The famous three letters “GSe” are back. And how! The launch video of the Opel Astra GSe alone has collected almost two million views on YouTube – more than any unveiling video of the traditional Rüsselsheim brand. The social media community also celebrates the Opel Grandland GSe, the high-performance SUV with 221 kW/300 hp, with comments such as “Awesome Opel!” Whether an immersion flight through the interior in the studio, spectacular serpentine rides in the Kaunertal or a sprint at the Lausitzring – the captured images range somewhere between breathtaking and “The Hammer!”
“For the return of the famous three letters,” says Nadine Ries from the Opel Social Media team, “it just had to be a special video.” From the creative concept to production and dynamic editing – Opel has social media when it comes to implementation team relies on the support of the creative film workshop “Neuland”. “We have already realized several video projects together,” says Nadine Ries, “so there is a lot of trust.” And the enthusiasm that the pictures arouse is clear: “The Astra GSe video was not only clicked almost two million times . Almost all users – over 94 percent – watched it to the end.”
▲ September 2022, a studio in Düsseldorf. Front three-quarter view, back view. Every setting fits. With 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a dynamically designed front, lettering on the tailgate and performance seats, the GSe models make their point of view clear from a purely visual point of view. Pete Schilling, founder of the film creative forge “Neuland”, directs, orchestrates models, cameramen and indoor drone flights in the clean white setting.
▲ April 2022, crisp minus degrees, glorious weather: on the specially closed Kaunertal Glacier Road up to 2,750 meters, the 10 millimeter lower chassis of the Astra GSe shows how it defines directional stability. Steering, suspension and brakes respond immediately and directly to any command from the driver. The “Neuland” film crew headed by director Pete Schilling (bottom right, together with Philipp Quanz, Group Manager Social Media at Opel) throws everything into it. Schilling: “There are few car brands that are currently so bold in their marketing. We are very proud to be an Opel partner.”
“The Astra GSe video was not only clicked almost two million times. Almost all users watched it to the end.”
– Nadine Ries –
Opel Social Media Manager
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▲ Hello Road, Hi(gh)Energy! The Astra GSe video has so far attracted almost two million viewers.
▲ Maximum professionalism: Pilot Ferdinand Wolf (right) sends a drone into the sky. She wears a Black Magic camera, which captures the Grandland GSe’s cornering with extremely fast shots from above. To ensure that radio contact with the drone does not break off on the 26-kilometer Tyrolean glacier road, the pilot climbs into the escort vehicle on longer serpentine journeys. The image from the drone camera is transmitted directly to his video glasses, while he steers the flying object and is himself in motion. “That,” says Pete Schilling, “is a real job for specialists.” The equipment is also highly specialized: The “RC Camera Car”, an all-terrain, remote-controlled unit on four wheels, drives at speeds of up to 85 km/h.
January 2023
Photos: Christoph Adam, Opel