Dec 2023
60 projects, 20 awards, 1 big makeover…and a partridge in a pear tree: Chrome’s 2023 wrapped
It’s that time of year again, where, in a hot cocoa-induced fog we find ourselves taking a break from the end of year rush and getting all reflective.
2023 was a big one for us. We took on some great projects, grew our talented team and reinvented our image. So, now that 2024 is in sight, it seems only appropriate to indulge in a retrospective.
Ford’s Return to F1
When the team at Ford approached Chrome Productions with the opportunity to create a film celebrating Ford’s long-anticipated return to Formula 1, the answer was a resounding hell yes!
For this project, we crafted a metaphorical story that celebrates their dramatic return alongside Oracle Red Bull Racing, whilst also highlighting Ford’s mission to connect with tens of millions of new customers around the world by introducing them to an exciting line-up of EVs, new technologies, and cutting-edge engineering.
We brought a 1966 Mustang Fastback to the iconic Brands Hatch and the latest Mustang Mach-E to Red Bull Racing HQ in Milton Keynes to honour not only where Ford has been, but their current journey as an increasingly electric, software-defined, modern industry-leader.
Farewell to Fiesta
After a spectacular forty-year run, the family-favourite Fiesta was set to bid farewell to the roads. On the occasion, Ford invited us to create a film that properly celebrated this trusty vehicle for its many years of service. We created a performance-led film that pays emotional tribute to the car through the narrative device of a bedtime story from grandfather to grandson.
In this film, Chrome brought the Fiesta’s journey to life, paying homage to its familiarity, accessibility and reliability - describing it as a teacher, a wingman, an old faithful friend and part of the family. By combining cinematic narrative with iconic archival footage of the Fiesta over the years, we come to understand and appreciate all that the Fiesta has done for us and for Ford.
Now, after nine generations of the iconic small car, it’s time to say thank you…and goodbye.
Chrome’s New Brand Identity
After more than 20 years with our faithful branding, we’ve had a facelift! It started with a visual rebrand, still the same Chrome but with a new wordmark and icon, forward-leaning to represent our energy and perpetual motion.
Then came a shiny new website that is now more representative of who we are: we’re not just a production company, but a full-service creative partner for the world’s leading brands - producing work that excites, inspires, and leaves a mark.
It’s best illustrated by a punchy little film, put together by our in-house team to mark the website’s release.
Christie’s ‘Must-See TV’
Having broadcast several of Christie’s New York auctions before, Chrome was thrilled to take the partnership international in 2023 – capturing the fast-paced action with a dynamic mix of camera technology and production design in the storied Rockefeller Center in New York and London’s King Street auction rooms.
We created a vast array of content to fill the room with colourful artwork details and bring the stunning works to life. With a bespoke graphics package, a multitude of interstitial films, monumental screens and an array of dynamic cameras to cover the energetic bidding, the auction once again mixed the best of entertainment and live sports – even garnering an article from the New York Times that declared the auctions ‘Must-See TV’!
TUI Goes Skiing
At the start of the year we took to the slopes with TUI to showcase the breath-taking beauty of Schladming, a picturesque town in Austria, and the exhilarating ski and snowboarding experiences that TUI Blue offers there.
Our TV commercial truly brought to life the full TUI experience that awaits visitors on their winter adventures - from the adrenaline-pumping slopes and après-ski to the cosy chalets and restaurants. Filming in the mountains added extra production challenges, with ever-changing weather conditions and complex location moves, but we loved every second!
A Walk Around the World with Standard Chartered
When it came to this brief, we faced the challenge of showing the breadth of Standard Chartered’s international reach across a variety of industries without having to physically circumnavigate the globe.
Using Virtual production we provided the ideal sustainable solution, offering a way to showcase vastly different environments without leaving the UK.
In this film, we highlighted Standard Chartered’s rich cultural identities, global presence, and key business areas by joining each of the bank’s eleven local markets and sectors into one global walk. We featured over 100 cast in 11 locations across 4 continents, all from a single virtual production studio in London – true cinematic magic!
Becoming Xtraordinary
This spring we collaborated with Bear Grylls-fronted company BecomingX and family programming streamer Da Vinci to present the docuseries Becoming Xtraordinary.
The series aims to motivate and inspire young audiences to reach their full potential through over 70 interviews of sports, business and entertainment icons including Julia Roberts, Dame Kelly Holmes, Roger Federer, Ursula Burns, Channing Tatum, and Danica Patrick.
From development through to post production, we delivered ten compelling episodes of real-life, inspirational content that families can enjoy together.
AutoVision Production Company of the Year
2023 was a bumper year for us when it came to award wins. We took home trophies at the Lovies and Telly awards, amongst others, leaving our cabinet heaving with 20 new additions. The year was topped off, howver at the AutoVision Awards where we were awarded five OttoCars and declared the inaugural Production Company of the Year.
To stand out among such a large pool of entries is truly a privilege and an honour. We are immensely proud of the work our team have produced in the last 12 months.
But we couldn’t do it alone. We want to take this opportunity to extend a huge thank you to everyone we’ve worked with this year from our clients to our crews and all those in between. You’ve all been amazing and we couldn’t have done it without you. Have a fantastic Holiday Season and we’ll see you in 2024.
Happy New Year!
Chrome Productions
