Think Auburn PSA

Introducing the spirit of Auburn to a mass audience

Animation & Motion

MPG was chosen to create the 2019 NCAA commercial for Auburn University. We focused on some of the lesser-known aspects of what makes Auburn such a valuable institution. Check out the theme and spot below.

We asked a crucial question: You may know Auburn, but do you KNOW Auburn? After this spot, you will.

Football player running with ball
Particle Eagle flying next to Auburn Plane
Particle Eagle flying around fashion model on runway

Auburn’s eagle, known as Spirit, has long represented the essence of the university

Particle Eagle model

The particle eagle from this NCAA video was first modeled in a futuristic, art-deco style.

Particle Eagle rig and streaks

Particle generators were developed to create the eagle’s signature look and feel.

Particle Eagle model and rig

A rig was created to animated the eagle’s movement.

Breakdown of final eagle treatment

The final composite

Combining computer-generated elements and live-action footage requires specialized VFX techniques.

The biggest challenge of this project was making our animated eagle interact with its environment in a convincing way. This involves “tracking” the camera move from the live-action footage and applying it to our eagle. We also rotoscoped specific elements of each shot to allow our eagle to pass through the scene. Finally, blend modes and the final composite brought the color spaces together and gave the eagle an ethereal feel.

Particle Eagle flying around Samford Hall

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