A range of promotional product videos and photography assets for London based sustainable gold, silver & collagen skincare company, Alchemy. Produced, filmed, photographed and edited by Dreaming Fish Productions in Surrey.
The client and the brief
At the start of 2024, we were approached by Metalchemy, a leading global supplier of colloidal silver & gold, to produce a range of different video and photography content for the launch of their sister skincare company, Alchemy Natural. Being a relatively new brand, Alchemy were in need of various creative assets for use on their website and marketing materials. Having previously worked on a range of different promotional and product videos (from goggles to goalie gloves), this project was right up our street.
To showcase their unique range of skincare products, which consists of colloidal silver and gold infused sprays and creams, (available in different ml sizes and ppms) Alchemy were after 1x 60 second brand film and 3x 20-40 second product reels. After a few conversations with Federico and the Alchemy team, we knew exactly what success looked like and what we needed to do to achieve it. We shared a precise production plan and shoot moodboards with Alchemy (which they loved!) and excitingly, the project was ours.
The shoot
Planning was key for this shoot, especially with so many products and setups to capture. Since Alchemy wanted a wide range of content for their different SKUs, we suggested grouping the products into themed categories to create varied assets. After discussing with Federico, we agreed on three setups: botanicals (highlighting natural ingredients), luxury (gold and silver elements reflecting the products’ colloidal properties) and artsy (perfect for website banners). For props, we combined items from around our homes: trays, trinkets, candles, bark, with fresh botanicals like basil, kale, and rosemary from our local market.
Alongside the studio setups, we also wanted to capture the products in lifestyle settings, showing real people using them. This meant using 2x models in an additional location. That’s when our wonderful MD, Phil, came to the rescue and offered his house; perfect! Ahead of the shoot day, we created a detailed shoot schedule with a shot list of each individual product. We worked closely with Federico to make sure he was happy with our plan before setting anything in stone. With only 1 day scheduled for the shoot, it was crucial that the videography and photography worked simultaneously, due to time efficiency.
Product photography
We printed out our shoot shotlist and stuck it up in the studio, to ensure everyone knew what was happening. It was essential that we didn’t miss a thing! We worked through the themed categories, and once each shot was set, our videographer Alex and photographer Daria took turns capturing the content. It was tight, but we made it work.
The product x models
After finishing the product shots, our models (George and Sarah) arrived for the afternoon session. It was important to show the products in use, demonstrating application, texture and consistency. We filmed them in the product studio and the lifestyle location, providing Alchemy with versatile assets. We checked in with Federico throughout the day to ensure he was happy with each shot and setup. He couldn’t have been happier with the results!
The brand film
Using a mix of our filmed product footage and stock (for more elaborate shots), we created a 60 second promotional brand film for Alchemy. Check it out below:
The 3x social reels
After completing the promotional video, we jumped straight into creating the 3x social reels. We kept each video distinct by focusing on creams, sprays, and creams & sprays, mixing product and model shots. Unlike the main brand film, these reels were punchier, with upbeat music and faster cuts to engage social media viewers. Alchemy are yet to share all the reels but we’ll leave you with one below. We loved working on this project and are beyond happy with the final assets. A big thank you to Federico and the team for working with us on this project. Until next time!
FAQs about promotional video production
The length of your video depends on its usage, platform and audience but, typically, promotional videos range anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes in length. When you get in touch with us about your video requirements, we’ll be able to advise you on the ideal duration.
For a live-action video, we usually take around 2-4 weeks to complete a project and usually around 4-8 weeks for 2D explainer video; both being very dependent on the video approach and content. Are you interested in getting started on your promotional video journey? We’d love to help – contact us today to speak to a member of our team.
