Bahama Beach Club Bound…
In March of 2022, MGW Productions got the opportunity to fly to the Abacos in order to create a full marketing package of content for the Bahama Beach Club in Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas along with David Scarola Photography. This resort is a condominium complex located right on one of the most pristine beaches in the world. Travelers from all over come to enjoy a variety of all that the Bahamas has to offer.
To say it was a crazy fun shoot would be an understatement! There were about 14 of us in all because we brought two families as models for the production shoot. When I say fun, I mean pulling 12 hour days at the resort, and also out boating, jet skiing, freediving, spearfishing, and everything in between. Just for a quick glimpse, here’s a fun highlight reel from our time there featuring the best content and special moments.
Here’s a few reflections on this special trip as it relates to work/travel production life.
Production Across Cultures:
After visiting the Bahamas now a hand full of times for work, I’ve really grown to appreciate working in the Bahamas and the difference in cultures between the islands of the Caribbean and the main land of America. Everything is extremely chillllll there - everyone is on “island time.” This has its pros and cons because in one sense there is not as much of a plan or commitment to the clock with regard to getting things done so everything is way more spontaneous. It’s the art of grabbing people in the moment and capturing it. But once you get used to it and adapt, it can be a lot more fun and relaxed way of shooting and capturing artfully those authentic moments.
The Bahamian people also are some of the most gracious, loving and kind people I’ve met and you never get the feeling of being rushed or treated rudely. The hospitality shown is one the most beautiful things that differentiates the Bahamas I think from other cultures.
Shooting Drone, Ground and Underwater:
Being able to fly the drone off a boat, capture content with a regular gimbal rig and also be ready to go underwater with the housing is a skill set in and of itself. I was so thankful for my time here getting to sharpen each skill set, but specifically my favorite is underwater videography which I believe is also the hardest. There’s just so many variables - holding the camera steady underwater, getting focus, accounting for the color changes underwater etc.
We had two sessions to dive a breathtaking coral reef as well as spearfish another reef and that provided some real winning underwater content.
Delivering a Full Package of Content:
One of the things that was extremely important to this Bahamas production shoot for the resort was that we capture a well rounded package of content. Not only did the resort staff want a website brand film, but they wanted social media content as well. This included focusing on aspects such as the food at the resort, the rooms, activities on property, the drinks, and then branching out to the range of Bahamian activities. We found ourselves as a result feeding the local pigs on the island, swimming with the stingrays, freediving, spearfishing, jet skiing and island hoping to places like Green Turtle Key and Hope Town. Lastly, we also included a silent website reel for them which featured just absolute stunner shots and could serve as a backdrop to their website. To view the full package we delivered visit here:
Thinking back over this shoot, I felt so stoked to have had this adventure with the camera in hand capturing authentic travel and destination content in the Bahamas and I look forward to more adventures like this one!
Photo by David Scarola
Photo by David Scarola
Photo by David Scarola
