Creating a TV commercial that captivates millions is no small feat, particularly when it involves iconic brands like Bud Light and the UFC. Today, we’re taking you behind the scenes to explore the intricate work that went into crafting this memorable advertisement. From creating a larger-than-life UFC arena to conjuring up an alien character in a bar, this post will reveal the artistry and technology behind the magic..

The actual UFC arena is relatively small, which posed a challenge for our team. Bud Light envisioned a grander space, reminiscent of Madison Square Garden, filled with electrifying energy.

The task started on location in Las Vegas, where detailed measurements of the ring stands and relevant camera information were taken and the primary talent was shot. Our immersive team led by Creative Director, Ninaad Kulkarni, developed an entire CG realtime stadium with crowd sims—in this case using Unreal Engine. The focus being set extension, making a small empty live action stage look like a bustling, cinematic arena.

Using the live-action plates as our canvas, we went through multiple rounds of revisions to nail the alien’s performance. We used HDRI lighting captured on set to integrate the character into the live-action plate seamlessly and textured the alien to look as real as the human actors.

Peter Tarter, our editing wizard, made scene transitions pure magic. “Cutting at the perfect moment in the footage then to a white flash for the transition then back to the footage was what made the magic of the actors appearing,” Peter explains. Each transition had its own flair—whether it was for the “Tall” wish, the “Alien” wish, or the “Dustin Poirier” wish.