BBC One Christmas - Hot Air Balloon ident (1999)

Concept and creative process

This Christmas campaign was inspired by the scale and magic of classic holiday movies. It brought together Santa and the BBC One branding - The Balloon. Santa is seen delivering presents across the nation. An actor in full costume, hair and make-up, was shot in a life-sized hot air balloon basket, with burner and ropes against green screen. The individual parachutes, which open as they fall from the basket, were animated in CGI. The final wide-shot shows the CGI BBC Balloon and the gently parachuting presents composited in post-production with a 3D cityscape, night sky, moon, snow and lighting effects.