SKIP THE DISHES – WINTER COZY TRANSFORMATION

WORK DESCRIPTION:

STARNO.net contributed essential visual effects for a humorous 30-second television spot for Skip The Dishes, featuring the popular Quebec comedian Patrick Groulx. The narrative centers on the warmth of gathering around a meal at a cozy cottage—a perfect use case for a food delivery service.

The primary production challenge was timing: the commercial was filmed during the autumn season, but the creative brief required a full winter atmosphere. STARNO.net was tasked with a seasonal environment transformation. Our mandate was to add a blanket of snow visible through every window in every single shot of the advertisement.

We utilized high-end Digital Compositing and Matte Painting techniques to ensure the snow appeared 100% realistic. Because the camera remained static (locked-off shots), we focused our efforts on pixel-perfect integration—handling complex edge work around window frames and matching the interior lighting to the cold, bright exterior of a snowy day. This is the definition of "Invisible VFX": a transformation so seamless that the audience never questions the reality of the environment.

PRODUCTION CHALLENGES:

In advertising, seasonal continuity is vital for brand messaging. By digitally adding the winter landscape, STARNO.net allowed the production to meet its delivery deadlines without waiting for the first snowfall of the year.

Our expertise in Matte Painting and Invisible VFX provided a cost-effective and reliable solution. By focusing on the subtle details—the blueish tint of winter light and the soft accumulation of snow on window sills—we ensured that the visual story remained focused on Patrick Groulx’s performance and the brand’s message.