Arbys - Chimps (2007) 0:30 (USA)

This is our first project in a series of animal driven spots for Merkely and Arby's. We've enjoyed a great ongoing relationship with the agency with several of their clients, so we've developed a really nice shorthand with the creative teams. Erich (Joiner) wanted to avoid CG animals, so we shot a body double in a chimp suit. He cast this really great dancer who could pull off the complex dance moves. We then put it all together in Inferno, manipulating body proportions so each looked unique - tracking different textures on the chimps body for more realism. There was some very light CG enhancement of the primates faces, but very little.

First Air Date: April 1, 2007

Agency: Merkley + Partners/NY
ECD(s): Andy Hirsch, Randy Saitta
Group Creative Head(s): Chuck Borghese, Jean Batthany
Art Director: Becky Kerrs
Copywriter: Joe Esposito
Agency Producer: Chris Coccaro

Production Company: Tool of North America/Bicoastal
Director: Erich Joiner
EP(s): Jennifer Siegel, Brian Latt
Head of Production: Amy DeLossa
Producer: Joby Ochsner

Post/Effects: rhinofx/NY
CD/Director: Vico Sharabani
VFX Supervisor: Rick Schulze
Producer: Linda Gallagher
SVP/EP: Camille Geier
Partner/Managing Director: Rick Wagonheim

Editorial: Cut and Run/NY
Editor: Mike Douglas
Editorial Assistant: Conor Flynn
Producer: Angie Aguilera

Telecine: The Mill/NY
Colorist: Tom Poole