In a world dominated by screens, where people’s interactions are mostly virtual and notifications have replaced human contact, how can we connect on a more personal level? And more importantly, where does love fit in? In this screen-heavy world we have just painted, keeping our emotions alive through real-life interactions can be difficult. But not impossible.
Spanish confectionery company Fini turned to Zombie Studio, in search of a sweet way to address this issue, launching a story that we bet you’ll be “Fallin’ in Love” with. The animated video showcases how digital disrupts reality and how people drift apart. Narrated through the point of view of an apprentice Cupid, the story serves as a wake-up call to us, reminding people not to let superficial, virtual interactions eclipse real connections.
Given this context, it might seem difficult for an apprentice Cupid to succeed. With no experience whatsoever, Mr. Cupid is a bit clumsy. While on the mission to get Emma and Noah meet, two strangers who take the same subway each day, his arrow strikes anyone but his target. Thankfully, the team of other Cupids is ready to jump in and help the rookie matchmaker achieve his goal.
The romantic tale is conceptualized by Pablo Moreno, Global CMO of The Fini Company and directed by award-winning director Paulo Garcia. It came to life via a collaboration with Probably Agency and The Mushroom Co., with original music by Bumblebeat. Talking to Forbes, the CMO revealed how the idea for the campaign sprouted in his mind.
“It all started one day when I noticed people on the street weren’t looking each other in the eye. That really saddened me. And honestly, what’s more beautiful in life than looking into someone’s eyes and falling in love? That led us to reflect internally as a team and ask ourselves, ‘What can Fini do for people’?”, Moreno explained while mentioning the appreciation he carries for Walt Disney.
Following a visual style that beautifully combines digital animation with hand-painted 2D textures, the animation is more than just a love story, reminding us how much — or who — we might miss because of the screens. According to the CMO, the video is dedicated to everyone: “This is a short film for everyone—it needed to be freely accessible, with no strings attached.” The video is running in theaters, on social media, YouTube, and more.
CREDITS
Brand: Fini Company
Production: Zombie Studio
Director: Paulo Garcia
Managing Director: Natalia Gouvea
Executive Producer : Natalia Gouvea, Alex Unick
Producer Director: André Carvalho
Art Director: André Zendron
Animation Supervisor: Alex Ferreira Simões
Head of CGI: Isaac Buzzola
CGI Director: Leandro Marcelino
CGI Technical Director: Wesley Oliveira, Alisson Perin
Storyboard and Animatic: Gabriel Sao Marcos, Saulo Brito
Character Design: Rayner Alencar
Concept Artist: André Zendron, Bruno Jacob
Color Key: Pedro Minho, Thomas Mögk, André Zendron
Lookdev: Claudio Junior, Ricardo Alves, Thiago Peyon, Giovani Kososki, Gean Carlos, Matheus Lopes, Alehandro Franca
Lighting Supervisor: Letícia Fagundes, Felipe Ferreira (Bench Park)
Lighting Producer: Vitoria Tobias (Bench Park)
Lighting: Letícia Fagundes, Felipe Ferreira, Adilson Chaves, Renato Luiz, Thiago Harui, Vinícius Alves
3D Model Supervisor: Leo Rezende, Vitor Semeghini
Model: Leo Rezende, Vitor Semeghini, Raul Sales, Ricardo Alves, Adriano Delfino, Pedro Hortêncio, Ricardo Viana, Danilo Silva
Environment: Lumascape
Environment/Asset supervisor: Ale Barbosa
Environment/Asset Artists: Vinícius Vanderlinde, Tayná Aimoré, Danilo Silva, Amanda Ribeiro, Marcus Sidônio, Gabriel Rocha
Technical Rig Supervisor: Raul Sales
Rig: Komodo Rigging Studio, Felipe Sanges, Pedro Augusto, Bruno Marques, Lucas Contin, Raul Sales
Technical Animation Supervisor: Gustavo Figueiredo
Animation Layout: Raphael Vinicius, Gustavo Figueiredo, Leandro Marcelino
Animation: Alex Ferreira Simões, Bohdan Frantsishko, Bruno Fabian, Camila Fazolin, Carlos Schveppe, Carina Henriksson, Daniele Vieira, Ewerton (Ton) Farias, Fabio Pugliese, Felipe Simões, Francielle Zucolin, Gustavo Figueiredo, Igor Batrak, Jeffry Syahputra, Jonathan Bento, Leonardo Paul, Lincoln Lima, Lucas Barbosa
Michel Band, Rodrigo Mendes, Rodrigo Souza
2D VFX: Marcelo Fahd
Composition Supervisor: Isabela Ferrari
Composition: Isabela Ferrari, Leticia Fagundes, Carol Nicolletti, Isaac Buzzola
Assembler: Alisson Perin,Enrique Pedretti, Carol Nicolletti, Matheus Lopes, Rafael Vargas, Raul Sales, Romulo Godinho
Edit: André Carvalho
Motion Graphics: Vinicius Kahan,Yohann da Geb
Creative Deck Graphic Design: Kaike Gouvea
Agenda Coordinator: Kira Nayana
Financial: Alessandra Cena
Music & Sound
Bumblebeat
Audio Directors
Henrique Tanji
Lucas Sfair
Original Music “Cupid’s Symphony”
Henrique Tanji
Lucas Sfair
Original Song “Love’s Arrow”
Henrique Tanji
Lucas Sfair
Jards
Luisa Hackett
Lyrics
Luisa Hackett
Henrique Tanji
Lucas Sfair
Singer
Luisa Hackett
Dubbing
Lucas Sfair
Henrique Tanji
Sound Design & Foley
Lucas Sfair
Henrique Tanji
Leonardo Lima
Mix & Master
Henrique Tanji
Lucas Sfair
Musicians
Cordas – Aramis Rocha
Violão & Guitarra – Wagner Sanches no
Baixo – Johnny Bass
Metais – Samuel Pompeo, Azeitona, Roberto Marques
Flautas, Clarinete – Zafe Roch
