Montreal-based animation studio TONIC DNA and agency Sid Lee have gone back to the kitchen to serve up a second course collaboration for IGA. Having dished up last year’s award-winning “The Meatloaf” campaign, they are now ready to unwrap the 2023 Christmas spot, “Mr. Beaver’s Yule Log.”
In this campaign, the ever-grumpy Mr. Beaver must learn to share his love of baking chocolate Yule logs with the rest of the woodland creatures. The titular treat-maker and his animal friends are brought to life with stop-motion animation, while the framing device of a grandfather sharing Mr. Beaver’s tale with his granddaughters is rendered in 3D CGI.
“We are very proud of this latest installment, ‘The Yule Log of Mr. Beaver,'” says TONIC DNA Executive Producer Stefanie Bitton. “It shows how animation can be used to tell beautiful stories, and hopefully inspire us all to share and help each other during the holidays.”
As part of the campaign, IGA is selling real-life versions of Mr. Beaver’s “Yule Logs of Generosity” in participating locations across Quebec until November 30. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the annual La Guignolée charity food drive.
“Mr. Beaver’s Yule Log” was directed by Kun Chang and Fabien Fulchiron, who was also CG supervisor. The team also included animation supervisor Wiley Townsend; character designers Isabella Ceravolo and Michael Renaud; environment designers Cindy Foucault and Phoebe Mao; and senior producer Frédérique Parenteau. Additional 3D animation services were provided by Nebula Studios.
Watch “Mr. Beaver’s Yule Log” and learn more about IGA’s holiday charity drive at iga.net/en/christmas_tale.
