A range of promotional product videos and photography services for London based sustainable gold, silver & collagen skincare company, Alchemy. Produced, filmed, photographed and edited by Dreaming Fish Productions.
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 whole bunch 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 a whole bunch of creative assets to get their name out there. Having previously worked on a range of different promotional and product videos (from goggles to goalie gloves to healthy drinks and more), 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 (to introduce the company) and 3x 20-40 second product reels (1x to focus on the sprays, 1x for creams and 1x for both). After a few conversations with Federico and the Alchemy team, we knew exactly what success looked like for them and what we needed to do to make sure we achieved exactly that. We created and shared a precise production plan, along with shoot moodboards, with Alchemy, (which they loved!) and excitingly, the project was ours. ✨
The shoot
Planning is an essential part to any shoot but for this shoot specifically, as there were many moving parts and lots of products to capture. As Alchemy wanted a whole bunch of content for their products/SKUS, we suggested grouping the products into different categories to ensure a collection of varied assets. Speaking with Federico, we came up with the following setups: a botanicals theme (visualising some of the natural ingredients included in the products), a luxury one (featuring gold and silver elements to match their colloidal properties) and a more artsy one, which would look great as banner images on their website. For the props, we used a lot of different items from around our houses like gold trays, trinket dishes, candles, bark etc along with real botanicals (basil, kale and rosemary etc) from our local fruit & veg store.
Alongside these studio setups, we also thought it would be good to show the products in a more lifestyle and natural environment, being used by real people. This meant using 2x models, (1x female and 1x male to appeal to both target audiences) and an additional location to film in. That’s when our wonderful MD, Phil, came to the rescue and offered his house as our second location. Perfect!👌🏼 Ahead of the shoot day, we worked on a very specific and detailed shoot schedule which consisted of a shot list of each individual product (whether on their own or as part of a group). 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 different themed categories and once we had set dressed each individual shots, our videographer at the time, Alex, and photographer Daria, took it in turns to do their thing – it was tight but we made it work!🎥 📸
The product x models
Once we had finished with the product shots, our models (the lovely George and Sarah!) arrived in the afternoon, and we were ready to get them involved in the shoot. For Alchemy, and for ourselves, it was super important that the photos clearly showed the products being used by real people; showing the application process of the creams and sprays (opening the lids, spraying etc) as well as showing what the product consistency/texture looked like. For continuity, we shot our models in the same studio location, as the products, as well as in the second lifestyle location, which gave Alchemy a variety of assets to work with. We communicated with Federico throughout the day to ensure he was happy with each shot/setup and he was super pleased. Check out some behind the scenes photos from the shoot below!📸
The brand film
Created using a mixture of our filmed product footage and a combination of stock (for the more elaborate shots) we created the circa 60 second promotional brand film for Alchemy. Check it out below!👇🏼🌟
The 3x social reels
Once we had completed the promotional video, we turned our attention to the 3 different social reels. To keep each video different, we split them into creams, sprays and creams & sprays, using a mixture of product and model shots. Differently to the main promotional brand film, we made these reels a lot punchier, with upbeat music tracks and faster cuts to keep the social media viewers more engaged. Alchemy are yet to share all the reels but we’ll leave you with one below. And that was a wrap on Alchemy! We had a great time working on this project and we’re super pleased with how the final photography and videos turned out! A big thank you to Federico and the team for working with us on this project.🎊
FAQs about promotional video production
How long should my promotional video be?
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.
How long does it take to create a video?
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.
