How LiQuid & Lucky Sparks made Cathay Cargo’s AI animal film without shooting a single frame
When Cathay Cargo and Leo Burnett Hong Kong approached Lucky Sparks and LiQuid with a live-action concept involving dozens of animals boarding a cargo freighter, they prepped the usual way with trainers, wranglers, sets, permits, a multi-day international shoot…
But the more they thought about it the more they leaned towards another way forward – a full-scale brand film, emotionally rich and visually cinematic—without a single camera rolling.
What they created became one of the world’s first fully AI-native commercials at this scale.
The Big Pivot
The idea—charming, ambitious, and logistically intense—involved a modern-day Ark: sloths, alpacas, parrots, and giraffes walking calmly into a Cathay Cargo freighter.
But LiQuid Executive Producer Jimmy Singh asked the question that changed everything: “What if we didn’t shoot it at all?”
LiQuid & Lucky Sparks brought in Christopher Vulpi, founder of AGENT*EP and a pioneer in AI-native storytelling. He quickly reshaped the project’s trajectory—pairing new-gen AI tools with old-school creative discipline.
With Brent Bonacorso directing, every shot was emotionally sculpted, not captured. No actors. No sets. But a whole lot of heart.
The tools behind the ark
Instead of cameras, their workflow revolved around:
• Midjourney, Kling, Google Veo for AI-generated imagery
• Adobe Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere for design & animation
• Flame, DaVinci Resolve for post and finishing
Prompts were fine-tuned. Pacing was directed. Characters were born from nothing but words—and shaped until they felt real.
How It All Came Together
The team spanned four time zones. While Jimmy Singh and Daniel Agus Susanto managed cross-border operations, Charlie Chen and Banana Lin kept creative momentum aligned with the agency.
“We weren’t just executing. We were inventing the method while flying the mission,” said Singh.
Singh explained that once the visuals were locked, Two AM Music delivered a score and mix that elevated everything.
“Prisca Leong’s composition brought whimsy and confidence. Jason Lee’s audio mix made every step feel alive. With direction from Audio Directors Oliver Stutz and Kit Kuan Leong, even the AI-rendered sloth found emotional weight,” said director Brent Bonacorso.
“It wasn’t just technical—it was cinematic. The music gave our creatures soul.”
The Bigger Picture
Christopher Vulpi said the campaign wasn’t a workaround – it was a proof of concept. A new production model that combines speed, scalability, and storytelling precision.
“AI didn’t replace creativity,” says Vulpi. “It expanded it—and helped us get to places we couldn’t have reached otherwise.”
“We built this midair—but we had the right people flying the plane,” says Singh. “With our pilot and co-pilot, Brent and Chris, leading the AI process, we knew exactly where we were headed.”
“It was dynamic, full of energy, and pushed us to think beyond convention,” adds Charlie Chen.
“Everyone brought their A-game—and what we created felt not just new, but necessary. No cameras. No sets. No physical shoot. But something real was made—powered by trust, tech, and fearless creativity.”
This momentum is set to continue as LiQuid has officially partnered with Christopher Vulpi (AGENT*EP) and director Brent Bonacorso to lead AI-native campaigns across Asia, helping more brands take the leap into this new era of filmmaking.
Credits
Client: Cathay Cargo
Agency: Leo Burnett Hong Kong
Production: LiQuid & Lucky Sparks
Executive Producers: Jimmy Singh, Charlie Chen, Daniel Agus Susanto, Banana Lin
AI Creative Executive Producer: Christopher Vulpi (AGENT*EP)
Director: Brent Bonacorso
Line Producer: Marlyne Vanessa
Music & Sound: Two AM Music
General Manager, Brand, Insights and Marketing Communications, Cathay: Edward Bell
Head of Marketing, Cathay Cargo: Ricardo Lo
Cargo Marketing Manager, Cathay Cargo: Janet Cheng
Cargo Marketing Assistant Manager, Cathay Cargo: Amy Tam
Cargo Marketing Officer, Cathay Cargo: Kelly Cheung
Creative Agency: Leo Hong Kong
Chief Creative Officer, Leo Hong Kong: Christopher Lee
Global Executive Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Joao Braga
Executive Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Halo Cheng
Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Wai Wong
Associate Creative Director, Leo Hong Kong: Fiona Chow
Senior Art Director, Leo Hong Kong: Wing Ho Lam
Art Director, Leo Hong Kong: Timmy Lee
Head of Creative Service, Leo Hong Kong: Pelie Kwok
Managing Partner, Leo Hong Kong: Dennis Yeung
Director of Client Services, Leo Hong Kong: Kenneth Poon
Associate Account Director, Leo Hong Kong: Stacey Yam
Senior Account Manager, Leo Hong Kong: Tanya Yip
Strategy Director, Leo Hong Kong: Garron Chiu
Agency Producer, Prodigious: Armelle Sudron
