AUNZ Work of the Week: Heckler and Visit Abu Dhabi

Heckler produced a star-studded tourism campaign to spruik the highlights of Abu Dhabi. The action-packed spot stars Chris Hemsworth and his real life partner, Elsa Pataky, as they finish a stunt for an action movie, starting with a chase scene. The couple hang in peril as they dream up an exciting yet relaxing holiday. 

The VFX is by Heckler’s Cody Amos and direction by Justin McMillan. Cody said, “It needed to feel like something that belonged in a blockbuster, so we looked at movies like Fantastic Beasts, and I dug up some techniques I used on Spiderman. In the end, I think we have created something pretty epic, that feels alive but ambiguous.”

The campaign has a blockbuster feel to it and steers away from the category’s traditional shots of cocktails at the bar and reclining on a beach. The shots of the holiday spliced into the scene are reminiscent of a movie montage.