The Big Freeze | Marina Market Cork

We were invited to contribute a new story-driven element within the Ice Cave, a key point along the visitor journey. Our brief was centred on creating and delivering the full creative content package for this section, including projection, audio and a brand-new character who would interact with visitors and guide them forward. The result was Walt, a Cork-accented snowman whose warmth, humour and personality quickly made him one of the highlights of the experience.

Bringing Walt to Life.

Walt was created as a character who could speak directly to Cork audiences with familiarity and charm. We shaped him from the ground up, designing his look, expressions and physical mannerisms to make him immediately approachable. His personality blends warmth and playfulness, giving him the tone of a friendly local guiding visitors along their journey.

A Cork accent became a defining feature of his identity. It gave Walt a sense of belonging, as though he were part of the market community rather than an imported character.

Animation was an essential step in making Walt feel physically present in the Ice Cave. Our team, with the help of Max at Moonlens Cork, developed a full animation sequence that allowed him to move, react and interact with visitors in a way that felt expressive rather than mechanical. Small details mattered. The way Walt tilts his head, blinks, gestures or leans forward all contributed to his personality.

Movement was timed to match visitor flow so that Walt could welcome guests, hold their attention and then guide them onward at exactly the right moment. Through a combination of animation and projection, Walt became a living part of the world rather than a static visual element.

Scripting and Story Development.

To complete Walt’s character, we wrote a story and script that gave him purpose within the experience. His role in the Ice Cave is simple but important: he greets families, builds anticipation and then counts them down into Santa’s Village.

The script was written with a clear sense of Cork humour and friendliness. We kept the language warm, accessible and full of small local touches that made visitors feel seen and welcomed. This narrative layer helped the Ice Cave feel like a pause in the journey, not just a physical transition, but a moment of storytelling.

Audio Direction.

Audio played a crucial part in shaping the atmosphere. We directed and created the full sound environment, from the ambient layers to the vocal cues that supported Walt’s performance.

Walt’s voice recording was delivered in a natural, conversational tone that felt at home in Cork. His dialogue was mixed carefully to sit comfortably within the space so that visitors could hear him clearly without losing the subtle environmental textures around him. By blending character audio with sound design, we created a cohesive audio piece that tied the entire scene together.

Art Direction and Visual Style.

While the physical set of the Ice Cave was designed by the TS Events team, our role was to define the creative layer that would sit within it. We developed a visual style that complemented the icy environment without overpowering it, using subtle movement, textures and cool tonal palettes to reinforce the sense of stepping into a frozen world.

We focused on projection elements that supported the mood of the space and framed Walt in a way that felt natural and grounded. The aim was to give the audience the impression that this frosty pocket of the market had its own personality and its own rhythm.

A New Creative Development for Cork

The Ice Cave and Walt represent a meaningful creative moment for Santa’s Magical Market and for Cork itself. This was the first time the event introduced a character-led digital installation designed specifically for local audiences. Visitors responded immediately, pausing to chat to Walt and enjoy the small moment of connection he creates.

For us, this project showcases our capability not just as a technical partner but as a creative one, delivering story, character, animation, projection and audio that work together to build a memorable experience.

Walt stands as a reminder that immersive storytelling doesn’t always need grand scale. Sometimes it just needs personality, craft and a snowman with a Cork accent guiding families into a Christmas wonderland.