Tendril was called upon to create a film for Shopify’s 2019 Summit. The event was all about thinking big, sharing ideas and connecting Shopify employees across the globe under a shared vision.
We open in a grey world on a seemingly disconcerted individual. A magical dash flies from his computer and a little humanoid “shopifolk” emerges from the keyboard, chasing the dash. Several vignettes are shown of mini-shopifolk emerging from various scenes, joining in the mission to follow this mysterious dash. Reaching our destination, the dash is revealed to be a key, unlocking colour and possibility. Each opening scene is revealed to be a merchant in one of the cities that represent the 5 cities of the Summit.
Our goal was create a fun, upbeat film that tells a story of togetherness and inclusivity for the audience, ultimately setting the tone for the event.
We LOVE creating characters and had so much fun exploring little humanoid variations. Beep boop.
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0001_SHOP_020_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_Summit_GIF_2.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0003_SHOP_050_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0003_SHOP_050_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0005_SHOP_070_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_Summit_GIF_4.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0006_SHOP_080_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_Summit_GIF_3.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0007_SHOP_090_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0008_SHOP_095_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0009_SHOP_100_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_Summit_GIF_7.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0010_SHOP_110_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0015_SHOP_180_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0017_SHOP_200_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0011_SHOP_140_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_Summit_GIF_8.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Shopify_stills_resized_0012_SHOP_150_V001.png-1800x1013.jpg)
Process
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/char-design-2.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/char-design-3.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/shopifySummit_character_v03-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/shopifySummit_character_v04_v02-1-1800x1013.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/RunCycleC.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/RunCycleB.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/RunCycleA.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/04-2.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/05_A-1.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/11-2.jpg)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/SH_070_blockingtoAnim.gif)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TokyoSkyline_02-1800x1013.png)
![](https://tendril.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/TorontoSkyline_01-1800x1013.png)
Credits
Client:
Shopify
Shopify Producer:
Ajay Chauhan
Shopify Creative Direction:
Ajay Chauhan
Shopify Visual Direction:
Mandira Midha, Chris Langer
Tendril Creative Director:
Alex Torres
Executive Producer:
Kate Bate
Director:
Daniel Pommella
Producer:
John Szebegyinszki
Coordinator:
Brittany Sheahan
Storyboards:
Daniel Pommella
Design:
Rodrigo Rezende, Runbo Chen,
Yeseong Kim, Daniel Pommella,
Samuel Bohn
Head of 3D:
Ben Pilgrim
3D Modelling:
Rodrigo Rezende, Runbo Chen,
Samuel Bohn, Flavio Diniz,
Eric Macedo
Rigging:
Tyrel Scott
3D Animation:
Will Sharkey, Charline Parisot,
Chris Mayne, Tyrel Scott
Lookdev, Lighting and Render:
Alexandre Veaux
Audio:
Niko Hook