Italian animation studio Rocketpanda, who joined the NOMINT roster in 2022, combines dynamic camera moves, intriguing transitions, and 2D animation into a kinetic promotion for Discord’s Nitro subscription service.
CDs Riccardo Albertini, Filippo Martinelli, and Federica Amico at RocketPanda: “Our friends at Discord tasked us with creating a 20-second animation to kick off their Nitro summer promotion. The concept was pure magic. We call it BOGO – short for ‘Buy One, Get One’ – but the real enchantment lies in its execution.
“The most crucial and delicate part of the entire project was the initial phase of piecing everything together to determine the timeline, acting, and scene breakdowns. We dedicated significant time during pre-production to meticulously plan the entire video, ensuring a seamless production process.
“Using a unified color palette, we created two distinct worlds that feel both connected and contrasting.”
“The fast-paced action is driven by seamless camera movements and dynamic cel animation. Complex camera angles and sequences were used to create a visually striking and immersive experience. The climax, featuring a dragon and a fearless knight, is the culmination of this epic journey.
“Using a unified color palette, we created two distinct worlds that feel both connected and contrasting. The human world is rich in detail, while the fantasy world is more stylized and graphic. This duality allows us to convey two distinct narratives within a cohesive visual style.
“For the real world, we opted for a nostalgic, twilight aesthetic. Soft gradients and warm tones evoke a sense of familiarity. In contrast, the fantasy world is shrouded in darkness, with pops of purple and pink creating a mysterious atmosphere.”
Client: Discord
Production: Nomint
Animation: Rocketpanda
CD: Riccardo Albertini, Filippo Martinelli, Federica Amico
Art Director: Lorenzo Florissi, Filippo Martinelli
Storyboard: Melissa Ottonello Ferrati
Illustrator: Lorenzo Florissi
Cel Animator: Laura Tomelleri, Riccardo Pagano, Federico Bressan, Jose Moreno, Melisa Farina
2D Animator: Andrea Nobis, Filippo Martinelli, Riccardo Albertini
Compositor: Andrea Nobis
Music/sound design: Rabbeats