Lydia Daniller is a San Francisco-based photographer specializing in Portraiture and Social Documentary. When Varian Medical Systems reached out to her to discuss a new photo/video project, Lydia contacted me to help with the estimate, plan the creative calls, and to handle the shoot production.
Varian Medical Systems is a medical device and software company focusing on cancer treatments. For this shoot production, they needed photography and videography of their brand-new Halcyon radiotherapy system. In conversations with the client, we learned that because the system was so new, there were only a handful of working Halcyon machines available to us. We found that the nearest one was located at the teaching hospital of Washington University in St. Louis, MO.
Once the project estimate was approved, the first step was to plan the anticipated shot list and create a two-day shoot schedule. Shooting in an active space like a teaching hospital usually implies scheduling limitations. With this in mind, we worked to refine the shot list with the brand’s marketing team and our schedule with the location management.
After our location and schedule were set, we began casting the four roles needed for the project, and confirming the crew and equipment that we needed for the shoot. Lydia and I put together a crew consisting of her DP/camera operator, a local camera support team, DIT (or digital imaging technician), wardrobe stylist, hair and makeup stylist, and PAs for production support.
With our travel booked, we were soon on the ground in St. Louis for our location tech scout. Our tech scout consisted of Lydia, her DP/camera operator Kristina, first assistant, myself as producer, the client marketing director, marketing manager, as well as the art department team. While scouting the location, we discovered a major logistical limitation: our location was in a thick-walled basement without cell service and walkies wouldn’t work between the wardrobe/HMU room and our set.
We quickly had our schedule locked in and confirmed with the location management team, client, all crew and talent. Then, we were able to review the run of show creative plans with our props and wardrobe styling teams. This was important so we could keep them up to speed with Lydia’s vision and get further client sign-off on all wardrobe and props.
As our first shoot day approached, we knew we were prepared for success. We had booked crew and talent, scouted locations, and created a lengthy to-do list. In a short time, we prepped for our shoot efficiently and built a great team of creatives who all perfectly understood their jobs and expectations. As a result, the two days of production went smoothly. In the end, it was a great success. After a bit of post production, the work was out in the world to advertise and promote.
Here are a few additional images of us behind the scenes during the project!
See more case studies on our Shoot Production page.
If you need help producing your project, reach out!