PixelBox + award-winning director Joel Limchoc take on gruesome enemy in new Vitress film via Publicis JimenezBasic Philippines

PixelBox Manila has just completed work on the latest ‘all action’ Vitress film for Publicis JimenezBasic, Philippines. The film was directed by Film Pabrika’s highly respected and award-winning director Joel Limchoc.

In the film lead talent Solenn Heussaff takes on a gruesome enemy – a monstrous smoky presence that possesses her hair with bad odors – and emerges victorious with help from Vitress Hair Freshener.

PixelBox lead online artist Eva Ng says: ”This was the very first combination of hair, beauty and action that I have ever worked on. The whole VFX team worked tirelessly to create very impressive and spectacular scenes. The most challenging part was to make giant CG hair fists attaching perfectly with Solenn’s hair (some very cool work from Underpants, our CG team in New Zealand). I should also add, that the whole process was seamless thanks to the fantastic director Joel Limchoc who involved us in every step of the creative process”.

“It was great to be given full artistic freedom by Joel. This gave me the opportunity to put my experience in feature films to achieve a cinematic look reminiscent of urban, gritty action movies. An audacious move, definitely outside of the usual comfort zone of traditional beauty product clients” adds PixelBox Colourist Thomas Bouffioulx.

Limchoc added: “This was definitely one of the more rigorous shoots I’ve done, with only twenty six hours to bring PJB’s (Publicis Jimenez Basic, creative agency) storyboard to life. We were able to do it because Solenn came in very well-prepared with her training and was game to do anything and everything to get the best shot. Coupled with a great production and team behind this project, it was truly one of the most memorable shoots I’ve done.

“I also appreciate the proficiency of all the artists behind post production. Half of the “triumph” of this project, we owe to them. It entirely complemented the hard work and effort given by all the staff from pre prod and shoot stage.

“PixelBox Colourist Thomas, perfectly set the right overall mood and tone of the material. He made it look like I shot the whole thing on film. Since the whole spot is fast-paced, the color grading helps a lot to aid the viewer where to look at. PixelBox online artist Eva, is one of the most meticulous online editors I’ve worked with. There are so many layers of touch ups and comps in every frame. She practically made the protagonist hair longer on every frame. And of course, none of this would be possible without the stellar work of PixelBox Underpants team, who blew us away with visual effects of the hair monster. A good CGI is great if it doesn’t look like its CGI.”

VIEW THE FILM

Credits
Splash Corporation:
Marco Nieto – General Manager for Philippine Operations and International Operations
Pam Sulit – Vice President for Marketing and Brand Development
Joyce Jacobe – Marketing Manager for Hair and New Markets
Nikki dela Fuente – Associate Brand Manager

Publicis JimenezBasic:
Tats Cruz – Managing Director
Carol Fadri – Client Service Director
Chelo Bacarro – Group Account Director
Igie Soriano – Account Director
Trixie Diyco – Executive Creative Director
Jofer Mijares – Associate Creative Director
Jess Villaruel – Associate Creative Director
Arri Veloso – Copywriter
Noel Enriquez – Producer

Film Pabrika:
Joel Limchoc – Director
Dix Buhay – Cinematographer
Adelina Leung – Production Designer
Christine Blando & Cris Pasturan – Assistant Directors
Sonny Sison – Stunt Choreographer
Vava Tadlip – Hair Stylist
Maita Baello of Qurator Studio – Wardrobe Stylist

Robbie Piñera – Make-up Artist
Bobot Atanacio – Propsman
Ana Fe Manuel – Executive Producer
Lei Villena – Line Producer
Meann Ballesteros – Production Manager
Rene Milla – Location Manager
Gretel Teope – Production Staff
Nikka Valencia – Production Staff
Bien Felix – Offline Editor

PixelBox Manila
Eva Ng – Lead Online Artist
Samson Young – Second Online Artist
Thomas Bouffioulx – Colourist
Jaimee Calupitan – Executive Producer
Nina Lee – Producer
Noah Alcalde, Gia Austria, King Santos – Online Assists
Cesca Veneracion – Assistant Colourist
PixelBox Manila and Underpants Auckland – CG Team