Live Your Dreams

With Christmas right around the corner, there was only one thing in everyone's mind. Nope, it wasn't Santa or his presents. Instead, it was Elsa and the gang in the highly anticipated return of Disney's Frozen 2. Together with Grab, we partnered up to bring a little magic for its launch all around Southeast Asia.

We started with a short film. Drawing inspiration from the theme in the movie, we wanted to encourage parents to let their children live their dream. No matter what they may be. We also dressed the Grab app with a customised Frozen 2 makeover. Fans and families could then take part in challenges where they stood to win an assortment of prizes and giveaways.

On this project, I had the opportunity to tackle scripts, storyboards, and working closely with the production house. I also had the privilege of going on set in Malaysia for the actual shoot.

During the process of making this campaign, we had a script that the team really felt for. Here's how it goes:

Our film opens on our hero boy, all excited as he looks up at a school notice board with the list of cast for a school play. Amongst the different Frozen-inspired roles, he sees that he’s going to be a Tree No. 4, and his face drops in disappointment.

We cut to a practice for the Frozen-inspired school play, on a group of four kids dressed as trees at the back of a stage. As his friends sway in sync, our hero boy stands completely still, distracted by something in the distance. From a different angle, we reveal that he’s mesmerised and transfixed on the lead girl in a light blue Frozen-inspired dress.

Over the next few days, we see our hero boy in his tree costume, now incredibly determined and eager to get to practice – from hurrying his mother as she pays with GrabPay at a store; to rushing into the school hall with his Frozen backpack, sandwich in mouth and GrabFood bag in arms; to hurrying his father into a GrabCar ride to practice.

In the backseat of the GrabCar, we see our hero boy engrossed on his phone as he watches the Frozen II trailer for the millionth time. We zoom into the boy’s phone, on the trailer – full-screen. The trailer’s edit ends on a distinctive scene of Elsa, and we match cut to our lead girl, striking a similar pose at practice. As before, we see our hero boy standing shyly in the background, mesmerised by the lead girl as he mouths along to her every line.

Finally, we come to the day of the play. We see Mum and Dad taking their seats in the school hall along with other parents, before the play starts. The curtains draw open, and the children quickly get into their positions on stage.

The lights dim, and a spotlight shines on the lead girl as she steps up to the front of stage. But seeing the crowd before her, she is suddenly overwhelmed with stage fright and unable to begin the opening song. As she stands frozen with anxiety, the kids look at one another with worry.

Then to everyone’s surprise, a little voice starts singing. It’s our hero boy, plucking up his courage to sing the opening song instead. The lead girl turns around and notices him for the first time, visibly touched by his intervention.

But… our hero boy doesn’t even notice her now – unexpectedly, he unzips his tree costume to reveal a heroic light blue suit underneath. His little voice becomes bold and loud, as he bravely steps forward into the spotlight.

We cut to Mum and Dad in the crowd, shocked at this unexpected turn of events. But Mum quickly melts with pride, and nudges her still-surprised husband in her excitement.

We end on Mum and Dad’s point of view – as the camera slowly pulls in towards our hero centrestage, and owning the lead role.

SUPER: Dare to live your dreams.
Grab
Catch Disney’s Frozen 2 in cinemas now.

In a reprise, we see the audience applauding at the end of the play. Mum and Dad are on their feet with a dramatic, emotional Dad shedding tears of pride. Our hero boy graciously calls out to the lead girl to share the applause, and together, they take a bow.

Client Grab, Disney Film Production Passion Pictures
Agency 72andSunny Singapore Director Brandon Loh
Creative Director Daniel Ko Photography Wala Wala Pictures
Junior Writer and Art Director Ang Peng Da

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