Our team got to partner with Best Buy for a handful of projects in 2022. One of our favorite collaborations with this electronic retailer was a campaign to train store employees on the different home entertainment options ahead of the big shopping season – a campaign called ‘Go Big or Go Home.’ The biggest challenge to this project’s success was the tight turnaround – from planning to delivery there was less than four weeks to execute 17 separate videos.
Though this project had many essential contributors, from Added Element this project had Matthew Deery as Producer and Director while Corey Wipper was the Director of Photography and Colorist after all the footage was edited together.
The production took place in a Best Buy store after hours – shooting overnight means the production needed to be planned to perfection to make sure all was captured before the store re-opened the next day. Overnights always end up with tired personnel — so it is also essential to be efficient and swift with the production schedule so energy of the crew is not wasted — 4am on set just hits different.
With our crew of 20, we had to move throughout the store to have on camera talent speak in front of each TV brand marquee. Because there were so many moves throughout the store, we had to be mindful to light each scene without going overboard. We didn’t have enough time to light to perfection — so really good would have to do.
We had a host of sorts who asked actual employees about each television system and how they paired with different sounds bars and sound systems. Whenever on camera talent are not paid actors, it is almost always a challenge. Acting is tough — even if it is actual television experts talking on what they know best. This production was no different — whether it was the late night or nerves, all on camera personnel struggled a bit with their segments. This required a delicate touch from Matt to coach, encourage and guide all talent through the script.
It was a long production day night, but a successful one.
The next hurdle was to work with the post production team to get all the footage turned around in an expedited manner. With less than a week from the production wrap to delivery, we had a duo of editors tackling the list of videos to deliver on time. After the feedback from the Best Buy team was collected and each video was refined, Corey could begin his expert color work on each video to help the videos truly stand out.
We have been so grateful to collaborate with Best Buy and look forward to many more productions in the future.
