The brief: To create a virtual environment around an actor and place in it a hyperreal bullet train and airline jet for the 'Most First Class' insurance of Mitsui Sumitomo insurance in Japan.

There were to be 2 shoots. One for background plates in various locations around Brisbane Australia and the other shoot for the star of the commercial in a green screen studio in Japan.

This was also complicated by shots that required moving cameras.

Hence extensive planning and on set measurement using a laser range finder to create extensive notes and diagrams for the 2nd shoot.

The project required the design and modelling of a of highly detailed airliner that was generic in shape and colouring so that it would not be similar to any current airline companies. The cockpit region had to stand up to an extreme close up which always means a massive amount of geometry.

Similarly, the bullet train could not resemble any of the myriad of different designs that currently exist in Japan and had to be approved by Japan rail.

Extensive set creation was also necessary, with the construction of roads, raised freeway sections, the appropriate set dressings such as streelights, railings and road markings.

Background traffic was also constructed for the final shot.

It was also necessary to replace the side mirror on a car, for a more streamlined, sporty look, and to make the car different from any other car on the road in Japan as this one had 'broken down'.

Fire Horse came up with a number of options for the mirror design and, after one was decided upon, tracked the new 3D mirror into the live action plate.