A good old-fashioned train wreck can be just the thing to switch from live action into animation–in this case a charming stop motion look at what it’s like from the poor train’s POV. This playful twist for a recent AT&T ad has each car in the freight train’s line playing a different character, creating a colorful, storybook feel.

The switch to animation is the crux to backing up the commercial’s concept: selling universal coverage plans based on the different kinds of movies people might view with them. HouseSpecial studios out of Portland adeptly handles the stop motion portion of the piece. Being able to see live action become animated really highlights how much more personality and interest you can give inanimate objects—and even the humans, with animation. Or, at least with well-handled animation. Well done guys!