Supply and Demand recently tapped the visual effects team at Riot to collaborate on a new spot for the MGM Grand with ad agency SKG. Directed by Bruce Dowad, the Busby Berkeley-inspired, 30-second commercial features extensive visual effects by Riot.

“Illusion” immerses viewers in the imagination of a woman vacationing at the MGM Grand. Gazing into her crystal martini glass, she’s swept into a mystical world. Adorned in an elaborate showgirl costume, she rides a giant swan through a theatrical setting before diving into the air, which morphs into water. She wades past a magnificent martini olive before the spot shifts back to reality.

With the snap of a finger, her charming date puts their table center stage as a procession of dazzling showgirls wearing gold costumes enter a spiraling ramp surrounding them. The spot concludes with a series of spinning-record-dance-floors under the light of golden disco balls, and playing cards falling from the sky like confetti.

About Riot:
Riot is a creative studio featuring a diversity of high-end talent and technology. The Riot team dedicates itself to attentive collaboration, approaching each project holistically, drawing upon a deep knowledge of visual effects, color correction and live action experience. Recent feature film credits for Riot include: Time Traveler’s Wife, The Spirit and Jumper, and 17. Commercial campaigns and music videos recently completed at Riot include spots for Target, MGM Grand, Burger King, Spike TV and Nike.

Credits:
Client: MGM Grand
Spot Title: “Illusion”

Ad Agency: SK+G
Executive Creative Director: Eric Stein
Creative Directors: Ted Trautwein, Bill Kauker Art Directors: Joe Bergman, Jordan Roweider
Copywriters: Miles Nebeker, Jill Spradley
Producer: Joaquin Rosales

Production Company: Supply and Demand
Director: Bruce Dowad
Executive Producer: Keira Carstensen
DP: Bojan Bozelli
Producers: Leora Glass, Sartia White

Where Shot: Culver Studios, Culver City, CA

Editorial Company: King Cut/Venice, CA
Editor: Enrique Aguirre

VFX Company: Riot/Los Angeles
Creative Director/VFX Supervisor: Andrew MacDonald
Compositors: Andrew MacDonald, Wensen Ho, Joey Brattesani, Kevin Prendiville, Satoshi Ozeki, Claus Hansen Desktop Compositers: Robert Tatum, Cecile Tecson, David Hernandez CG Artists: Andy Lesniak, Michael Johnson, Bryant Reif Executive Producers: Matthew McManus, Robert Owens

Postproduction Company: Company 3/Los Angeles
Colorist: Rob Sciarratta
Assistant: Jim Harmon
Producer: Denise Brown