Get ready for a heartwarming tale as Apple releases its highly anticipated Chinese New Year film, 'Glad I Met You'. This emotional journey, directed by the talented Bai Xue, is a collaboration between Apple and TBWA\Media Arts Lab, based in Shanghai.
The film is a unique blend of live-action and stop-motion animation, all captured using the impressive iPhone 17 Pro. It tells the story of Lin Wei and a charming, talkative dog named Little White, who embark on a series of adventures that will tug at your heartstrings.
Bai Xue highlights the significance of a particular scene, where Little White runs towards Lin Wei, explaining how the use of slow motion enhances the emotional impact, creating a powerful moment.
But here's where it gets interesting! The lead animal coordinator, Hao Shuai, reveals a secret weapon - the compact size of the iPhone. Unlike larger devices, the iPhone doesn't distract the animals, making it the perfect tool for capturing these heartwarming scenes.
The attention to detail in this film is extraordinary. Each character was meticulously crafted with custom armatures, capable of withstanding thousands of tiny movements. Additionally, over 20 unique mouth expressions were 3D printed and hand-painted for each character, ensuring perfect synchronization with the voice performances of Chinese actors.
Ege Soyuer, creative director at BUCK, emphasizes the magic of stop-motion, saying, "Knowing that what you see on screen is a real, physical creation, moved by real people, adds a layer of wonder to the experience."
So, what do you think? Is this film a masterpiece of storytelling and animation? Or is it just another marketing move by Apple? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Credits:
Brand: Apple
Creative Agency: TBWA\Media Arts Lab, Shanghai
Production Companies: Shooting Gallery (Live-Action), BUCK (Stop-Motion)
Character Design: Mackinnon & Saunders
Sound: CODA Music
Finishing: Heckler
Main Film Crew:
Director: Bai Xue
Director of Photography: Gao Weizhe
Director of Animal: Hao Shuai
Editor: Qiao Lin / Yuqing
Music: Gao Xiaoyang / Varqa
Behind-the-Scenes Crew:
Director: Jason Kahgiap
Producer: Areta Mak
Camera Operators: Huang Hai Bo, Liang Jun, Sura Tian
Camera Assistant: Fan Fei
Editor: Kang Kang