VIDEO: Behind-the-scenes look at Harmony, Toyota's first commercial for the 2010 Prius
Posted May 13th 2009 8:25PM by Jeremy Korzeniewski
Click above to watch the video after the break
Earlier today, we got a brief description of Toyota's upcoming advertising campaign for the 2010 Prius hybrid, which is intended to promote "harmony between man, nature and machine." To turn this concept into reality, Toyota's first commercial from the campaign required a total of 200 extras, which, after a total of nine 12-hour days, were dressed up in a slew of different costumes and digitally made to look like over a million separate people.
Our friends over at Prius Chat were given access to a video from Toyota that offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at what went into producing this commercial. One interesting tidbit we learn about is how the hybrid's electric drive mode made it possible to move the car on the set while producing zero emissions. Want to watch for yourself? Click past the break for the video, which culminates in the final "Harmony" television spot.
[Source: Prius Chat]
Video:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark 9:13PM (5/13/2009)
Can someone tell me, will the 2010 Prius be a plug in? Or does Toyota have any plans for a plug-in Prius?
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Bill 11:02PM (5/13/2009)
No. Just check this link out:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/04/20/sae-2009-toyota-prius-and-plug-in-prius-update/
why not the LS2LS7? 1:51AM (5/14/2009)
There are plans for a plug-in Prius. Fleets will be able to try them out in 2010.
However, the plug-in Prius will have virtually no all-EV range due to being a parallel hybrid. Even what it does have only will work at 25 mph or something like that.
Chris M 3:25PM (5/14/2009)
Toyota is planning limited commercial fleet testing in 2010, and if all goes well, will offer it to the general public in 2011 or 2012.
Designing it as a plug-in hybrid, Toyota changed the gearing ratio of the power split, and increased the maximum RPMs and power on the motor/generators to allow EV only speeds up to 62 mph and 15 miles. Granted, that isn't as great as the GM Volt, but it will come in at a much lower price point.
Jason S 9:06PM (5/13/2009)
That song is going to be in my head for days!!
Pretty cool how they were able to drive the car into the building. I wonder if Weta Digital was involved in the making of this commercial?
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Jason 10:40PM (5/13/2009)
The 2010 Prius is advertised to get 50mpg highway but there will be no plug to recharge the batteries. Toyota is testing a Plug-in Prius with NiMH batteries that is averaging 10-12 mile EV range, though the consumer version will likely use lithium chemistry. Toyota has been hush about the details of when plug-in capability will be added to the Prius, however my guess is that it won't happen before 2015. If you want a plug in Prius you best bet would be to have a third party company convert it. In Petaluma for instance Plug-In Supply will convert a Prius for less then $9000 with lithium ion batteries.
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tinman 12:22AM (5/14/2009)
If this has a switch to all electric propulsion in it which I think it does would it not be easier to monster car garage into a phev? Many questions there and wondering if it could go over 35 mph under electric power after doing so.
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Tohe 9:34AM (5/14/2009)
The EV on the Prius is electronically limited. I've seen conversion from calcars.org where they hack the computer to improve the performance and max speed of the electric motor.
Vítor Tavares 2:00PM (5/17/2009)
Excelent concept, excelent work.
From Portugal
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Thanh T. 8:29AM (5/14/2009)
Toyota and Honda will be interesting to study in coming years with their special approaches to improving eco-friendly alternative fuel cells and revolutionizing hybrid technologies.
Very cool commercial-marketing ads for Toyota’s new 2010 Prius.
Toyota’s 2010 Prius is powered by a gas/electric motor rated at 50 (Est) MPG range and the cost of the vehicle is around $22,000 to $27,000.
Honda’s new FCX Clarity Hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles also look like a great product for eco-conscious drivers. (vehicle is currently under testing)
However, Honda’s new FCX Clarity is only offered in a limited three year lease term and mainly focused around the Southern California region for the time being. The cost ($600 x 36 month lease = $21,000).
Not sure if insurance companies will offer special rates for drivers who purchase these types of eco-smart/friendly vehicles.
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andrichrose 11:07AM (5/14/2009)
No plug , No sale ! however catchy the tune might be !
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Gary 11:27AM (5/14/2009)
The commercial makes me want to throw up. Too cutesy.
I revel in the sight of all the people falling to their death from 0:07 to 0:10.
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Chris M 3:29PM (5/14/2009)
I saw that dazzling commercial last night on TV, it is one of those you'd have to see several times to get all the nuances.
At first, I thought it was a commercial for the Honda Insight (Honda has some great commercials, too), until the end when it unmistakably announced "Prius". Hey, they do look a lot alike!
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Simon Schäfer 2:04PM (5/22/2009)
Major Rip off.
Makes me quite angry.
Astrid Rieger's apple on a Tree. (2006)
http://www.astridrieger.de/apple.html
watch it and then think again about that soooo original idea they had.
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Nicole Venning 10:07AM (5/23/2009)
I just love this commerical....its great....I'm considering buying a Toyota, my mother just bought a Toyota Highlander and I really want one now too....
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Matthew Imbler 4:10PM (5/29/2009)
Anyone know who did the voice-over on the new Prius commercial?
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Linda 12:16PM (6/16/2009)
That voice-over is taunting me, too -- glad to hear someone else is questioning it!! I can usually figure out who it is right away. I'm thinking that maybe this is Mark Harmon (which would conveniently tie in with the "Harmony" theme, I guess); but my husband, the NCIS fan, says no. Do you have any ideas?
flipstudio 11:42PM (6/18/2009)
i'm pretty sure it's george newbern, the guy who played the daughter's fiancé in the steve martin movie "father of the bride"
Staticlynx 9:05PM (7/15/2009)
Sorry Flipstudio, you are close but wrong. It is actually Sephiroth who did the voice. It was an odd choice for him as protecting the planet is not really his thing.
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