BBC Winter Olympics 2022

OVERVIEW

Directed by Balázs Simon for BBC Sport's Winter Olympics 2022 coverage, this film brings together 3D-printed ice sculptures and stop motion with algorithmic CGI and practical effects — each technique used for exactly what it does best.

The result captures something documentary footage alone can't: the extremity of what it takes to chase gold, rendered through ice that's built, carved, and animated frame by frame rather than simulated.

I was art director on this production, and it remains one of the most rewarding projects I've worked on — the "making of" is worth watching in its own right to see how the ice sculptures and stop motion came together on screen.

Client: BBC Sport

Production company: Blink Inc

Director: Balazs Simon

Art Director: Jennifer Kidd

Style: 3D printing

 

AWARDS

British Arrows

Reviews

The Creative Review / bbc winter Olympics ad is a 3d wonder

The Drum / bbc finally breaks the ice for its Winter Olympics coverage in stunning trailer

Campaign / pick of the week

Stash magazine / BBC Winter Olympics

Ad Week / BBC’s Olympics Ad Traps athletic in harsh worlds of ice and snow

3D printing industry / bbc airs its first Winter Olympics advert, 3d printing technology features heavily

bueno / bbc is here to break the ice

SHOTS / best of January 2022