January 11, 2006 – Los Angeles: Director Steve Beck of Rhythm + Hues Commercial Studios recently completed a spot for DDB/Chicago and SeaWorld featuring a pair of digital killer whales flying through a diverse live action world.

“Celebration” opens as a boy gazes out an airplane window in amazement as he sees two whales flying by in the clouds. The story follows the two whales traveling around the world as they interact with their surroundings, including skyscrapers and wheat fields, en route to SeaWorld. Live action, editorial, CG, Flame effects and online were all completed at Rhythm + Hues. The spot started airing in December.

“I really enjoyed having the opportunity to expand reality by bringing the whales into unexpected environments,“ says Beck. “Working with the animators and designers at R+H, we were able to defy gravity and give the whales the freedom to soar in our non-aquatic world. And having all of the needed resources under one roof allowed for tremendous creative flexibility.”

“Seeing Shamu as a digital character was almost like deja-vu, “ says Executive Producer Paul Babb. “I worked with the live whales and other animals at SeaWorld for six years. I was amazed by the strength and power we were able to capture in bringing the whales to life digitally.”

The whales are the latest in the growing collection of digital icons Rhythm + Hues has created, including Aslan the lion from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the Coca-Cola polar bears, the GEICO Gecko, the Hartford Stag, and characters from Babe, Cats and Dogs, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

ABOUT RHYTHM + HUES COMMERCIAL STUDIOS

A complete digital studio, with live action, CG animation and vfx, design and post production services, Rhythm + Hues Commercial Studios draws upon the talent and technical firepower of one of the world’s premiere effects and animation facilities, Rhythm & Hues Studios. Adjacent to the 70,000 sq. ft. facility which houses hundreds of digital artists and staff, the 7,000 sq foot boutique facility of Rhythm + Hues Commercial Studios is dedicated to the highest quality of commercial production and outstanding client support.

Recent commercial productions include campaigns for LeapFrog, Jack in the Box, Activision, Target, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Cox Communications and EA Games. Recent Film Division credits include The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Longest Yard, The Ring 2, X-Men 2 and Serenity. Films currently in production include Superman Returns, Charlotte’s Web and The Fast and The Furious 3: Tokyo Drift.