Having seen the impact of the Ashok Leyland U-Truck stereoscopic video created by us, the senior management at Leyland Deere too wanted to use the same technology for the launch of their first product – the 435 Backhoe Loader.

For Nextwave, there were new challenges. First, we had to work within a shorter time frame, which meant that we had to look for technology solutions that would enable us to speed up the non-creative, processing time. We did this by upgrading our systems manifold. Second, the script this time had a large video component, which meant that considering the short time we had, we had to go for a camera solution that was easier to set-up and adjust for parallax.

Although the salient and unique features of the Leyland Deere 435 Backhoe Loader were shown through 3D animations, video was also used to show the product while introducing it and at other points in the AV. To show the product dramatically and, to an extent create a dream-like atmosphere, we made creative use of smoke, lighting and camera movements to achieve these effects. And with 3D depth added to it, the result was riveting.

The stereoscopic effect of the 3D animations of the various features and components of the 435 Backhoe Loader, were used to the maximum to make the audience, not sit at the edge of their seats, but to make them move back defensively as the parts and text came hurtling out of the screen towards them. The 3D animations were created using ‘Blender’, the open source 3D software.

The final AV was shown to a mesmerized audience at the Excon, held at Bengaluru from 23 to 27 November 2011.

The one line brief from Ashok Leyland, a leading commercial vehicles manufacturers in India, to Showspace, one of India’s top event management companies, was “make it dramatic!”. Showspace considered various options, including stereoscopic 3D, the ‘Avatar’ kind, where you need 3D glasses to view.

The one line question from Showspace to Nextwave was, “can you people do it?”

In line with our philosophy of always accepting challenges, we took on the project, although it was an unknown technology for us. The other challenge was to execute it in a tight timeframe.

The major part of the script required a mix of video and 3D animation, where the Executive Director-Marketing of Ashok Leyland, interacts with Mr. U, a 3D animated character. The rest of the presentation was more technical in nature – of engines, gearboxes, and other aggregates.

At every stage of the execution, newer technical challenges sprang in our way, but we overcame them through ingenuity and hard work. The 3D animation was entirely done using Blender, the open-source 3D animation software.

The product launch of the U-Truck vehicles was held on 02 November, 2010. The audience, mostly consisting of Ashok Leyland Dealers, was thrilled as they watched the aggregates of the vehicles popping out of the screen and coming right onto their faces.

As far as we know, this is the first time in India a product launch video has been made using stereoscopic 3D technology.

Below is a short clip from the launch video in the anaglyph format. So, 3D red-blue glasses are required for viewing.

Everyone is raving about Extra Terrestrials, the live show produced by Show Space. Nextwave played a small role to make the show a success.

We worked closely with Show Space to design and develop a website on the event, ‘www.etwow.in‘.  The client’s brief was that the website should convey the ‘wow’ factor, which the show was promising. As the website was central to the communication plan, and was the potential audience’s first ‘touch point’ with the event, we put our creative brains together to come out with a design that would make the visitor immediately click on the ‘Book Your Tickets Now’ button for online ticket booking.

A screenshot from the website

Besides the event website, we also worked on a number of audio-visuals. The first was a 3-minute AV that built up the excitement by showcasing performance videos of the eight artistes. This video was used to sell the event to potential sponsors, and was also included in the event website for the potential audience to get a better feel of what was on offer.

Two more AVs were produced by us for screening before the start of each show of the event. With a fast-paced thumping music track, the first AV gave glimpses of the various kind of work done by Show Space for their clients. And the second AV was a curtain raiser that captured the zest of the Extra Terrestrials show.

Instead of a live show presenter, the client felt a recorded voice would be a better option to host the show. So, we opted for a foreign voice artiste to maintain the international flavour and tempo of the show.

The voice was recorded abroad, and the complete packaging was done in a record time of two days. As we expected, it enhanced the watching experience of the audience.