Photos courtesy of Vian Esterhuizen & Kaitlin Moerman
We had been working together with UK based musical artist Ren on some other projects when they approached us to produce the campaign launch for the SICKBOI clothing line, a new pet project and their first foray into fashion. They had ran into some logistical issues in the UK and decided they’d like to shoot it in Canada while they were out that way.
They approached us with a really interest concept: instead of a traditional campaign we’d create a pilot episode of a sci-fi narrative, where each subsequent product drop would advance the story.
Ramble was to be their full-service production partner, from concept development through final post production and special effects.
Case Study:
Ramble Films X SICK BOI Clothing Brand Launch
Tight budget. Tight Timeline. Huge concept. Everything needed to be shot within one month. We needed to create a fully built out post apocalyptic underground world. All the storyboards, shotlists, location, schedules, prop builds, lighting diagrams, casting, set designs, costumes, crew, everything. Okayyyyy let’s goooo!
Our Approach.
We focused on smart, creative solutions over expensive ones. We developed a clear vintage sci-fi aesthetic in pre-production to guide every decision. Instead of a large crew, our core team managed the entire process, from building the sets and custom props—like a functional "human vacuum bag" crafted from practical materials—to directing and shooting the film.
It was a huuuge investment from our very small team and we’re incredibly grateful and thankful to every last one of them.
This hands-on approach allowed for agile creative decisions and ensured every dollar made it to the screen.
Transforming the world’s dustiest warehouse into a post apocalyptic underground world.
The only suitable location we could find with our tight timeline, small team and tight budget turned out to be the world’s dustiest warehouse. It took an insane amount of work to transform it into what we needed, but we got there in the end.
The Results.
The pilot was a resounding success. It premiered to Ren's highly engaged audience, garnering over 400,000 views and significant positive conversation.
Most importantly, it directly drove commerce: the entire SICKBOI inventory sold out within 24 hours of the film's launch.
Ren and his team were completely blown away with the work we put into it, as it massively exceeded their expectations, and helped to established a powerful and sustainable creative framework for the brand's future. None of this would have been possible without our amazing team of good kids, hard workers.
Watch Sick Boi Episode 1: The Flame of Prometheus →
In 2084, elites rule a ravaged world, clinging to hope from a mysterious prophecy. A young woman immune to a deadly illness may hold the key to a cure, sparking questions of survival and redemption.
Credits
Concept: Ren, Josh Stiles & Brigita Grubliauskyte
Production Company: Ramble Films
Executive Producers: Ren, Josh Stiles, Kaitlin Moerman, Sean Edwards, James Barry & Ryan Leason
Creative Directors: Ren, Josh Stiles, Brigita Grubliauskyte, James Barry, Ryan Leason & Sean Edwards
Music : Ren
Script: Ren - voiced by kit
Art Director: James Barry Producer: Kaitlin Moerman
Directors: Ren & Sean Edwards
Director of Photography: Shae Paterson
Talent
Pandora: Brigita Grubliauskyte
Prisoners: Vian Esterhuizen, Richie Stang, Sean Paul Grande, Laura Bardsley, Fernando Garcia Reyes, Serena Perczyk, Lucie Juratic, Gbohunmi, Summer Pannozzo & David MacDonald
Guards: Conrad Jean & Niki Middleton
Elite: Niki Middleton & Dale Roth
Doctors: Dale Roth & Nigel Gascon
Decontamination Specialists: David MacDonald & Karl Bareham
1st AD: Ryan Leason
2nd AD: Kaitlin Moerman
1st AC: Krystin Prueller
Stills Photographers: Josh Stiles, Sean Edwards & Ryan Leason
BTS Video: Allan Hazle & Josh Stiles
BTS Stills Photographers: Josh Stiles, Sean Edwards, Ryan Leason & Vian Esterhuizen
Gaffer & DIT: Nathan Rogers
Key Grip: Bailey Thalheimer
Swing: Seth “Ratboy” Rasporich & Aiden James
Production Designer: James Barry
Storyboard Artist: Iñaki Azpiazu
Prop Master: Katie Lavoie
Set Dresser: Kayla Macneill
Set Construction: James Barry, Sean Edwards, Ryan Leason, Allan Hazle, Seth “Ratboy” Rasporich, Aiden James, Gbohunmi & Aram Lane
Sick Boi Clothing Designer: Brigita Grubliauskyte
Costume Designer: Erin Godden
Hair & Makeup Artist: Bryan Francisco
Hair & Makeup Assistants: Rayshel Ludwar & Anabelle Goyette
Art Assistant: Allan Hazle & Seth “Ratboy” Rasporich
Production Assistants: Gbohunmi, Karl Bareham, Jasmine Leason & Aram Lane
Sound Design: Sean Edwards & James Barry
Editors: Sean Edwards, James Barry & Ryan Leason
Colour: Artjail Colourist: Clinton Homuth
Colour Assistant: Austin Tang
Colour Producer: Alison Maxwell
VFX Supervision, VFX & Title Design: James Barry
BTS Video Edit & Colour Grade: Ryan Leason
A special thank you goes out to Mark and Chris at MPR Inc., Shae Paterson, Bailey Thalheimer, Tom Nugent and Michael Issakidis for equipment and location rentals and support, and to CSIF for sharing the call for submission to work with Ren and his team.