Lisbon Turns Magical with a White Christmas for El Corte Inglés

A little boy, like many children round the world, believes his father can do magic in this new spot for El Corte Inglés: The father switches the city’s lights with a snap of the fingers, snow falls at his command...

Magic, perhaps not... but definitely an impressive feat. The snow came from blowers, the fog from machines, the boy had two body doubles, the city lights were hung up by the crew, the umbrella flew through the air thanks to a fishing line. Add to that cylindrical diffusers, glow screens, Easy Rig, a Rickshaw dolly, a Fisher dolly, Kino Flos, cranes, jibs, and tracks and you've got one heck of a production.

Director Gabriel Ibáñez - who shot Automata with Antonio Banderas - inspired the whole team to reach for the stars. Originally a 3D visual artist, he understands that special effects and equipment have but one purpose: to create emotions. He took care of the human factor, while Production Portugal delivered the mechanics.

Lisbon was chosen for the charm and variety of locations, ease of access, climate and flexible child work rules. Most of the shoot took place after dark for additional atmosphere, right in the busy city centre.

The handling of locations was crucial to working on the three-day schedule: one location manager together with four assistants kept extra locations at hand should one not work out, while two different crews prepped and wrapped locations (the magical snow did not melt away by itself!). One unforeseen issue did present itself - passers-by crowded around the shoot for a rare treat. A white Christmas in Lisbon.