KFC Anything For Taste
KFC
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In Ogilvy’s latest award‑winning KFC ad, directed by Kim Geldenhuys (0307), viewers are taken on a hilarious journey to an island most South Africans didn’t even know existed—Marion Island, a remote research facility near Antarctica over 2,000 kilometers from the mainland.
The commercial’s key challenge was creating a believable Marion Island, without ever traveling there. Referencing the island proved difficult – available resources were limited, and the facility itself had changed over the years. To ensure authenticity, Chocolate Tribe meticulously recreated the current structures using a powerful combination of Maya for 3D modeling and animation, Nuke for compositing, as well as Autodesk Arnold and Unreal Engine for real-time rendering. Capturing the research facility, unique to Marion Island, was a fun yet demanding task. World-building in 3D goes beyond just the main structures. Populating the island with realistic assets was crucial.
The project also saw advancements in Chocolate Tribe’s workflow. Utilizing tools like real-time technologies by Unreal Engine, as well as USD (Universal Scene Description) improved pipeline workflows, and helped streamline asset management and rendering. This efficiency allowed the team to focus on creating the most visually stunning.
Naturally, the VFX are just one element of the commercial. The humorously absurd premise – a scientist’s desperate quest for KFC whilst being based over 2,000km away on a remote island – creates a truly memorable experience. “Beyond the Sea” is a testament to the power of collaboration between creative storytelling and cutting-edge VFX.
Please click here to view the full commercial.