A Prius drives through a city where there is a herd of sheep in the street

Prius 2023

Framestore Pictures director Rich Lee introduces audiences to the new and improved Toyota Prius – a car that single-handedly started the alt-fuel revolution – revealing a 2023 model that is fast, sexy, and a blast to drive. 

Direction
A herd of sheep at a stoplight

Working alongside Saatchi & Saatchi, Rich and the Framestore VFX team collaborated closely on ideas and techniques so that the transition between production and post was seamless and as visually unified as possible. 

The campaign comprises two spots, the first of which sees the all-new Prius go head-to-head with its own shadow. Building the tension, the antagonistic shadow taunts the vehicle as it revs its engine and inches closer and closer to the intersection, waiting impatiently for the red light to turn green. In an instant, the light changes and the Prius launches itself forward whipping through the streets of Downtown LA with all of its newfound might and attitude, getting a jumpstart on its shadow, which is now completely disconnected and working hard to keep up.

a red 2023 Toyota Prius at a stoplight

The second spot opens to a flock of sheep, representing the “same old, same old” vehicles going about their business in the city. The Prius, beautifully symbolic of the future, gracefully slices through with its sleek black facade against the direction of the sheep.

“Rich was the ultimate collaborator in bringing this unexpectedly bold campaign to life,” said Saatchi & Saatchi Creatives, Scott Ellman and Andrew Reizuch. “Building off our vision, his directorial approach was the perfect complement for our simple, visually driven stories. His calm leadership and technical expertise helped ensure that each spot felt visceral and real, brimming with attitude befitting the redesigned Prius. Together, we’re proud to deliver work that changes the perception of this iconic vehicle.”

Credits

Agency
Saatchi & Saatchi
Production
Framestore Pictures
Director
Rich Lee
Director of Photography
Macgregor
Managing Director
Jennifer Siegel
Executive Producer
Michel Waxman
Line Producer
Kevin Clark
VFX
Framestore
Creative Director
James Rogers
Director of Production
Carla Attanasio
Executive Producer
Dan Roberts
2D Lead
Woei Lee
Lead Flame
Shauna Prescott
VFX Producer
Valia Brinck
VFX Coordinator
Jackie Wingo
Color
Trafik
Colorist
Mark Gethin
Edit
Cabin Editorial
Editor
Scott Butzer
Music/Sound
Lime Studios