Resist Temptation with This Visual Feast That Won't Ruin Your January Detox
Written, designed and directed by Design Lad, short film ‘Temptation Street’ captures the everyday temptations that so easily steer us off course - whether it’s cravings, old habits, or the subtle lure of persuasive adverts.
Utilising his signature dark humour, director/3D illustrator Design Lad crafts an urban world ‘where nutrition goes to die’, complete with a cast of unsavoury characters. A playful tug-of-war between temptation and willpower, we see larger-than-life snacks come to life with irresistible charm.
Design Lad comments, “The concept came to life during a quick work trip to London, where I had set out with no plans to spend money or eat unhealthily. Yet, from the oversized adverts filling the train station to the endless rows of enticing restaurants, temptation was everywhere. Before I knew it, I’d given in, buying food I didn’t even enjoy - a small reminder of how hard it is to stay on track in a world full of clever persuasion”.
Design Lad used a mixture of 2D and 3D techniques in After Effects, Photoshop, Cinema4D and RedShift to achieve the desired look.
With a background in graphic design, Design Lad found great joy in the small details throughout the environments and characters. He used reference photos from locations in London and Brooklyn, as well as Google Street View, to add recognisable charm to each scene.
Peppered throughout establishments such as ‘Sinful Slices’ and ‘Indulge ‘n’ Fold’, a mafia-style burger boss and gang of sidekicks work tirelessly to entice our protagonist into giving in to temptation.
Playing with character and narrative, Design Lad opted for a trailer-style structure to increase the drama, and challenge himself to craft a piece that demands a tight, effective use of narrative. After all - no trailer is complete without a high octane chase scene!
Working closely with Box of Toys to steer the sound design and voice over, Design Lad opted for a dynamic blend of playful mischief and delicious energy.
