Sandaya
Updated: Sep 4
PRODUCTION
Studio | FixStudio (Paris) |
Role | Modeling / Sculpting / Texturing / Surfacing / Rigging |
Year | 2023 |
Software | Maya / Zbrush / Substance Painter / Photoshop / Arnold |
Agency | Madame de Sanzillon |
Production | Quad Productions |
THE PROJECT
A commercial for Sandaya, a specialist in upscale holiday villages and campsites. The film follows
a family on a stay at a Sandaya resort, among mobile homes, a lagoon pool and a summer
atmosphere, joined by Koolaya, the brand's koala mascot. Through a lively choreography, the
family and Koolaya dance together in a feel-good spirit. A 3D character integrated into live-action
footage, the mascot embodies the warm, dynamic image of the brand under the signature "Êtes-vous
Sandaya?"
MY ROLE
I handled the modeling, texturing and rigging of the main character, the mascot Koolaya. I modeled
the koala in Maya and ZBrush, then worked its textures in Substance Painter and Photoshop to give
it its shape and material. On the rigging side, the challenge came from the choreography: Koolaya
had to dance alongside real actors, with perfectly human, synchronized movement. I therefore built
the rig so it could be driven by motion capture data, ensuring natural, believable motion. I added a
facial controller system coupled with blendshapes, giving animators wide flexibility over
expressions and bringing the character fully to life. Rendering was handled in Arnold. This project extends my character work for advertising, this time with the added challenge of having a 3D character dance alongside real actors, something I hadn't faced on Oasis Peach Tea.
