PRODUCTION

Our team had the privilege of embarking on yet another thrilling project, as part of a vibrant video series for OpenTable – the platform that lets you book tables online, in case you’re new to it. This time, we ventured into the charming neighbourhood of Carlton VIC, to film and showcase some of its most exceptional dining gems.

What added an extra layer of excitement to this project was our collaboration with the dynamic and talented Bridget Hustwaite, a household name in TV presenting, authorship, and podcasting, from Melbourne. Bridget’s approachable, energetic, and highly professional demeanour infused the video with an infectious energy.

On the day of the shoot, our videographer teamed up with the OpenTable crew and Bridget on location in Melbourne, capturing footage at four distinct venues.

At each spot, we not only recorded Bridget’s engaging presentations and on-camera moments but also amassed a treasure trove of B-roll footage, spotlighting the mouthwatering cuisine and beverages, all while capturing the unique ambiance of the interiors and exteriors. While we had a structured plan in place, the magic of creative improvisation came into play as we stumbled upon new shots and setups, adding to the thrill of the day.

OUTPUT REQUIREMENTS

OpenTable requested two distinct video edits for this project, which posed the challenge of needing to capture compelling footage suitable for both vertical and landscape outputs, making the filming and editing process quite intriguing:

An extended neighbourhood guide in landscape format, optimised for websites and YouTube (top of this page). This version of the video is more relaxed and longer in duration, allowing us to showcase more of the venues and food. It provides Bridget with ample room to explore various topics and narratives.
A short vertical version, ideal for sharing on platforms like Instagram and Facebook (here below). This one is tailored for social media, designed in a vertical format. It demands a punchier and more captivating style, necessitating dynamic and focused editing to ensure every aspect is presented effectively.

POST PRODUCTION

To infuse our visuals with depth and vibrant context, we placed a paramount emphasis on celebrating the culinary journey, showcasing the chef’s remarkable expertise, and capturing the distinct ambiance of each restaurant. In these sequences, we incorporated Bridget’s voiceover to inject a natural and exhilarating energy. This approach allowed her to introduce the places and dishes in an engaging manner rather than relying solely on static narration.

In line with OpenTable’s preferences, we entrusted them with the selection of music to align with their brand. During the meticulous sound mixing process, we deftly balanced the audio elements – dialogue, music, and sound effects – orchestrating them to harmonise seamlessly and resonate with the intended tone and mood.

As any connoisseur knows, colour correction and grading are indispensable in videos where food is the protagonist. Our mission was to make the colours in the video burst with vibrancy and visual appeal, all while avoiding the pitfall of oversaturation or unrealism. Every clip underwent a painstaking process of manual colour correction and grading. For this project, we intentionally shot the footage in S-log3 to grant us precise control over colour management in post-production. Our tools of choice, Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve, worked in unison to deliver breathtaking results in terms of colour and overall visual aesthetics.

Overall, this project was an absolute thrill. We take immense pride in the end result, and it warms our hearts to see it become one of the most viewed videos on OpenTable’s Australian Instagram page, garnering over 160k views and sparking substantial engagement. Let’s check out the video on OpenTable’s Instagram to see for yourself!