By SHOOT Staff Report

With a mix of 2D and 3D, Hornet tells the story of “Once Upon a Tree,” an Air Canada spot out of FCB Canada. Our protagonists are two button-cute nutcracker bears who, after a year of being tucked away together, find themselves on separate sides of the Xmas tree. Distraught at the thought of spending the holidays apart, a series of heroic efforts to reconnect include zip-lining along a string of lights and collapsing a gingerbread house–but to no avail. 

Ultimately with a little help from an Air Canada ornament, in a dramatic and final leap of faith, the tiny wooden bears reunite with a heartwarming embrace.

Hornet’s Dan Marsh directed TV/cinema spot, which topped SHOOT’s Q4 Top Ten VFX & Animation Chart.

Hornet’s production process entailed the components being all painted by hand and animated by the studio’s cel team. Then the 2D layers were brought into a 3D scene which was lit like a physical diorama, so the 2D characters have a sense of space and volume. This unique synthesis of illustrative 2D animation rendered in a 3D space distinguishes the film stylistically, but it’s the emotional connection to the characters which so deftly tugs at the heartstrings.

Inspired by the evocative styling of Hornet animator Yuri Norstein, the animation blends handcrafted aesthetics and digital adaptability with textured visuals breathing life into detailed, naturalistic artwork with emotional resonance.

Classic and timeless, Marsh imbues the animated tale with the cinematic sensibilities of live action camerawork, connecting with the humble protagonists and their deep desire for closeness with an exemplary blend of humor and heart.

In both the French and English renditions, the creative storybook-style visuals are perfectly complemented by the voice of Montréal singer-songwriter Charlotte Cardin, who returns to Air Canada’s holiday campaign for the second year. In addition to recreating the enchanting ‘90s hit “Une Chance Qu’on S’a” by legendary Montreal crooner Jean-Pierre Ferland in the French ad spot, the four-time Juno Award winner also puts her beautiful new spin on Bryan Adams’ iconic 1991 classic “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” in the English spot–bringing together two of the country’s great classics in a new stirring symphony.

Hornet’s toolbox on “Once Upon a Tree” included: Photoshop for paintings and character texturing; Toon Boom Harmony for cel animation; Maya for animation lighting; Arnold for rendering; and Nuke for compositing.

Click here to view the full VFX/Animation Top Ten Chart for the fourth quarter of 2023.

 

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