Nonkels
The one where we made a wedding cake crumbling under the weight of the characters' relationships. Mmhh, deliciously delicate.
Client
Play Media / Woestijnvis
Team
Mike Bral
Art Direction
Studio seQ
CGI
Keywords
TV Show
Broadcast & Streaming
Character Design
Is it cake or fake?
Nonkels is a Belgian comedy series broadcast on national television and streaming services. Going into their second season, a key visual was needed that would immediately indicate the ongoing relationship problems of the main characters, while still keeping the lightheartedness of the show.
The challenge
Transforming the characters into porcelain puppets, making sure they would remain recognisable, whiile also getting the facial expressions correct so that there would be an emotional connection.
The solution
Custom 3D scans of the characters were provided by Zen3D and while they proved to be a great starting point, they did not in themselves hold all the features which make a recognisable porcelain puppet. So they were given a complete overhaul through manual sculpting, achieving the desired painterly style.
"The level of detail and character fidelity achieved in this visual has me coming back to it time and time again.
No wonder we won Gold at the GEMA Award!"
Mike Bral
Art Director @ Play Media — 2025
The process 01
Creative direction
Having your cake and eating it too.
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The process 02
World-building
Is it cake or fake?
The basis for all characters' procelain puppets to stand on is a beautifully ornate, three-tiered wedding cake. It's crumbling under the pressure the different relationships experience and the secrets being kept from each other. As it opens up, the crumbly inside is revealed — so soft and delicate it would make Marry Berry proud.
The futher environment is worked out realistically and subtly, allowing for full attention to the subject matter. The soft lighting fills the room and conveys a feeling of safety — inviting the viewer to come and maybe have a slice. It looks so realistic it might as well be a contestant in a Cake Or Fake competition. Just don't take a knife to your screen now, it's not covered by any warranty.
The process 03
Adding the *magic*
Procelain or foreign skin?
When crafting life-like puppets with human characteristics it can be easy to end up in "uncanny valley" territory. It's when CGI humans are recognisably human, yet something is off. So the goal is to not go too realistic with how the characters look and look at how these porcelain puppets get their characteristic look. Especially the eyes are treated in a unique way which we replicated in this visual.
The porcelain puppet is of course one object, so the clothing is attached and to differentiate is painted according to the show's characters' outfits.
A crackle pattern so unique to porcelain was added as a final touch to create the recognisable look.
The results
Well, the visual landed with a punch. But not the kind you hope to avoid at your wedding feast. You know, by that one uncle who tends to have too many 'alchohol & beers'. Nah, this is the kind of punch we'll gladly experience.
At the Global Entertainment Marekting Academy of Arts & Science Awards 2025 the visual was awarded GOOOOOOOLD in the category of Key Arts: Cast/Character Poster.
To receive this kind of recognition for the entire team and client is truly an honour.
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