Welcome to the Brand Spaceship, where we unravel the intricacies of commercial production in video. Today, we're delving into the process of creating a commercial for Velotric E-bikes, a journey filled with excitement, obstacles, and ultimately, triumph. This series, Made by Mile 80, gives you an insider's perspective on what it takes to produce a successful video advertisement.
Pre-production Process
Every great commercial begins with meticulous planning. Two months prior to our Velotric E-bike commercial, the production team in Austin, Texas found themselves in a predicament. The e-bikes necessary for the shoot were delayed in transit from another country. With the deadline looming, we had to pull some strings to get the bikes, a testament to the unpredictable nature of video production.
Overcoming Obstacles
On the day the bikes arrived, our crew faced a whirlwind of challenges. With only an hour and a half to retrieve the e-bikes from a warehouse 75 minutes away, the team had to make quick decisions. Throw in a surprise close-call with a malfunctioning electric car, and you've got a typical day in the world of commercial production!
The Value of Filmmaking
Filmmaking is an art of chaos and precision. This commercial production was no different. Every hurdle faced, from logistics to near-misses, is part of the thrill. Famous filmmaker Verna Herzog once described film school as learning to pick locks and forge documents, speaking to the craft's unpredictability and creativity. In this process, we constantly strive to get everything just right, from the storyboard to the execution.
The Filming Process
For this e-bike commercial, we relied on a diverse array of cameras including the Red v Raptor, Cannon R5C, Mavic three cini, Insta 360 X3, GoPro Hero 11, and iPhones. This variety of equipment gave us a dynamic range of textures and looks, all contributing to a captivating commercial. Commercial production is about embracing a blend of planning and spontaneity, knowing when to let go of control for the sake of an authentic aesthetic.
Editing and Post-production
Interweaving footage from the high-quality Red camera and simpler devices like iPhones, the final cut was a testament to the variety of equipment we used. The result was a dynamic, engaging video that captured the sheer fun of riding an e-bike.
Lessons from Commercial Production
From pre-production to post-production, our journey with Velotric E-bikes revealed valuable insights. Video production is a complex dance of planning and flexibility. By welcoming the chaos, we created a video commercial that didn't just showcase a product, but told a compelling story.
The process was chaotic, demanding, and challenging, but in the end, we delivered a product that both the team and the client were proud of. Through it all, this experience was a reminder that at the core of commercial production lies the pursuit of capturing genuine moments that resonate with the audience.
In the world of commercial production, every project is a unique voyage into creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. We hope this behind-the-scenes look at our video production journey for Velotric E-bikes gives you a greater appreciation for the meticulous work and sheer resilience that goes into crafting each commercial. Stay tuned for more from our series, Made by Mile 80, where we continue to explore the fascinating world of commercial video production.
