77TH VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - THE STORM

THE SPOT WAS THE OPENING TITLE SEQUENCE OF THE FESTIVAL CEREMONY

This year, Rai crafted a compelling 60-second spot to promote the Venice International Film Festival, centering on a gondolier braving a fierce storm. The man triumphs over the relentless waves and his inner fears, embodying resilience and determination. The narrative draws inspiration from Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, including the iconic line: "Man is not made for defeat. A man can be destroyed, but not defeated."
Through this spot, we celebrate the indomitable spirit of life, emphasizing that even in these turbulent and uncertain times, hope prevails. It serves as a reminder of our shared will to fight for survival and illuminate the beauty of existence.
Created using cutting-edge Unreal Engine technology on a virtual production set, the entire shoot was achieved in real time, merging innovation with storytelling to deliver a visually stunning and emotionally resonant piece.

DIRECTOR'S NOTE:

Many people have been talking about the virtual production techniques pioneered by The Mandalorian, so when Hive Division suggested we try this approach for our project, I jumped at the opportunity. As always, time was tight—just a couple of weeks to pull it off. It was a risk, but we decided to take it.
The experience was incredible. Unlike traditional methods involving blue or green screens with backgrounds composited later, virtual production allowed us to capture nearly final images directly through the lens. Seeing the scene come to life on set in real time was a game-changer.
We managed to create complex CG elements on set that would have otherwise required significant time and budget in post-production. From rain and lightning flashes to the constant motion of water—elements that are notoriously challenging in traditional blue screen environments—everything was seamlessly integrated, saving us time and elevating the production quality. It was a bold move, but it paid off

DIRECTOR: DEVLIN PRAGER
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ricky Topazio
COPY: DEVLIN PRAGER
VOICE OVER: Giancarlo Giannini
SOUND DESIGNER: Guido Smider
COLORIST: Claudio Beltrami
EDITOR: Marcello Sanna
POST- PRODUCTION: Iggy Post
VFX: Hive Division