Katie Schide and Germain Grangier, an ultra-athlete couple who describe themselves as “mountain athletes, outdoors lovers, and alpine stewards,” gladly accept mountain challenges, as they are “made for adventure.” Even in the year when most events were canceled because of the pandemic, the duo kept doing what they love most: climbing, hiking, and running.

In a campaign produced by On, the team’s greatest adventure to date was captured in an incredible film, courtesy of Studio AKA. The four-minute-long video follows the adventures of the duo in their mission to conquer European famous summits, whilst showing how determined the two are to succeed. They climbed, hiked, and ran from Cervinia, Italy, to Chamonix, France.

The heroic expedition is captured in a mix of film and animation, from a new French, but London-based talent animation director called Manddy Wyckens, with additional footage shot by the couple themselves during their quest on “Taming Giants.”

This is the Swiss sportswear company’s first animated production, telling that one has to respect nature in order to succeed. The mountains themselves are depicted as giants doubtfully watching over those who dare to enter their kingdom. However, the creatures drop their guard when they see the couple’s friendly behavior towards the mountains and so, they become friends.

“This has become the ultimate adventure, resulting in a mammoth achievement by two of the most determined ultra-athletes in the world,” says Feliciano Robayna, Head of Sports Marketing, On. “Katie and Germain have a deep respect and understanding of mountain landscapes, having both studied geology, and the nature that surrounds them. The time devoted to preparing and planning their journey shows the enduring commitment they have towards accomplishing each project with extreme efficiency. We have commissioned a creative adaptation of their story into our own version of events through imaginative animation — our first production of its kind.  ‘Taming Giants’ is also a film about two talented and competitive athletes, doing what they do best, challenging themselves and pushing their ability to the absolute limits.”

The animation draws inspiration from the graphic style of the 1920’s travel posters. “We took a live-action mountaineering challenge and reinterpreted it by adding magical elements to translate the danger, hardships, and the immense forces of nature at play,” says Manddy Wyckens, animation director. “To do so, we created a very minimal design, a palette in shades of blue, and an immense landscape to immerse the viewer within the mountain’s atmosphere.”

“With most of the events canceled this year, this project was a good opportunity to go back to the roots of what we love most: Spending long days moving through the mountains,” concludes Katie. To learn more about the story of the two athletes and how their adventure in the Alps unfolded check out the video below or read more on the brand’s website.

Credits:

Client: On

Studio: Studio AKA

Animation Director: Manddy Wyckens

Featuring: Katie Schide & Germain Grangier