PRODUCTION
We were absolutely thrilled when OpenTable approached us to produce a neighbourhood guide video showcasing the best dining spots in one of Sydney’s famous destinations. Collaborating with the talented Fleur Egan, our team set out to capture the essence of four of the finest restaurants in the area.
On the day of the shoot, our dedicated videographer accompanied the OpenTable team and Fleur Egan on location, carefully adhering to a detailed schedule that allowed us ample time at each restaurant.
Fun fact: Mother Nature wasn’t exactly in a cooperative mood during our shoot day – it was pouring cats and dogs outside! But here’s the twist – the gloomy weather actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The soft light that came with the cloudy skies ended up being perfect for capturing stunning video footage of the restaurant interiors. Plus, we didn’t have to worry about overexposed windows thanks to the lack of harsh sunlight.
We spent up to 1.5 hours at each of the four restaurants, going through Fleur’s script, capturing shots of the interiors, and showcasing the delicious food on offer. Working with Fleur was a breeze – she was easy-going, professional, incredibly talented, and she deserves most of the credit for the fantastic end result.
Overall, we had an amazing time working on this project, and we are proud of the final result. Check out the video on OpenTable’s Instagram to see for yourself!
POST-PRODUCTION
OpenTable requested two distinct video edits for this project:
- An extended neighbourhood guide in landscape format, optimised for websites and YouTube (top of this page).
- A shorter, social media-friendly vertical version of the video, perfect for sharing on platforms like Instagram and Facebook (here below)
Video Editing
We poured our hearts and souls into this project, dedicating a full two weeks to perfecting what was already a great collection of footage. Given that the videos were intended for marketing and social media use, it was crucial that they looked absolutely stunning, especially since the focus was on food.
To ensure that we delivered exactly what OpenTable wanted, we established a clear structure for the videos. Each restaurant showcase received equal screen time, sandwiched between a brief intro and a compelling CTA outro. This structure was implemented across both the long and short versions of the videos.
With the structure in place, we began selecting the best pieces to camera by Fleur and ensuring that the presentation flowed smoothly and kept viewers engaged. We then carefully handpicked the most relevant b-roll footage for each restaurant, incorporating it seamlessly into the video to elevate the viewing experience.
One of the most enjoyable parts of this project was the colour correction and grading process. We painstakingly corrected and graded each individual clip to perfection, ensuring that every shot looked its best while keeping colours as natural and inviting as possible.
Of course, audio design and mix also played a pivotal role in the final product. We wanted to ensure that the videos sounded just as good as they looked, so we added subtle audio effects to emphasise certain parts of the footage. We also incorporated a gentle background restaurant crowd noise to maintain a consistent atmosphere throughout the entire video.
All in all, this project was a labour of love, and we are incredibly proud of the end result.
Credits & Location
Location of filming: Chippendale, NSW
Camera operator & DP: Matt Callian
Video editing: Matt Callian
Video Production Gear
Main camera: Sony A7s III
Gimbal: Zhiyun Crane 2s
Audio: Rode Rodelink Filmmaker Kit
Light: Godox ML60
Edited with: Adobe Premiere Pro
