Imaginary Forces and ILM create opening credits for NBC’s “Primetime in Paris”

NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics included a unique opening sequence that combined cinematic imagery with an updated version of the iconic Olympic theme music.

The broadcaster commissioned creative studio Imaginary Forces to produce the opening credits for its Primetime in Paris broadcasts. The sequence was designed to capture the legacy and emotion of the Olympic Games while putting the host city front and center.

“For the first time ever, primetime Olympic coverage will begin with a thrilling title sequence that reflects the legacy of the Games, their emotion and the sheer virtuosity of athletic performance – all against the spectacular backdrop of Paris, the City of Lights,” said Tripp Dixon, SVP & Creative Director, and Joseph Lee, SVP, Creative Marketing, Sports and Entertainment, of NBC Sports.

Imaginary Forces creative director Alan Williams staged key scenes using ILM’s StageCraft technology at the Universal Lot in Los Angeles. The volumetric LED stage made it possible to film athletes in virtual Parisian environments without having to travel to France.

“It was clear to us that NBCUniversal wanted to create an opening sequence that captured that sense of grandeur,” Williams said.

ILM’s StageCraft volume allowed NBC to film over 50 athletes in simulated Paris locations, an approach that avoided the logistical challenges of getting athletes into France months before the Games.

“By using an ILM StageCraft volume and multiple simultaneously loaded high-resolution virtual Paris locations created by ILM’s visual effects team, we were able to produce an unprecedented amount of content,” said Ian Milham, ILM’s head of virtual production.

The virtual production technology offered athletes and directors a natural environment and delivered instant broadcast-quality images.

The titles integrated archival footage from the Olympics with shots of current athletes. Imaginary Forces adjusted the color correction of historical moments to visually connect the past and present.

NBC Sports also commissioned a reinterpretation of “Bugler’s Dream,” Leo Arnaud’s 1958 Olympic fanfare. John Williams incorporated the piece into his 1984 Olympic theme, which NBC has used since 1996.

For Paris 2024, music production company Evolving Sound and composer Jules Bromley have created a new arrangement. The updated version is intended to pay homage to the original while adding energy reminiscent of movie trailer soundtracks.

“When NBC Sports showed us the track, we were blown away,” Williams said.

The new opening credits and theme music arrangement set the tone for NBC’s primetime Olympics broadcasts. By mixing historic moments with current athletes and updating the familiar fanfare, NBC aims to honor the Olympic tradition while presenting the Paris Games in a new light.

The updated tracks and music received mixed reactions from audiences, with some praising the modern approach while others expressed nostalgia for the traditional Williams composition.

For imaginary forces

• Creative Director: Alan Williams
• ECD: Peter Frankfurt
• Live Action Producer/Executive Producer: Renée Robson
• Executive Producer: Tiffani Manabat
• Producer: Keith Bryant
• Lead Coordinator: Jake Fritz
• Artistic Director: Elizabeth Steinberg
• Designers/Animators: Anna Chen, Scott Bell, Nicole Dileo, Christoph Gabathuler, Nick Woythaler, Tom Allain, Juliana Martins
• Storyboards: Tyler Gibb
• Managing Editor: Jeremiah Shuff
• Editor: Lexi Gunvaldson