This comical and heartwarming television commercial was a delight to work on. Filmed on a busy Sydney beach, the project required extensive planning, coordination and animal training to ensure smooth and efficient shoot days.

Dark Horse Productions provided detailed pre-production support, including behaviour assessments and scene rehearsals. With the horses required to perform at liberty on location, expert handlers and an experienced horse master remained on set at all times to coordinate movements and ensure animal safety. The production team also collaborated with local council representatives to meet biosecurity policies, guaranteeing that the presence of non-native species left no environmental impact on the beach.

Given the number of moving parts and sophisticated filming equipment involved, every element needed to be rehearsed and synchronised well in advance. The final commercial combined live action and high-level CGI to deliver a seamless and visually engaging result.

Dark Horse Productions supplied a hero horse, a safety horse, a CGI stand-in horse and specialised props including false mane and tail extensions, green-screen markers and saddlery suited for visual effects integration. The outcome showcased the professionalism and precision required to merge real animal performances with post-production animation.

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