The first call
Every project starts with a conversation. We ask what the film needs to do, who it is for and where it will be shown. We also want to hear about the people, the food and the place, and what makes them distinct.
This call is also where we talk about cost. Cost depends on scope. The number of locations, the filming days, the people involved, the deliverables and the edit all affect it. We set a price after the call, once we understand what the film needs to be.
It helps to come to this call with some idea of how the film will be used. It might sit on your website, support a launch, feature in press or run on social media. If you are not yet sure, that is fine, and part of the conversation is working it out together.
Defining the story
Before anyone picks up a camera, we agree the story. This is the Define stage of our work, covering brand and creative direction. We set out the idea, the structure, the tone and the visual style, with references so everyone can picture the result.
We then plan the shoot in detail. That means a shot list, a schedule built around service, interview questions and a plan for who needs to be where. In a working kitchen, planning matters. Our founder Nathan cooked for ten years and interned at 24 Michelin-starred restaurants before picking up a camera, so we plan with the pace of a kitchen in mind.
We also agree who will appear in the film and what they will talk about. Chefs, founders, producers and front-of-house teams can all bring a story to life. Preparing them for interviews in advance, and explaining how the day will run, helps everyone feel relaxed on camera.
Filming
Filming is the Capture stage. The crew films the chef and team at work, the dishes, the room, the suppliers and any interviews. We work quietly around service and guests, and agree in advance which areas and times are available.
Light matters as much in a dining room as it does on a plate. Where possible, we schedule key shots for the times of day when the room looks its best, and bring lighting to match the mood of the venue.
Most shoots also capture material for other uses. Vertical clips for reels, behind-the-scenes footage and photography give the business content beyond the main film. Planning for these on the day is more efficient than arranging a second shoot later.
On the day, we keep in close contact with the person running the kitchen or the venue. If service gets busy or plans change, we adapt. A good shoot leaves the team feeling that the crew understood how they work.
Editing and feedback
The edit is where the story comes together. We select the strongest footage, build the structure, add music and sound, and grade the colour so the film looks consistent and true to the food.
Music and sound shape how a film feels. We choose tracks that suit the brand and make sure the rights cover how and where the film will be used.
You see a first cut and give feedback, and we refine the film through the agreed rounds of changes. Having one person on your side to gather comments keeps this stage clear and on schedule.
At this stage we also prepare the shorter versions and stills agreed in the brief. Working on them alongside the main film keeps the look and the message consistent across every piece of content.
Delivery and sharing
We deliver the final film in the formats you need. That might include a main version for your website, shorter cut-downs, vertical edits for social media and subtitled versions, each prepared for where it will be shown.
For food brands, a film can also support trade sales, training and partnerships. Our work for Unilever Food Solutions includes a recipe training series with Chef Maurits, and our series Menu Masters was made for Nation's Restaurant News. The same process applies whatever the audience.
A film works hardest when it is shared well. This is the Share stage, covering social media management, the content calendar, community and monthly reporting. Our clients include CORE by Clare Smyth, the Michelin Guide and The World's 50 Best Restaurants, and our crews work in London and New York.
If you are considering a brand film, book a 15-minute call. We will talk through your plans and set out the scope and cost afterwards.