Joshua Lee
Note: Excited to announce Leevoke is ranked "Top Motion Graphic Companies" through our partnership with DesignRush - https://www.designrush.com/
There’s something timeless about Christmas stories. They carry warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of wonder and when done right, they leave a lasting impression. This past holiday season, we had the absolute pleasure of working with Hilton London Hilton on Park Lane to bring one such story to life in the most magical way possible.
The project? The Gingerbread Men Christmas Story.
The challenge? To transform Hilton’s festive concept into a piece of content that would spread joy across social media while feeling both premium and playful.
The Vision
Hilton came to us with a beautifully imaginative idea: gingerbread men brought to life in a heartwarming Christmas tale. It was a fun and whimsical narrative that needed the right blend of technical creativity and emotional storytelling and that’s where we came in.
From the beginning, it was clear that this wouldn’t be your average holiday shoot. We knew that CGI (computer-generated imagery) would be at the core of this project. The goal was to seamlessly integrate animated gingerbread characters into a luxurious, real-world setting capturing the festive magic while staying true to Hilton’s elegant branding.
The Process
Creating CGI content requires a different rhythm than traditional shoots. Here’s a glimpse into how we brought it all together:
📝 Pre-Production & Storyboarding:
Working closely with Hilton’s marketing and creative teams, we mapped out each scene, defined the narrative arc, and pinpointed emotional beats that would connect with viewers. This stage involved detailed storyboards that served as the visual guide for both live-action shots and CGI integration.
📹 Filming the Real-World Elements:
We shot the base content at Hilton on Park Lane, making sure to capture the atmosphere, lighting, and camera angles that would allow our CGI elements to blend in flawlessly later. Even the smallest details like the way light bounced off decorations mattered.
✨ CGI Integration:
Our animators and visual effects team crafted custom gingerbread characters and animated them to interact naturally with the filmed environment. This included everything from walking across tabletops to sharing festive gestures that brought the characters to life. Texture, lighting, and shadows were carefully matched to the real-world footage for a seamless finish.
➡️ Post-Production & Sound Design:
Final touches included colour grading, festive music overlays, and subtle sound effects to elevate the experience. The result was a cozy, cheerful, and high-quality piece of content perfect for Hilton’s holiday campaign.
The Impact
Once launched, the content made waves across social media. Not only did it resonate emotionally with audiences, but it also reflected Hilton’s brand values: warm hospitality, joyful experiences, and unforgettable moments. Engagement was strong, with viewers sharing the campaign and commenting on the creativity behind it.
Looking Ahead
This project took dedication, trust, and a whole lot of imagination and we couldn’t be prouder of how it all came together. We’re incredibly grateful to Hilton for their vision and collaboration, and to every person who played a role behind the scenes.
We’re already excited about what’s next. If this project was any indication, the future of branded storytelling is full of magic and we’re here for it.
What’s your favourite holiday campaign you saw this year?
