Through The Dark is a collaboration between one of Australia’s biggest acts, Hilltop Hoods, and Google Play Music. It’s an interactive film that follows the story of a father and son’s journey between two worlds.
The track was written by Hilltop Hoods’ Daniel Smith for his son Liam, who was diagnosed with leukaemia at eight years old. It’s a story of light and dark, hope and fear. Using cameras mapped to the phone’s accelerometer, the device is rotated to reveal two animated worlds – the dark and the light.
Designers, animators and developers brought the experience to life using the latest web technologies. Simplified 3D meshes and rigs were built to tell the story, lighting was painstakingly designed by hand, and new tools were developed to bridge traditional animation methods and WebGL. It was a continual challenge to find the balance between the fidelity of the visuals and the limited processing powers of mobile devices.
For every fan who listened, Google and Hilltop Hoods made a donation to leading youth cancer organisation CanTeen to support young people living with cancer.
Case Study
Demo
Background
The image below links to an article I wrote on Medium that gives a lot of background on the piece.
Recognition
D&AD
Yellow Pencil - Animation & Illustration for Websites & Digital Design
Wood Pencil - Graphic Design / Digital & Mobile
CANNES LIONS 2017
Gold - Digital Craft: Form: Image; Sound; Aesthetic: Overall Aesthetic Design
Gold - Digital Craft: Form: Image; Sound; Aesthetic: Video / Moving Image
Silver - Digital Craft: Form: Image; Sound; Aesthetic: Digital Illustration
Silver - Film: Music Video
Bronze - Digital Craft: Technology: Technological Achievement in Digital Craft
Bronze - Mobile: Technology: Innovative Technology
Bronze - Cyber: Online Video: Interactive Video
FWA
FWA of the Year 2016
People’s Choice Award 2016
ONE SHOW
Mobile: Visual Effects / Animation - Bronze
Branded Entertainment: Mobile - Merit
Film: Online - Merit
Interactive: Visual Effects / Animation - Merit
Moving Image Craft: Visual - Merit
UX / UI: User Experience - Merit
LONDON INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
Gold, Digital - Animation/Motion Graphics
Silver, Digital - Branded Content
Bronze, Digital - Innovative Use of Digital
CLIO AWARDS
Silver, Digital/Mobile Technique: Graphic Design
Bronze, Digital/Mobile: Website
Bronze, Clio Music: Digital/Mobile: Website
WEBBY AWARDS
Web: Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics:
Webby Winner
People's Voice Winner
Film & Video: Best Use of Interactive Video, Honoree
AWARD Awards
Film & Video
Interactive Film, Individual, Any Length - Silver
Branded Entertainment & Content
Mobile - Silver
Entertainment - Online - Bronze
Entertainment - Film
Experiential - Interactive - Silver
Craft in Advertising: Film
Film - Direction - Silver
Film - Animation - Silver
Film - Best Use and/or Arrangement of Existing Music - Gold
Craft in Advertising: Digital
Digital - Animation - BRONZE
Digital - Film for Interactive - NO
Craft in Advertising: Branded Entertainment
Branded Content & Entertainment - Silver
Direct
Art Direction for Direct - Individual - Bronze
Design
Entertainment Design - Gold
Digital
Online Film, Over 3 Minutes - Bronze
Mobile - Other - BRONZE
MMA Smarties Awards
Silver, Best Brand Experience in Mobile Rich Media
Silver, Innovation
Silver, Mobile Website
Silver, Mobile Video
CICLOPES INTERNATIONAL CRAFT AWARDS
Gold, Interactive Film
SPIKES ASIA
Grand Prix, Digital Craft: Video / Moving Image
Gold, Music: Excellence in Brand/Music Sponsorship or Partnership
Silver, Digital: Interactive Video
Silver, Digital Craft: Overall Aesthetic Design
Silver, Music: Excellence in Music Video
Bronze, Design: Digital & Interactive Design
Bronze, Digital Craft: Digital Illustration
AMY AWARDS
Winner, Social or Content Led Marketing Campaign, Entertainment & Media
Highly Commended, Digitally Led Marketing Campaign, Entertainment & Media
Highly Commended, Best Website or Online Service, Entertainment & Media
ADC AWARDS
Digital: Interactive: Interactive Film, Gold
Digital: Craft in Digital: Art Direction, Silver
Advertising: Art Direction:
Motion, Merit
Digital, Merit
Credits
CREATIVE AGENCY
R/GA Sydney
EXECUTIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Hamish Stewart, Gavin McLeod
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Michael Armstrong
ASSOCIATE TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
Blake Kus
DESIGNER
Jess Bateman
SENIOR EXPERIENCE DESIGNER
Shruti Rai
SOFTWARE ENGINEER
Aaron George
COPYWRITER
Kate Allan
SOCIAL STRATEGIST
Justine Cusack
MARKETING SCIENCES MANAGER
Cory Nicely
PRODUCER
Julia Rush
SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR
Natalie Brend
SENIOR TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
Jeff Donios
EXECUTIVE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Gertjan Leppers
PRODUCTION
Exit Films
DIRECTOR
Mike Daly
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Kim Wildenburg
ANIMATION
XYZ Studios
LEAD DESIGNER, ANIMATION DIRECTOR
Eran Hilleli
LEAD ANIMATOR
Marco Palmieri
SENIOR TD
Richard Osellame
CG LEAD
Stevie Watkins
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Garett Mayow
LEAD ANIMATOR
Marco Palmieri
CG ARTISTS
Gina Moore, Tim Murphy
ANIMATOR
Heath Pagram
LABEL
Universal Music
ARTIST
Hilltop Hoods