The new Papa Johns rebrand film is a love letter for pizza enthusiasts all around the UK, a kaleidoscope of cheesy saucy goodness. Centered around its pizza-obsessed consumers and the brands own commitment to better pizza and superior ingredients, we are delighted to share with you the “DEVOTED TO THE DOUGH” TVC.
The brilliant creative chefs behind the new campaign cooked this one to perfection, deserving of a Michelin star or too. The film was brought to life using various mixed media techniques like cutouts, photography, 2D animation, AI generated assets and glorious food shots. All of that came together in a collage of bombastic colours and flavours. Weaving between delicious live action ingredients and animation which brings playful, vibrant and fun energy to the piece.
Director, Ahmet Iltas shared his experiences working on the project “Making the Papa John’s film was an incredibly exciting experience for me. The creative challenge of bringing together the idea of pizza obsession and PJ’s DEVOTED TO THE DOUGH across various media and visual styles kept things fresh and dynamic throughout the process. From intricate close-ups of the product to quirky moments that introduced relatable humor and personality, it was about finding a balance between the love of pizza and making something that would grab attention in today’s fast-paced, content-saturated world.
The mixed-media approach allowed us to explore multiple layers of storytelling playfully, merging real footage with illustrative elements and graphic transitions. This kept the visuals both engaging and unpredictable, which was something I really wanted to achieve from the start. It’s always fun to experiment with different mediums and see how far we can push the boundaries while still staying true to the brand’s identity.”
Ahmet adds “By combining traditional live-action footage with AI-generated elements, design, and animation, we were able to create something truly innovative. The result is a next-generation mixed media film that feels fresh and forward-thinking. It’s also a reflection of where modern storytelling can go while keeping the essence of the brand intact.”
Milana Karaica, Executive Producer, adds – “Being a part of such a big rebrand is a huge responsibility! Having said that with our collaborative agency and trusting brand partners, this project was still such a fun and dynamic production from start to finish. This approach also allowed us to make something that looks and feels fresh. We ended up with a film we are excited to share, that really speaks to the tastes and attention spans of our audience.”
And if the delectable imagery and whimsical animation weren’t enough to win you over, the film also features a catchy tune that will be imprinted into your head for the foreseeable.
Papa Johns DTTD credit list:
Agency – Bicycle
ECD: Graeme Douglas
Creative director: Leigh Gilbert
Creative director: Scott Andrews
Business director: Rosie Bloxham
Senior account executive: Izzy Nott
Senior producer: Bethany Easton
Production Company: NERD Productions
Director: Ahmet Iltas
Executive producer: Milana Karaica
Producer: Phil Burgess
Director of Photography: Simon Paul
Lead animator and head of compositing: Selahattin Iltas
Art director: Saeed Noroozi
Food stylist: Kostas Stavrinos
Colourist: Danny Atkinson
Music: Resister Music
Audio record & mix: Page Not Found
