Through the Dark is a 41⁄2 minute 3D-animated interactive film, which is viewed in a web browser and rendered in real-time. The film is a collaboration between Google Play Music and Australian hip hop group Hilltop Hoods, featuring the band's song of the same title ("Through the Dark"). The song was written by band member MC Pressure (Daniel Smith) after his son was diagnosed with leukemia at eight-years-old. Based on this experience, which is told through the song's lyrics, the film tells an emotional story of a boy and his father. Through the Dark has been awarded over 50 accolades at international award shows.
Technical aspects
Through the Dark is experienced within a web browser and uses standard web technologies such as WebGL and Web Audio API. When viewed on a mobile device, the film's virtual camera is mapped to the device's accelerometer. The camera angle within the film is changed when the device is rotated or tilted, allowing the viewer to move between two worlds of light and dark. When viewed on a computer, the movement of the camera is controlled by scrolling.
Accolades
Awards Show | Date | Category / Award | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
FWA Awards 2016 | 16 January 2017 | FWA of the Year 2016 | Won |
|
People's Choice Award 2016 | Won | |||
D&AD Awards 2017 | 27 April 2017 | Crafts for Design / Animation & Illustration for Websites & Digital Design | Yellow Pencil |
|
Graphic Design / Digital & Mobile | Wood Pencil | |||
ADC Annual Awards 2017 | 8 May 2017 | Interactive / Interactive Film | Gold |
|
Craft in Digital / Art Direction | Silver | |||
Creative Review 'The Annual' 2017 | 8 May 2017 | Interactive Film & Virtual, Augmented or Mixed Reality | Won | |
The One Show 2017 | 12 May 2017 | Mobile: Craft / Visual Effects / Animation | Bronze | |
The Webby Awards 2017 | 15 May 2017 | Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics | Won |
|
Best Use of Animation or Motion Graphics, People's Voice Award | Won | |||
AWARD Awards 2017 | 26 May 2017 | Craft In Advertising / Film - Best Use and/or Arrangement of Existing Music | Gold |
|
Design / Entertainment Design | Gold | |||
Film & Video / Interactive Film, Individual. Any Length | Silver | |||
Craft In Advertising / Film - Direction | Silver | |||
Craft In Advertising / Film - Animation | Silver | |||
Craft In Advertising / Branded Entertainment and Content | Silver | |||
Branded Entertainment & Content / Mobile | Silver | |||
Branded Entertainment & Content / Experiential - Interactive | Silver | |||
Craft In Advertising / Digital - Animation | Bronze | |||
Direct Marketing / Art Direction for Direct, Individual | Bronze | |||
Digital / Mobile - Other | Bronze | |||
Digital / Online Film, Over 3 Minutes | Bronze | |||
Branded Entertainment & Content / Entertainment - Online | Bronze | |||
AICP Next Awards 2017 | 6 June 2017 | Website Category | Gold | |
Cannes Lions 2017 | 24 June 2017 | Digital Craft - Overall Aesthetic Design | Gold |
|
Digital Craft - Video & Moving Image | Gold | |||
Digital Craft - Digital Illustration | Silver | |||
Film - Music Video | Silver | |||
Cyber - Interactive Video | Bronze | |||
Digital Craft - Technological Achievement | Bronze | |||
Mobile - Innovative Technology | Bronze | |||
AMY Awards 2017 | 7 July 2017 | Best Content Led Marketing Campaign | Won | |
MMA Awards 2017 | 25 September 2017 | Mobile Website | Silver | |
Innovation | Silver | |||
Mobile Video | Silver | |||
Clio Awards 2017 | 27 September 2017 | Digital/Mobile Technique - Graphic Design | Silver |
|
Digital/Mobile - Website | Bronze | |||
Spikes Asia 2017 | 29 September 2017 | Digital Craft | Grand Prix |
|
Music - Excellence In Brand / Music Sponsorship or Partnership | Gold | |||
Digital Craft - Overall Aesthetic Design | Silver | |||
Music - Excellence In Music Video | Silver | |||
Digital Craft - Digital Illustration | Bronze | |||
Design - Digital & Interactive Design | Bronze | |||
Ciclope Festival 2017 | 27 October 2017 | Digital Craft - Interactive Film | Gold | |
London International Awards 2017 | 30 October 2017 | Digital - Animation/Motion Graphics | Gold | |
Digital - Branded Content | Silver | |||
Digital - Innovative Use of Digital | Bronze | |||
AdFest 2018 | 25 March 2018 | Design Lotus - Motion & Digital Design | Gold | |
Film Lotus - Interactive Film | Silver | |||
Interactive Lotus - Interactive VDO | Silver | |||
Mobile Lotus - Video Viral VDO & Interactive VDO | Silver | |||
Mobile Lotus - Use of Technology for Mobile | Silver |
References
- ^ Stewart, Hamish (12 November 2016). "Through the Dark: A creative, technical and emotional journey". Medium. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- ^ "D&AD Awards 2017 Pencil Winner - Animation & Illustration for Websites & Digital Design". D&AD. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- ^ "Deconstructing Creativity: R/GA Sydney's 'Through the Dark' interactive music video". Adobo Magazine. 7 August 2017. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
- ^ "R/GA Sydney, Hilltop Hoods + Google Play team in support of young people living with cancer". Campaign Brief Australia. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- ^ "Spikes Asia - Grand Prix: Digital Craft". Spikes Asia. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- "Through The Dark by Google Play Music - Chrome Experiments". Google. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- "Hilltop Hoods' Powerful New Interactive Video Is Raising Money For Cancer Charity". Gizmodo Australia. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- "Five things that most impress D&AD Judges". Creative Boom. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- "How the Hilltop Hoods turned a cancer battle into hope for others". News Limited. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- "FWA of the Year 2016 & People's Choice Award winners announced!". The FWA. 16 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- "R/GA Sydney claims top FWA honours for Hilltop Hoods + Google Play Music's 'Through The Dark'". Campaign Brief Australia. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
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- "Through the Dark / 2017 Digital: Interactive / Interactive". ADC. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
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- "'The Annual' 2017 - Google Through The Dark". Creative Review. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 2018-01-31. (registration required)
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- "Spikes Asia - Gold: Music - Sponsorship or Partnership". Spikes Asia. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- "Spikes Asia - Silver: Overall Aesthetic Design". Spikes Asia. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- "Spikes Asia - Silver: Excellence In Music Video". Spikes Asia. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- "Spikes Asia - Bronze: Digital Illustration". Spikes Asia. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
- "Spikes Asia - Bronze: Digital & Interactive Design". Spikes Asia. Retrieved 2018-01-31.
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