Commercial Campaign for ColaCao Crispy Rocks: Product Styling and Set Effects
When the advertising agency BBDO invited Alfonso Acedo and me to be part of the visual launch for ColaCao Crispy Rocks, the assignment came with a major technical challenge. The goal was to create high-energy, dynamic imagery where the product appeared to “fly” around the packaging, all while maintaining the exact texture, volume, and natural imperfections of the real snack.
As a Home Economist and Product Stylist, my work on this project began long before setting foot on stage. To ensure everything ran smoothly during the shoot without wasting a single minute of lighting time, I designed a strategy at home to manufacture hero prop replicas capable of withstanding studio heat and continuous camera cuts.
Here is the step-by-step process, from the initial tests in my kitchen to the final result on set:
1. Product Analysis and Research
The process started well before turning on the studio lights. First, I gathered samples of the new ColaCao product to analyze them inside and out. I needed a thorough understanding of the crunchy core’s density, the irregularity of its shapes, and how the chocolate coating covered every ridge so I could replicate it with absolute volumetric precision.
2. Testing and Material Selection
The main challenge was finding a base material that could mimic the interior of the Crispy Rock while meeting very specific criteria:
- Food-Safe / Edible: Since some of the rocks would be displayed cut open, the base had to be strictly edible.
- Cutting Resistance: It couldn’t crumble or break when carved into irregular shapes.
- Consistency: Materials that were too soft were immediately discarded.
I sourced and tested various food-grade options on the market. At home, I evaluated how different maleable food products reacted with warm chocolate coating to ensure they held the outer layer without altering its finish. Ultimately, I selected the options that yielded the best results.
3. Chocolate Coating Tests
Once the best base materials for carving were chosen, I conducted the first chocolate dipping tests. It was crucial to assess how the warm chocolate behaved over the surface and to confirm that, once set, it could be trimmed and polished with precision without cracking or damaging the core.
4. Crafting the Hero Props
After presenting the test results and receiving approval from both the client and the agency, prop production began in my workshop. I sculpted and individually dipped the rocks destined for the set.
To ensure the chocolate suffered no scratches or marks during drying and transport, I used floral foam blocks as support structures: each Crispy Rock was prepared on a pin and mounted independently to prevent them from touching.
On-Set Execution: Synergy, Lighting, and Practical Effects
Co-creating Still Lifes with Alfonso Acedo
The impact of a commercial food campaign always relies on the fine-tuned synergy between the stylist and the photographer. On set, Alfonso Acedo and I worked hand in hand constructing the compositions.
While I organized the artful mess of scattered powders, textures, and prop arrangements, Alfonso sculpted the volumes, chocolate glints, and shadows with flawless lighting. That blend of dimension and light sensitivity is what makes a product pop off the screen.
Live Practical Effects vs. Suspended Elements
To achieve the campaign’s final look, we strategically combined post-production techniques with practical on-set effects:
- Suspended Elements: All the Crispy Rocks “flying” around the pouch were shot individually on set to build the dynamic digital composite later.
- The Packaging Cascade (Live Effect): In contrast, the product cascade flowing smoothly from the pouch was executed 100% live on camera. Controlling the visual flow, density, and drop speed in a real-time take requires the split-second precision that only comes with extensive stage experience.
Additionally, I shared the set in close coordination with drink specialist Oscar Lobato, who handled the beverage styling to achieve the perfect bubbles in the ColaCao cup.
Project Specifications
- Client / Brand: ColaCao
- Agency: BBDO
- Photography: Alfonso Acedo
- Home Economist & Product Stylist: Olga Vila
- Beverage Home Economist: Oscar Lobato
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Product Styling (FAQ)
Why is it necessary to fabricate hero prop replicas for a food commercial? Real commercial food products can be unpredictable under studio lighting or when precise shapes are required for hero shots. Creating custom, food-safe replicas allows us to control the exact size, cut, and chocolate coverage needed for complex compositions without losing structural integrity during long shooting sessions.
How do live practical effects compare to digital composites in food photography? While digital composites allow for floating elements and complex arrangements, live practical effects—like a pouring cascade—capture authentic motion dynamics, natural light refractions, and fluid interactions that are extremely difficult to replicate digitally. Combining both techniques delivers the most convincing and high-impact result.
