Prague-based directing duo Wolfberg (aka Jan Kalvoda and Premysl Ponahly) scale several VFX summits in this merger of practical set pieces and CG elements for Slovak bank Slovenská sporiteľňa thru Czech agency Zaraguza.

Jan Kalvoda and Premysl Ponahly: “The concept was to illustrate the life obstacles scientist/mountaineer Lucia Janičová has had to face with symbolic ‘mountains’ to conquer. The first challenge was to incorporate authentic documentary footage of her climb up Everest and blend it with the film’s stylized sections.
 

“The concept was to illustrate the life obstacles scientist/mountaineer Lucia Janičová has had to face with symbolic ‘mountains’ to conquer.”

 
“Instead of relying fully on CGI, we decided to build parts of the mountains in the studio to integrate with 3D elements and matte paintings. These practical installations (such as a snowstorm made from books or an avalanche of home appliances) had to be designed in a way that allowed them to be reset after each take.

“The final challenge was seamlessly blending the artificial mountains (made from globes or flowers) into the natural Himalayan landscape. To achieve this, we covered parts of the sets with snow to help them blend more organically into the matte paintings and 3D mountains.”

 

 
Client: Slovenská Sporiteľňa

Agency: Zaraguza

Production: Bistro Films
Director: Wolfberg
EP: Pavel Prejda
DOP: Alexander Šurkala
1st AD: Petr Heinrich
Producer: Adam Polák
Production Manager: Barbora Prejdová
Production Designer: Mariana Hädler @marianahadler_film
Props: Oliver Růžička
Edit: Filip Malásek

Grade: PFX
Colorist: Ondřej Štibinger

Online/VFX: R.U.R. Postproduction
Team: Jan Všetíček, Dara Klenhardová,

Music: Ivan Zachariáš
Sound Design: Vladimír Bajnoci

Cast: Lucia Janičová