Behind the scenes

The project went through a lot of development, with every script change requiring artwork to support the new direction.

Visualising the world was only half the challenge - we also had to design a cast of characters to inhabit it. The 3-ball, as they became known, needed to feel modern and relatable while retaining a distinctive aesthetic for the campaign. We sculpted Gaz, Gabi, and Garret in 3D using bevelled edges and tight angles, resulting in chiseled features and striking silhouettes. The crew were then composited against 2D painted backdrops to create an almost comic-like hybrid look.

With 3 individual stories to cram into 60 seconds, the storyboards and animatics went through several iterations before we were able to successfully showcase each characters experience on the course.

The animation was keyed on 2’s and 3’s to help the movement feel a little like stop-motion, something which worked really well with the illustrative backgrounds.

The film was a roaring success, with the R&A promoting it on screens and posters at numerous tournaments and events including The Open Championship.