Blow Away the Grey with Jaguar

This spot for the new Jaguar XE opens in a dark, vast, smoky industrial space and instantly sets the scene for a powerful audiovisual experience. The car is concealed under a blanket of grey rock, until a turbo fan transforms it into a frantic swirling galaxy of blitzed grey particles. The car is launched in an intriguing and beautifully abstract way by expressing our primal desire to break through from the ordinary.

This stunningly seductive commercial is the vision of Wanda director Ehsan B in collaboration with Spark 44. UNIT’s role was to bring the clients’ vision to reality, working across the areas of grade, audio design and visual effects.

UNIT Colourist Simon Astbury accentuates the contrast between the grey particles and the vividness of the car, seamlessly bringing the new Jaguar XE from the darkness into the light. He set the mood of the almost pitch black opening through to the breathtaking reveal using Baselight. The grade ensures that the film has the high impact and intensity required to exhibit the beautiful new Jaguar XE.

Head of 2D Martin Goodwin successfully built up and enhanced the atmospheric hanger to spotlight the high-speed reveal of the car from under the cloak of particles. The flame and nuke team effortlessly executed the finalising VFX work required from set extension to beauty work on the car.

The audio was designed by UNIT’s senior sound engineer Chris Southwell to construct an immersive and rich soundscape, creating a layered score with a rhythmical quality to mirror the striking visual story. Starting with a sterile environment, quickly building from an aggressive accelerating point to an idle stationary engine. Resulting in a use of engine sounds, wind tunnel and sound design detail to create the aerodynamic journey and atmosphere within the commercial.

Credits

Agency: Spark 44
Agency Producer: Corin Kiddy
Creative Director: Al Taylor
Production Company: Wanda London
Director: Ehsan B
Producer: Evonne O’Rourke

Unit credits

Grade: Simon Astbury
Audio: Chris Southwell
2D Lead: Martin Goodwin
Flame Assists: Emir Hasham, Richard Greenwood & Andrew Curtis
Nuke Assist: Mike Simon
Producer: Magda Krimitsou
Executive Producer: Emma Watterson