Since we first started Yellow Lizard video production we have always been based in St Albans Hertfordshire, home to St Michaels Manor. Over the last few years our videographers have been lucky enough to film events and promotional video content on the grounds of St Michaels Manor and recently we worked with them to capture interior videos for their video marketing requirements to showcase their stunning grounds and vast array of available rooms. Once again we partnered up with Jeremy (See Real Cheddar Blog here) to capture the video and photos simultaneously.  

Over multiple days we visited the Manor to capture different sections of the hotel, this was so we didn’t shoot the video content while guests were still enjoying the location we were at. First up were the rooms. Our videographers strategically setup the video lights to allow each room to look its best (and to not get caught in any of the mirrors) and then proceeded to capture professional film content. The plan was to have a mix of shots from handheld cameras, stabilised gimbal shots and finally videos shot on a tripod. This was so that there was a nice variation of content and the video doesn’t become to static and dull. As these would also end up as social media videos we also had to ensure that the shots could be used in quick snappy edits while also allowing the finer details of the rooms to be shown. We finally incorporated a lot of slow-motion video which we used to further smooth out the moving shots and also add a cinematic touch to the coffee machine and doors opening. As mentioned these interior videos would then be later used for video marketing for both social media and to also send out to guests looking to stay at the hotel. 

Next up were the communal internal areas, this consisted of the bar, dining room, entrance and sitting room. The way the videographers captured these were similar to the rooms. Lighting the bar was particularly interesting as the room had a wonderful feeling to it where we were worried our large video lights would ruin the aesthetic, the way we went around it was by putting the light outside of the room, and directed the light towards the bar in the same way the sun naturally would. This further emphasised the shadows and allowed the bar to still look bright enough to see on camera but not a flat light that would have ruined the look. Again video camera stabilisers are used to glide through the rooms and tripod close ups were mixed in to show the finer details the spaces had to offer.

Finally my favourite the external grounds including the lake filled with carp. In true England style we had to revisit capturing the grounds a couple of times due to the unpredictable weather. As our lights are too small to light such vast areas we had to wait for a bright and dry day to capture the rest of the hotel video content. The slow motion video came in handy here and capturing the wind in the trees and the rippling of the water was made that little bit more special by being to watch It back in half and quarter speed. Finally we got out our 4K drone and captured some stunning shots of the entire grounds, we also captured video content of the entrance and street as an establishing shot.

Since the success of that video shoot we are looking forward to working with other hotels to help them with their video marketing requirements and show off their premise with social media video content. Interior videos, drone videos and hotel videos are just a few of the types of video services our video production company offer and with 11 years experience and a range of professional video equipment including drones we know how to create beautiful promotional videos to boost your video marketing. 

Call or email us today to see how we can help you create the professional video content your business deserves.