years as a Swedish household staple, Felix collaborated with director Anton Clements Stål to create a nostalgic, decade-hopping journey. The narrative follows a mother through various eras, culminating in a high-stakes parody of the iconic "Epic Split" commercial. This 10-second hero shot required the "Felix-mom" to perform a perfect split between two giant ketchup bottles in a vast desert landscape. Following the success of previous collaborations, Fanny & Alexander returned to SweetSpot to secure Stereocolor for the technical execution of this centerpiece sequence.

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Challenges & Solutions

 

Challenge: Challenge: Executing the "Impossible" Split

On set, the actress was filmed on a podium against a green screen. To achieve the scale of the parody, she needed to appear suspended between two massive, digital ketchup bottles with anatomically correct movement.

Solution:

Without the luxury of 3D body scans, Stereocolor utilized high-resolution photo references of the actress's wardrobe to recreate her lower body in 3D. The team built a custom rig with advanced cloth simulations to ensure the fabric and muscle structures moved naturally during the transition, maintaining the "hero" feel of the 2010s-era homage.

 

Challenge: Stitching Non-Motion-Control Plates
The creative vision required a seamless transition from the digital desert environment into a practical 2020s kitchen set. Achieving a "perfect" stitch usually requires expensive motion-control rigs to repeat exact camera paths.

Solution:

Stereocolor successfully stitched two different practical camera moves together without the use of motion control. Through precise Previz and Techviz during pre-production, the team mapped the camera's trajectory, allowing them to align the digital desert and the physical kitchen plates into one continuous, fluid motion.

 

Challenge: Building an Iconic Environment

To land the "Epic Split" gag, the environment had to immediately evoke the original Volvo Trucks cinematography while highlighting the vibrant red of the Felix brand.

Solution:

The team utilized a 2.5D approach, projecting Digital Matte Paintings onto 3D geometry. This provided the depth and scale of a full 3D environment while allowing for the fine-tuned lighting control needed to make the giant ketchup bottles pop against the desert horizon.

 

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Results & Impact

 

High-Value Repeat Partnership: This project marks the continued successful collaboration between Fanny & Alexander and SweetSpot. By consistently providing reliable, high-tier talent like Stereocolor, we are a trusted extension of their production team.

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Format Versatility: By delivering an ambitious 10-second master shot, Stereocolor provided the client with ultimate flexibility. A retimed 6.5-second version was integrated into the 30-second broadcast spot, while the full-length sequence served as a high-impact standalone asset for social media (and of course, the director's cut).

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Invisible Technical Mastery: The final shot is a testament to how smart VFX can solve logistical hurdles. The seamless blend of practical performance and digital world-building allowed the director to focus on the comedy and performance without being limited by the physical constraints of the set.

To learn more about how SweetSpot and our roster of specialist studios can bring complex creative concepts to life, please contact us at henrik@sweetspotcreatives.com