High-end 3D car animation and CGI urban environment for Nissan Pathfinder, deep space scene

Nissan Pathfinder - Beyond Boundaries

Client: Breathe
Brand: Nissan
Studio: Cinesco / Skymaker

Challenge
The agency wanted a bold campaign for the Nissan Pathfinder — a car designed for adventure and exploration. The director envisioned scenes in the jungle, in abstract worlds, and even in outer space. The catch? The production had only a few days of shooting and could not leave Mexico City.

Solution

We knew traditional production wasn’t possible under these constraints. Instead, we leaned heavily on VFX-driven environments to bring the director’s vision to life:

  • Designed and built full CG jungles, stylized landscapes, and surreal abstract worlds.
  • Created a cinematic space sequence, placing the Pathfinder in a striking, otherworldly setting.
  • Seamlessly integrated the real car footage with digital sets, making it nearly impossible to tell it was filmed on urban streets.

Instead of compromising, we turned this limitation into an opportunity. Our team proposed creating the entire commercial fully in 3D, with no live-action shooting at all. This gave us full creative freedom to design environments, moods, and visuals unrestricted by production logistics.

Before and After:

High-end 3D car animation and CGI urban environment for Nissan Pathfinder
High-end 3D car animation and CGI urban environment for Nissan Pathfinder
High-end 3D car animation and CGI urban environment for Nissan Pathfinder

Execution

  • Careful pre-planning and previs allowed us to maximize the limited shooting days.
  • Developed modular 3D environments that could quickly transform from one world to another.
  • Combined practical car shots with entirely digital backgrounds, giving the film both scale and flexibility.
High-end 3D car animation and CGI urban environment for Nissan Pathfinder

Nissan smart intelligent driving:

High-end 3D car animation and CGI urban environment for Nissan Pathfinder. Nissan Intelligent system

Outcome

The final spot delivered on the director’s ambitious vision, transporting the Nissan Pathfinder across jungles, surreal dreamscapes, and even outer space. Despite the production limitations, the campaign achieved a cinematic scale that made the car feel truly limitless — just like its brand promise.

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