Written by on Jul 8, 2010. Posted in Production News

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts shoots ad in French Alps

Global hospitality brand Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has filmed a new commercial in the French Alps. It’s in our Nature shows a lone traveller making his way through a snowy forest while being stalked by wolves. When he eventually collapses, the wolves descend but lie around him to warm rather than attack him.

Bariloche in western Argentina was considered as a shoot location but when production was delayed scouting turned to the northern hemisphere as the seasons changed. Canada was rejected due to issues with the transportation of wolves and the Plateau des Glieres in the French Alps was eventually chosen.

Claudia Traeger, a Line Producer with Quad Productions in France, said: “Canada was too complex. We had better wolves in France specially trained by Pierre Cadeac, one of the most experienced animal trainers in France. Otherwise we faced a nightmare getting the wolves through Customs and quarantine in Canada.”

Access in the French Alps was a challenge as the approach roads were narrow and the right plans had to be made to get equipment trucks through the snow for the three-day shoot. James Brook-Partridge, a Producer with Ogilvy & Mather, said: “The location required us to have about eight snow cats to move the crew and kit around. We almost lost the whole first day as it was snowing and the light was very bad.” He added that the crew all wore thermal clothing as the temperature was -13 degrees throughout the shoot.

Transport issues were made slightly easier as the production secured a large parking space at a nearby hotel that accommodated all the vehicles required by the 50-strong crew. Ms Traeger added: “You need a lot of people and a lot of vehicles. Everything takes twice as long in the snow.”

Click here to view the ad.

Credits
Client: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
Agency: Ogilvy & Mather Asia/Pacific
Creative Directors: Pierre Desfretier
Production Company: Quad Productions
Line Producer: Claudia Traeger

Producer: James Brook-Partridge
Director: Bruno Aveillan