SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – Muy Caliente, the first “Mexican telenovela” produced by WWF-Brasil in partnership with AlmapBBDO, uses offbeat humor to alert people about how climate change is damaging the planet and the life to which it is home. The first of the series’ three episodes is already available on WWF-Brasil’s social media. In addition to raising awareness, the initiative is meant to spur donations to help the organization conserve marine life.
Miguel and Elena are the perfect couple — the classic story, love at first sight. But Miguel is a fisherman, and with the oceans warming, he has to travel farther and farther to find fish. He goes so far, in fact, that he disappears. Heartbroken, Elena seeks comfort in the arms of Ernesto, Miguel’s best friend. But just as the couple seems to have found happiness again, Miguel returns from his long voyage.
It could easily be the plot of a Mexican telenovela. But it’s happening in the real world with black-browed albatrosses, one of the most faithful species in the animal world. Animals known for relationships that can last over 50 years are getting “divorced” for the first time in history. And why? The climate crisis, which is warming the planet’s oceans and forcing albatrosses to fly longer and longer distances to find food. That means that couples may not be reunited in time for mating season, which triggers a search for new partners.
“Among our missions is to reduce the impact of climate change on marine socio-biodiversity, which includes preserving coral reefs, creating marine reserves, and working on the public policies that will be essential for the survival of marine ecosystems and for our future,” WWF Conservation Analyst and Leader of Oceans Marina Corrêa said, “Besides ‘Muy Caliente,’ WWF-Brasil has a variety of projects to protect the oceans.”
“The plot is based on classic Mexican telenovelas such as La Usurpadora, Llamas de la Pasión, and the other classics we all watched on SBT. At the same time, it’s an authentic depiction of the impacts of the climate crisis on ocean life,” AlmapBBDO Creative Copywriter Cake Llaguno said. “We got script supervision from a biologist, helping us craft a fun, moving, and playful narrative around the problems these animals have faced. All designed to inform and touch audiences who’ve been hearing nonstop about climate issues.”
The series was produced by Vetor Zero Lobo and directed by Gabriel Nóbrega, with audio, soundtrack, and sound design by PUNCH Audio.
When albatross couples divorce, that serves as a warning about the impact of climate change on marine socio-biodiversity. They’re not the only ones being directly affected by warming oceans – the phenomenon also leads to coral bleaching, which destroys habitats and triggers a domino effect, damaging 25% of marine biodiversity. And that’s not the least of it: coastal communities face more punishing storms, rising sea levels, and the loss of their ways of life, such as fishing and tourism. By protecting the oceans, we protect life – theirs and ours.
To support WWF-Brasil and help conserve marine species and protect the oceans, go to this website.
CREDITS
Agency: AlmapBBDO
Client: WWF-Brasil
Campaign: Muy Caliente – Telenovela
President and CEO: Filipe Bartholomeu
CCO: Pernil
Executive Creative Directors: Eduardo Lima, Fernando Duarte, Henrique Del Lama, Pedro Corbett, and Rodrigo Adam
Creatives: Cake Llaguno and Gus Souza
Special Projects: Julia Newman, Marília Alves, Júlia Cunha, and Pedro De Santi
AV Production: Diego Villas Boas, Marcia Granja
Production Company: Vetor Zero
Director: Gabriel Nobrega
Executive Producers: Francisco Puech and Lucas Romero
Director of Projects: Márcia Guimarães
Director of New Business: Luiz Braga
Project Managers: Monica Andrade and Carolina Gorga
Assistant Director: Luah Fioli
Line Producer: Anderson Boscari
DP: Lucas René
Camera Operator / Motion Control / Robotics: Renato Leitão
Production Designers: Lígia Jeon and Lídia Yogui
Props Master: Simone Pinheiro
Rigging: Nidin Sanches
Puppet Production: Alice Reily (Boca de Cena Produções)
Puppeteers: Gabriel Nobrega and Evelin Cristina
Gaffer: Ailton “Tutu” Hipólito
Making of: Chiquinho Marques and Nidin Sanches
Post-Production Supervisor: Tatiana Caparelli
Team Coordinators: Rosangela Gomes, Ana Mendes, and Nathaly Lopes
Editor: Lucas Mello, Pedro Falcone
Concept: Fernandinho Heynen, Wilson Panassi, Pedro Jones, Marcos Felix, and João Capoulade
Matte Painting: Ricardo Riamonde
Compositors: Carlos Campos, Rodrigo Vec
Rotoscope Artist: Gassan Abdouni
Color: Leticia Blanco
Finishing Editor: Lívia Portugal
Edit Assistants: Fábio Augusto, Isabela Balbo, and Marcos Tavares
Content Strategist: Mat Rodrigues
Audio Production: PUNCH AUDIO
Producer: Cristiano Pinheiro
Executive Producer: Lili D. Aragoni
Creative: Tony Berchmans
Client Services: Ale Pais and Gabi Takan
Head of Production Coordination: Cristiane Oliveira
Production Managers: Karina Coviello and Thaís Cris
Sound Mix & Mastering: Gustavo Guanaes, Ian Sierra, and Rodrigo Tuchê
Brazilian Voice Cast: Felipe Grinnan, Fernanda Baronne, and Ricardo Schnetzer
Mexican Voice Cast: Chucho Galarza, Cristina Tenório, and Luis Gastelum
Mexican Telenovela Narrator: Ricardo Estrada
Approval: Mariana Gutiérrez de Menezes
