UNIT Studios Helps Introduce the Real Stan Smith in Spot for Adidas Originals

The UNIT Studios team have just finished working on the adidas Originals ‘Superstan’ campaign - directed, photographed and edited by RSA Films' Marie Schuller. The commercial film from HYPEMAKER, the creative agency of HYPEBEAST, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Superstar by combining the signature features of the heritage Sneaker with the equally iconic silhouette of the Stan Smith. It blends the signature features of each shoe – the bell toe of the Superstar and the classic Stan Smith colourway. 

Shot on location at Smith’s home in Hilton Head, South Carolina, ‘Superstan’ features the former two-time Grand Slam singles champion touching upon his career, legacy and what it’s like being better known for his contribution to footwear rather than tennis. 

The campaign utilises Schuller’s expertise with both storytelling and technique across multiple disciplines. It depicts Smith in his characteristic tongue-in-cheek manner as he welcomes audiences to his laid-back routine, with split screen cleverly transitioning his gentlemanly moves to the more brisk, graphic and sharp moves of an urban set. 

The juxtaposition taps into today’s culture and adidas heritage. All subjects sport the new Superstan shoe, with Smith filmed on 16mm and the Superstar footage on digital. Schuller also shot the campaign stills using the contrasting textures of film and digital, which was enhanced by our UNIT creative director of colour Denny Cooper, to ensure a distinct look and feel between the two eras. 

Chris Southwell, UNIT creative director of sound, mixed the soundtrack and voice over with elements of old school film and photography sound effects to enhance the blend of modern day culture and classic heritage. 

UNIT studios also provided the online edit with VFX artist Scott Ryan.