DB Cargo London Eurohub
I was asked by DB Cargo to produce a marketing video for the launch of their multi-million pound multi-modal rail depot based in Barking.
This EU funded partnership leads the way for one of the first HS1 and UK rail network linked facilities of it's type, allowing the handling of over 150,000+ cars annually to and from Europe via the Channel Tunnel.
To see the animation on the DB Cargo website please follow this link - DB Cargo - London Eurohub
The brief was to illustrate the seamless process of manufacturer to dealership with least amount of handling. The client wanted to show the full journey, starting from the production line to the arrival in the UK and final onward journey via UK Rail network or road car transporters.
I was responsible for the storey-boarding, 3D modelling, animation, music and voice-over editing, in addition to cutting it together with pre-existing video to provide an introductory overview of the company.
Stage 1 - Car production plant
The starting point to the 3D animation is the assembly process showing the car in an early state of production moving along the line. As the car progresses, various components of the vehicle, such as the engine, chassis and body appear and come together to show the car coming off the finished production line.
On completion of the vehicle, the car drive out through the factory doors to join the other finished vehicles in the holding area.
Stage 2 - Embark onto DB Cargo car transporter wagons
As the vehicles join the holding area, the vehicles to the front of the group drive onto the rear of an awaiting wagon using a specially designed ramp. As most factories have direct rail links this means the cars can drive straight on and along to the front before being secured into place.
Stage 3 - Departure by rail
Once the final cars are secure on the vehicle the shot sweeps to the front of the train to show its departure. The video then fades to an animated map depicting the various routes the network covers.
One of the key aspects of this network is the use of 'hubs' either side of the channel to enable comprehensive routing.
Stage 4 - French approach to Euro-tunnel
Once the overview of the European network is outlined, using the animated map and voice-over, the camera zooms from the map right down to a satellite image right down to a moving train which is on approach to the Eurotunnel. This is one of the most challenging shots I've been asked to produce and took lots of tests and careful setting up to try and edit together smoothly and seamlessly. To me, this was always going to be the element which would help stitch the journey together to fulfil the brief, so to hear the client say that the result was far better than they had imagined, was incredibly satisfyinfg.
Stage 5 - The introduction of the Barking depot
Once the train had travelled through the Eurotunnel, with on-screen titles outlining the benefits this method provides, there is another sweep from ground to map view to show the journey from the Eurotunnel exit point, towards London's Barking depot. This allows time to introduce this major part of the 'hub' and sweep back down from satellite imagery to the newly developed depot which was completely built in 3D.
As part of the 3D modelling process I was able to assist in some of their decisions as to layout of the parking and some elements of the fence and gate security. As everything was built from architectural blueprints the actual model did in fact help the client to visualise details of the scheme which were still outstanding.
Stage 6 - Barking depot processing overview
Once the vehicles arrive at the depot, the animation shows the train pulling up and unlocking the rear ramps so vehicles can exit. The camera follows the first group of cars off the train, through the depot, to be parked for valeting or onto truck transporters. While this is happening, some key notes about the depot's effectiveness are highlighted.
The final sequence shows the car transporters leaving the depot as one continuous operation, while the camera zooms back up into the sky showing the final map of the UK's road network linking dealerships and manufacturers which fades to the company logo ident.
©2017 Visuals-3D Ltd