The Road Trip of a Lifetime
One of the best parts of working in video production is connecting with people in their own environments. Filming can grant you access to worlds you'd probably never experience otherwise, and that was certainly the case last year while producing a campaign for Booking.com.
Our brief was to create a series of films for Booking.com's Traveller Review Awards, honouring accommodation partners with ratings above 8.5. After working on a successful project the previous year in London, we were eager to up the ante. Collaborating with the client, we opted to film internationally, selecting Italy for its diverse landscapes and architecture. Yet, shooting overseas posed a big set of challenges, such as language barriers, coordinating with foreign crews, and navigating the intricacies of shooting in working, often luxury hotels.
To maintain somewhat logistical and creative control throughout the shoot, we opted for one big road trip adventure. Our trusty van transformed into our everything: home, studio, and office, all on wheels. And so, on a damp November morning, snug but slightly cramped, we set off on the 1500-mile trip to Rome.
Two long days later we arrived, and you can imagine how great that first Pizza tasted. Our shoot location was Maalot Hotel, a gem just a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain that perfectly melds luxury and bohemian vibes. Saying the staff were friendly there is an understatement. I've never felt more warmly welcomed anywhere, and we weren't even guests. It seemed to be part of their nature, but I also believe our creative approach played a role. Our film wasn’t just highlighting the manager or head chef, we were trying to shine a light on everyone in the hotel - from the bellboy to the handyman - and I think the staff genuinely appreciated that. The head chef, Domenico, went out of his way to create beautiful dish after beautiful dish so we could get the shots we needed. He didn’t speak any English, but I’m sure he didn’t need to understand quite just how much we enjoyed both filming with him and his incredible food.
Next, we headed north, trading Rome’s manic energy for the tranquil waters of Lake Maggiore. We were filming at the White Lilac B&B, a small but stunning property run by Donatella and her husband Simon. Whilst developing the creative, we often talked about the sentiment of hotel staff going "the extra mile." It was evident in every detail at White Lilac, from Donatella remembering how returning guests like their rooms to be set, up to Simon's efforts in sourcing jam and honey from local suppliers. It's these small touches that culminate in an exceptional guest experience, ultimately earning the property a Traveller Review Award. Donatella and Simon's hospitality was so heartfelt and lovely; they genuinely said they'd miss us when we left. And topping off our stay by filming a boat ride on the lake? Just one of the job's sweet perks.
Snow-chains on, and it was time to wrap up our adventure in the breathtaking Dolomites. The whole idea behind filming in Italy was the wide range of different environments and architecture available to us - we wanted it to be obvious in an instant where the audience was when watching the film. This was certainly true for our final hotel, Rosapetra Spa, a gorgeous alpine lodge nestled in a snowy valley. Here, it was all about the experiences - from massage treatments to mountain hikes with the hotel’s outdoor concierge. Whilst filming the latter, I couldn’t help but think I had packed a bit better for the sunny streets of Rome. Still, I was in no place to complain, especially compared to our talent, who had to brave the cold plunge pool for the shoot. Don’t feel too sorry for him, though, he got to warm up with a massage afterwards!
I had plenty of time to be thankful during the long journey back to London. It was a shoot made up of laughter in tight spaces, awe-struck moments in nature, and quiet comradery between a film crew on 5AM call times. But more than anything, I was thankful for the people we met along the way, and felt privileged that it was our job to get to tell their story.
*Disclaimer: The events and experiences discussed in this blog post are from the writer's previous role and do not reflect the activities or projects of Qualia Film Co.
