Client: Dubai Expo
Agency: Artists In Motion
Role: Motion Design
Additional Credits: Mel Pragassen, Esther Chung, Matt White
Year: 2021

View the full case study on the Artists In Motion website

Click here to see the broadcast of the show on the Expo 2020 website

The Al Wasl dome, for Dubai Expo 2020 was an imposing sight, and an imposing canvas to work on.

Unlike many other shows in the dome, Mascots was a show created specifically for children. The dome projections helped to support the live action performance on the ground. I was tasked to create Mr. Scraps Rap, including the melodramatic performance of his 3D avatar; and also to create the destructive sequence where Mr. Scraps shoots explosive holes in the dome, unwittingly undermining his own plan.

One Villain,

Two young heroes named Rashid and Latifa,

Three guardians,

A giant laser gun,

And a spirited Ghaf tree…

And a really, really big projection dome – that gets blown up … or does it?

The serial villain, Mr Scraps, returns to Al Wasl Plaza in a bid to destroy all that Expo 2020 Dubai stands for. Thankfully, our two young heroes (Latifa and Rashid) find a way to foil his evil plans – but not before Mr Scraps reveals a secret weapon that nearly brings Al Wasl to its end! 

Thanks to the help of their beloved guardians, the presence of the spirited Salama and some sharp moves from Latifa and Rashid, the day is saved and peace is once again restored. 

Sounds like a whole lot of fun? Well that’s exactly what it was – according to the thousands of children who lined up to watch each evening under the magic of the dome. The show became an Al Wasl favourite amongst the little ones as well as the young at heart. 

The combination of a quick witted script and a high energy musical score, spiced up with an epic sound design, turned this unsuspecting children’s show into an Al Wasl gem.