Directing your first VFX-heavy TVC isn't supposed to go flawlessly—but radical client trust, an EDM track on loop, and a crew operating on the exact same frequency can work miracles.
"Xiaomi: Project Ready Up" was a project of massive milestones: my first official TVC, my first major post-pandemic production, and my first time tackling a VFX-driven storyboard. The objective was to execute this sci-fi, tech-driven advertisement with a prominent celebrity. I am incredibly grateful to the client who explicitly requested me—trusting my vision despite my lack of prior TVC experience—and to the agency for providing a brilliant foundation to work with.
"Xiaomi: Project Ready Up" was a project of massive milestones: my first official TVC, my first major post-pandemic production, and my first time tackling a VFX-driven storyboard. The objective was to execute this sci-fi, tech-driven advertisement with a prominent celebrity. I am incredibly grateful to the client who explicitly requested me—trusting my vision despite my lack of prior TVC experience—and to the agency for providing a brilliant foundation to work with.
The biggest challenge with a VFX-heavy shoot is keeping the momentum alive on a highly technical set. My breakthrough was anchoring the entire production on an EDM song. Axwell /\ Ingrosso's "Dreamer" became the lifeblood of the project; I played it on loop in the van, during prep, and throughout the shoot. It completely dictated the pacing and the final score, keeping the camera, PD, styling, and VFX teams perfectly locked into the same kinetic rhythm. I hope the crew at least, liked the song, I never found out. Thanks to an absolute rockstar producer and a crew that knocked it out of the park, what should have been a daunting first TVC became one of the smoothest shoots of my career plus a TVC that the client was ecstatic about.
