ink Master Case Study - intro
In late 2011, Spike TV asked the team at Perception to come up with some ideas for a stunning campaign to unveil the world's first reality tattoo competition, Ink Master, hosted by Dave Navarro. Perception responded with a plan that weaved together hi-end cg animation, a cinematic shoot, and original artwork from one of NYC's best tattoo artists.
Ink Master Case Study - CONCEPT & BOARDS
Before the job was awarded, we pitched several concepts in order to establish the range of ideas we felt were possible with this kind of content. We had directions ranging from elaborate animated tattoos rising off the skin, to dramatic macro shots of tattoo guns piercing the flesh, to human canvasses trapped in a gallery of glass cases.
ink Master Case Study - Approved Boards
Once the job was awarded, our collaboration with the team at Spike TV lead to the selection of a single unique concept. This involved showing the creation of a tattoo in an intense macro time-lapse, with impossible camera moves wrapping around the body as the artwork is revealed. A motion test was created, in addition to a series of boards, in order to convey the unique movement that characterized this direction.
ink Master Case Study - motion test
ink MASTER CASE STUDY: Motion Test
Inkmaster Case Study - PRE PRODUCTION
It was quickly decided that the CG sequences within the spot should be supported by some dramatic live action to contextualize the action. In preparation for the shoot, we began collaborating with Alex McWatt, a co-owner of one of NYC’s best tattoo shops, Three Kings Tattoo. Alex created all original artwork, for an added level of authenticity in our CG sequences.
INK Master Case Study - TATTOO ARTWORK
INK Master Case Study - SHOOT / BEHIND THE SCENES
The shoot day included over 18 different setups, a simultaneous B camera shoot, Special Effects make up and several elaborate lighting challenges... all of which made for an exciting and fun filled day. The amazing crew and support staff executed the shoot perfectly and on schedule.
Inkmaster Case Study - CG COMPING
The moment the shoot wrapped, Perception’s CG team began importing assets from the shoot, which would be an integral part of our camera-projection based technique. Having plenty of experience using camera projection for various landscapes and matte paintings, the CG team was prepared for the challenges that would come with the detail of the human body as well as covering the elaborate camera moves.
Ink MASTER CASE STUDY: koi breakdown
inkmaster Case Study - hands
Ink Master Case Study: HANDS
inkmaster Case Study - WRAP UP
An intense period of conceptual development, a highly choreographed shoot-day, and a brisk two-week push through edit & animation lead to the creation of this final spot.