We've had the pleasure of collaborating with Uitgekookt to introduce to you: Sjef. He'll be spearheading this and future campaigns as a true 3D spokesperson, salesman, and loveable know-it-all. It’s been a fantastic project, and we’re proud of the seamless blend of animation and real-world elements.
Creating Sjef was an exciting journey. From his charming smile to his confident stance, Sjef is designed to be the perfect ambassador for Uitgekookt. Once we had a solid concept, we moved on to modeling him in 3D.
For this shot we laid out a physical track on set and used an actual toy firetruck along with a 3D-printed model of Sjef to act out the route. The Director of Photography (DOP) mimicked the toy firetruck’s route, while we used a ditter to overlay a previz version of Sjef in his truck for optimal reference. This hands-on approach allowed us to capture realistic movements and interactions.
In one heartwarming scene, Sjef helps a new Uitgekookt client on her iPad. To capture this sweet moment, we focused on highlighting Sjef’s adorable face, ensuring his expressions were lifelike and endearing.
It has been a blast working together with Uitgekookt and DDB Amsterdam to bring Sjef to life, a character that’s sure to become a household name!