STARNO.net was approached to take on a significant technical challenge for a 30-second Via Rail Canada national television spot. The production was originally filmed during the height of summer; however, the creative brief required a magical, snow-covered winter atmosphere to align with the campaign's seasonal messaging.
Due to the dynamic nature of the director's shots—featuring complex camera movements and rapid pans—traditional Matte Painting and 2D camera projection techniques were insufficient to maintain visual integrity. STARNO.net opted for a bold 100% 3D environment solution. Our team meticulously reconstructed the landscapes in CG, allowing us to accurately track the high-speed camera motion while blanketing the entire world in a photorealistic layer of snow.
Operating within an extremely tight advertising production schedule, we managed the entire 3D pipeline in-house. This included 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and final compositing. By converting lush summer greenery into a crisp, inviting winter wonderland, we provided Via Rail with a seamless seasonal shift that supports their brand story without the need for a costly weather-dependent reshoot.
The Via Rail campaign highlights the comfort and beauty of train travel across the Canadian landscape. By utilizing Full-CGI Environments, STARNO.net empowered the agency to film year-round while maintaining total control over the "weather" on screen. This project demonstrates our ability to deliver high-fidelity, large-scale environment work under the high-pressure environment of commercial deadlines.
At STARNO.net, we specialize in Environment World Building. Whether we are augmenting a scene or replacing it entirely, our focus remains on photorealism and artistic continuity. This project stands as a testament to our technical agility and our commitment to providing creative solutions for Canada's leading transportation brands.
MELS
SUMMER TO WINTER CONVERSION
ADVERTISING / FULL 3D ENVIRONMENT / COMPOSITING
