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Credits:
Quest for Excellence
Tom Johnson
Inspired by British Pathé films and old adverts, director Tom Johnson set out to create a film for M Le magazine du Monde that felt authentically of another time, with a subtle sense of humour running throughout.
Working closely with Tom, our team at IMAGINE helped shape the story through edit, sound and grade. We spent time exploring internet archives, studying the details that gave these films their character and finding ways to bring that same sensibility into the project.
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Finding the right soundtrack became something of an obsession. Hours spent trawling through archival recordings, searching for music that felt convincingly of its time.
The narration received similar attention. From developing the script to experimenting with different voices, we combined analogue and digital techniques to give the final recording the warmth and character of a bygone broadcast.
A woman balances playfully atop a stationary exercise bike, one foot planted on the seat while the other leg lifts behind her. She leans forward gripping the handlebars, creating a dynamic, sculptural pose. Dressed in a bold red top with crisp white accents and black shoes, her expression is focused, blending elegance, humor, and controlled tension against a clean backdrop.
And then there was the sound design. Taking cues from early Disney animation, we introduced subtle, playful effects that brought out the film’s underlying humour without tipping it into outright parody.
Bespoke titles added a playful nod to the past, while a bright, warm grade helped bring out the humour and give the film its light-hearted feel. Every detail considered, right down to the occasional boing.
An assortment of influences, from early animation to archival recordings. A glimpse into the research behind the film.