Challenge: Create a video that captures a city organically

Client: Discover Durham (2017)

In 2017, I was hired by Discover Durham to direct and edit a video that captured the energy of Durham, NC, a Southern city going through dramatic change.

We decided to do to focus on making it experiential by leading with real, natural sound from events and musicians around the city. From the opening shot of saxophonist Alan Thompson to the backporch playing of award-winning musician Phil Cook to the crack of a bat at Durham Bulls Stadium, at every turn we leaned into community and experience. At every turn, we sourced locally, from crew to soundtrack artists.

The result was a video completely different from the often sterile Visitor’s Center videos of most mid-size cities. We made something that the city residents and regional organizations themselves shared with potential visitors.

Winner: PLATINUM award for Travel Video at the MARCOM awards (An international award for marketing and communications professionals)