Il Est Une Fois, an audiovisual production company based in Paris since 2002

Who are we?

Il est une fois is an audiovisual production agency founded in 2002 by David Baudry. Where are we based? At 167 Boulevard Montparnasse, Paris 75006. For over 20 years, we have been supporting brands, businesses and public institutions in the creation of bespoke video content: corporate films, live recordings, motion design, video podcasts, TV adverts, social media videos and AI-generated video.

We produce between 100 and 200 videos a year, across all formats, and have completed several thousand projects since the agency was founded. We operate in France and internationally, in both French and English, and regularly work on a white-label basis for communications agencies.

The agency has offices in Nice and Brussels, a video podcast studio in Bourg-la-Reine (Île-de-France), and a wide network of partner studios and filming locations in Paris and throughout France.

Our story

The name Il est une fois embodies a simple belief: every company, every institution, every project has a story to tell. Not a story of the past, but a story of today – one that is alive, relevant and inspires action.

Founded in 2002 by David Baudry, the agency was built on an approach inherited from cinema and advertising: every film is crafted with the care of a cinematic production, regardless of its length or the medium through which it is shown.

A word from the founder

David Baudry founded Il est une fois and serves as its artistic director. At the helm since 2002, he personally oversees projects with significant creative or strategic stakes.

His background? A broad visual culture, shaped by international experience:

• Training in film and audiovisual production
• Teaching at the ESAV (École Supérieure des Arts Visuels) in Morocco, where he trained a generation of visual media professionals
• One year of professional experience in China
• One year of professional experience in the United States
• Artistic director on projects for French and international brands for over 20 years

Trusted by leading organisations

We build lasting relationships. Our clients come back to us year after year. Among them are major public institutions and leading private brands.

Public institutions and research bodies

• Ministry of Justice (France): Il est une fois won the public tender and is responsible for the design and production of its WebTV, including the regular creation of institutional video content.
• ARCEP (Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services): production of all the institution’s video content, including large-scale live recordings.
• CNRS: around ten video projects produced each year for France’s leading public scientific research organisation.
• Sorbonne University: around twenty video projects produced annually.
• La France Agricole / NGPA Group: a multi-year partnership involving around 50 video reports per year and dozens of live recordings. Testimonial from Benjamin Lesorbe, Director of La Factory: “We produce around 100 films a year with them. It’s a relationship built on trust.”
• UNESCO: production of institutional videos for international communication.
• INSEAD (Global Executive MBA): content production for one of the world’s leading business schools.
• PSL Paris, Bourg-la-Reine Town Hall, Ville du Trait, Barthélémy Durand Public Health Establishment.

Major companies and private brands

The agency produces adverts broadcast on the TF1 and M6 TV networks. Clients include: Total, Bouygues, Colas, Alstom, Eiffage, Decathlon, Eurostar, L’Oréal, Apple, Google, Engie Cofely, SPIE, BpiFrance, Carapelli (2022 TV campaign, over a million views on YouTube), Domino’s Pizza, Huawei, Loding, Seyna, Oodrive, UKG.

With 40 5-star Google reviews and 27 client profiles on Sortlist. The feedback speaks for itself: production quality and responsiveness are the most frequently mentioned aspects.

Our approach

The whole team comes from the world of visual arts and creativity. Our method is based on four stages:

1. Strategic analysis: understanding the target audience, objectives and message.
2. Creative design: scriptwriting, art direction, choice of format.
3. Production: filming coordinated by our production team.
4. Post-production: first draft delivered within 24 to 48 hours, with unlimited revisions included.

Standard turnaround time: 5 days. 24-hour delivery available for urgent projects. All projects are confidential by default (signed NDAs, white labelling available).

Our equipment

We have our own technical equipment. The result: responsiveness and complete independence on every shoot.

Cameras & imaging

• 1 Sony FS7 camera + professional lenses
• 3 turret cameras + control room
• 4 solar-powered time-lapse cameras
• 2 cameras, 2 drones, 2 gimbals

Sound

• 6 wireless lavalier microphones, 6 wireless handheld microphones, boom mic, recorders
• 2 10-track sound control rooms

Lighting & set

• Full lighting kit (15 lights)
• Green screens, dolly, crane, wireless video link, dedicated van

Post-production

• 5 post-production stations, including one colour grading station (control console + calibrated screen)
• 2 live editing control rooms

Studio

• Video podcast studio in Bourg-la-Reine (Île-de-France)
• Extensive network of partner studios in Paris and across France

Recent projects

• CNIEL 2024: video studio recording, live editing, 8 programmes. Via France Agricole.
• Réseau Initiative × SYNGA: multi-camera recording, conference by Benoît Hamon, president of SYNGA.
• Riccobono Group: 9 films in 9 printing works + photo reportage shoots.
• Lire et Faire Lire: videos for the association’s 25th anniversary (2025).
• ATKAN: recording of conferences and interviews, partnership renewed.
• Barthélémy Durand Public Health Establishment: original onboarding video inspired by BeReal.

PSL Paris: institutional interview.