GRAFX CO. was approached by agency Hyperactive to help create a spot for ESPN's "The beauty of the game" campaign. Featuring NBA star J.R. Smith. the spot sees J.R. mentally and physically preparing to make a dunk and, with great passion, managing to completely destroy the backboard.
For the close-up of J.R. breaking the backboard a fully CG replacement was created, consisting of 5 different types of glass shatter. From large chunks to fine dust, simulations were created in 3D and composited in After Effects.
A combination of CG and actual plastic (a byproduct of the school's safety guidelines and something about real glass and children not being a good mix) come together to make the veritable stream falling from the now broken backboard.
