Lexus CT 200h Dark Ride (2010) :60 (USA)

The Making of Dark Ride, the Interactive Film to Launch the New Lexus CT 200h
BACKGROUND: Lexus Dark Ride was concepted and created by NYC-based creative agency, SKINNY. This uniquely immersive 'interactive film' was shot in high quality, high definition film and features the new Lexus CT 200h premium compact hybrid, a first of its kind. Releasing May 13th on www.lexusdarkride.com, users will be able to play a co-starring role, sitting shotgun, in this action short. The film features extended user-pannable sequences--allowing them to take control of the camera's point of view, adding an immersive depth to the narrative. It also allows viewers to record their own dialogue lines and make decisions that impact the film's outcome.

SKINNY partnered with Stink Digital to help bring their idea to life-a unique "film-meets-gaming" experience that would combine the thrill of high-production film with the latest in interactive technology and offer users an opportunity to feel the fun-to-drive character of the CT 200h. Digital production studio Speedshape helmed the VFX & Post.

With Dark Ride, Lexus is reinventing the test drive, creating an innovative way for a young, technology-savvy, progressive target audience to experience the CT 200h, months before the car is available (early 2011).

Credits:
FILM CONCEPT & CREATIVE DIRECTION: Jonas Hallberg, Liron Reznik for SKINNY
DIGITAL PRODUCTION: Stink Digital
DIRECTOR: James Brown
PRODUCER: Aris McGarry for Stink (Gone in Sixty Seconds, Kalifornia)
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Claudio Miranda (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, DP, 2009 Academy Award-nominee)

CAST (SELECT):
Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints) as "Tony" known as the industry's top get-away driver. A lovable guy with a wild streak.
You, as "Navigator"
Scott Pruett as "Leon," the top driver of a European gang who are trying to get their hands on the Lexus.

POST PRODUCTION/VFX: Speedshape

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Skinny:
Jen Dennis, Executive Producer

Stink Digital:
Daniel Bergmann, Robert Herman, Mark Pytlik, Stefan Dufgran, Executive Producers
Dominic Watkins, Production Designer
Steve Reiss, Post Production Supervisor
Marcel Kornblum, Creative Technologist
Adam McNichol, Interactive Producer
Ian McGregor, Lead Developer
Jamie Copeland, Matt Sweetman, Benoit Vinay, Javier Abanses, Zenon
Olenski, Key Developers
Kristian Saliba, Art Direction
Josh Smith, Design

Speedshape
Connor Meechan, VFX Supervisor
Arnon Manor, VFX Producer
Ilya Astrakhan, CG Supervisor
Craig Bernard, Executive Producer

Final Cut, London
Jono Griffith, Editor