MGM X Formula 1 - Social Media CGI
In Color Studios was tapped by MGM to produce a striking series of CGI-driven social media posts during the high-energy F1 Vegas Race 2024. MGM wanted content that felt immediate and authentic for the event’s massive online audience, but also visually spectacular—so the studio combined raw, real-world footage with sophisticated VFX to deliver exactly that.
To capture a lived-in, on-the-ground feel, In Color Studios shot real video clips on iPhones across key Las Vegas locations. The handheld, spontaneous nature of the footage brought a sense of presence and authenticity that resonated with social audiences. Those genuine moments formed the foundation for a daring creative idea: integrate photorealistic F1 cars into iconic Las Vegas landmarks, blending reality with high-octane fantasy.
The VFX team then elevated the footage with high-level CGI and compositing. The cars were modeled, textured, and animated to match the camera moves, lighting, and perspective of the original smartphone shots. One post featured an F1 car tearing through the Cosmopolitan Hotel lobby, weaving between guests and gliding past the hotel’s signature design elements. Another imagined a sleek F1 machine skimming across the Bellagio fountains, water dynamically responding to its passage. A third placed a car speeding through Aria’s casino floor, reflecting lights and interacting with the busy environment. Each sequence was carefully composited to retain the authenticity of the source footage while adding the thrilling spectacle of professionally rendered racing machines.
Attention to detail was paramount: motion blur, reflections, shadowing, and particle interactions (like water spray at the Bellagio) were calibrated so the CGI felt rooted in the filmed environment. Sound design and punchy edits completed the posts, delivering short clips optimized for social viewing—fast-paced, loopable, and instantly shareable.
The campaign paid off. The social posts generated intense engagement across platforms during the Formula 1 weekend, driving shares, comments, and buzz among race fans and casual viewers alike. By marrying true-to-life iPhone footage with high-end CGI, In Color Studios created content that felt both credible and spectacular—perfect for the electric atmosphere of F1 Vegas. The project showcased how blending authentic capture with advanced VFX can produce viral, event-driven content that amplifies a brand’s presence during marquee moments.