VIDEO: Xtreme shadow puppets sell the VW Phaeton
This spot is as amazing as the fact that the Phaeton actually made it into production. Of course, its run didn't pan out (at least in the U.S.), but you have to admit the Phaeton's a hell of a car no matter the badge on the grille. This commercial is truly incredible, as well. The expressiveness, detail and natural-looking motion these shadow puppets achieve just boggles the mind. Actually, it makes us wonder if it was a real spectacular feat shot in a single take with many talented performers who had rehearsed it until they were doing it in their sleep; or if it was a digital creation. Either way has its challenges, but we're more impressed with the former, so that's the story we'll continue to tell ourselves.
Video after the jump
[Source: YouTube via Fresh Creation]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
pauln 2:11PM (1/30/2007)
Being from that part of the world, I know that shadow puppeting is taken seriously. I'ts not digital; note the imperfections, like the eye changing on the swan/goose, etc. Probably plenty of editing and overlays, though.
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Jason_801 2:39PM (1/30/2007)
"Actually, it makes us wonder if it was a real spectacular feat shot in a single take with many talented performers who had rehearsed it until they were doing it in their sleep."
Are you serious? I love this creation they did, I really do, but if you think it was physically possible to do it in that way you may also think George Lucas used real lightsabers...
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mike 2:47PM (1/30/2007)
Not convinced about the car, but I'm sure as hell gonna try to entertain the kids with my own personal shadow puppet show tonight! I give them about a minute before they beg for the TV!
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tr 1:08AM (1/31/2007)
this commercial is great, and perfectly describes the car. there was some video floating around some time ago that showed in detail the factory where the phaeton is made, and how it was made. it really is handmade, and the attention to detail in the manufacturing is incredible. it's too bad it wasn't too popular in the US; i guess people couldn't get past the badge to see the car. the phaeton has made my list of "awesome used cars to buy".
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hank 3:37AM (1/31/2007)
It's not just the badge, Piech is an egomaniac who listens to no one.
VW has US has Audi for the US, duh. Consumers in the States want superb experience when they spend large dollars on a premium luxury vehicle.
Why the hell would someone who can afford a 100k luxury car want to hang out in a VW service waiting room with a bunch of 16 year-old gum-chewing baggie pants wearing neck-tattooed wannabe ghetto boys and their slammed Golfs and Jettas?
Toyota figured it out early with Lexus, and they're kicking serious ass as a result.
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Mike M. 1:12PM (1/31/2007)
I agree with hank!
Piech is the guy responsible for the Pheaton, the ugly Passat and the even more ugly Jetta! VW needs to restyle these cars, chop chop!
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tina 11:04PM (2/02/2007)
Hey Everyone...check out this web site, barbaraterry.com
http://barbaraterry.com/
This lady is a total car expert and really has it going on!
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Ian 11:24AM (2/05/2007)
Opinions are like farts... everyone has one and everyone else's stinks.
I personally love the Passat and the Phaeton. I've owned 5 Passats in varying body styles and now have a 99 (B5) and a 06 (B6).
So what should they make them look like? A horrid Impala? Maybe some other crap American make?
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