Big River Film Co.

Telling our client we were going to film a beach scene in the middle of a living room raised a few eyebrows, but it was totally worth going for. Several hundred pounds of sand, a few fake plants, and a beach tote later, we had this beach scene setup completed. We then stepped back, directly into the dining room, and hit the record button. Thanks to Janelle Munro for bringing your incredible art department skills to this one and making sure it actually looked good ??. #VideoProduction #BehindTheScenes #Filmmaking #Delaware

This is our first fully AI-generated video. It helped fund one of the most popular tabletop RPGs on the market...and I have to admit, I have mixed feelings about it. In early 2024, we had our first use case for AI in a video project. We generated some clips that, at the time, seemed pretty cool, but they were more like low-grade CGI than anything else. Fast-forward a year, and we’ve created a fantasy world using almost exclusively AI-driven content—it was wild to see how far we’ve come in such a short span. The result was a successful campaign that funded what aims to be the world’s longest RPG game, including a Kickstarter "Project we love" feature AND, most notably, enabled the hiring of real human artists for the final hand-drawn artwork (that's right, old fashioned hand-drawn artwork by real humans). While AI can absolutely enhance video projects, it also raises the bigger question: “Should I use AI for my next video project?” The tools are absolutely there, but I’d argue that not every brand or creative need calls for it. In fact, I'd say that most don't. We’re living in a time when consumers are hyper-vigilant about manipulative advertising. Authenticity and trust are the new currency, and with AI getting so advanced (I’d guess within a year we won't visually distinguish AI-generated footage from the real thing), skepticism is only going to rise. As you consider AI in your marketing or creative mix, weigh it against your brand values and the level of authenticity you want to maintain. For us, we’ll continue to pioneer AI-driven content when it fosters genuine human connection and makes sense for our clients. But we’ll also gladly reach for our many other tools—especially good, old-fashioned cameras and lights—whenever it makes more sense to do so. Are you interested in exploring whether or not AI video content could be beneficial for you??Reach out...we're always down for a good old fashioned real conversation! Huge shoutout to Brian Harvath who was the creative powerhouse behind this project.

Efficiency on production days can be the deciding factor between nailing every shot on your list or scrambling to stay on schedule. That’s why on-location productions need exactly the right amount of lighting, grip, and camera gear—no more, no less. When every item is carefully tailored to your production’s scope, you’ll save time, reduce stress, and focus on what really matters: capturing unforgettable footage. At Big River Film Co. we've got this down to a science so you can: ? Save Money: Only bring the gear you truly need—no more, no less. ? Avoid Oversights: Be confident that everything essential is on set (and nothing is forgotten). ? Adapt on the Fly: With a streamlined package, it’s easier to pivot creatively and move gear around for last-minute shot ideas or location changes. ? Minimize Downtime: Well-maintained, carefully chosen equipment means fewer technical issues, so you can keep filming without interruption. ? Speed Up Setups: Get shots ready fast so you can focus on the bigger picture. ? Streamline Logistics: Enjoy smooth and quick load-in/load-out for every location. When every minute counts, having the right gear strategy can make all the difference. That’s why we tailor each package to your production’s unique needs—so you can stay on schedule, keep the set clutter-free, and focus on capturing your best shots. If you’re ready to streamline your next shoot, let’s connect. #FilmProduction #VideoProduction #ProductionTips #SetLife #Filmmaking #BehindTheScenes #Efficiency #BigRiverFilmCo

Enjoy some nostalgic vibes and a look back at our time filming in Switzerland with?Martina?and our gracious hosts Dorothy, Ambrosi, and friends?? #vintage #nostalgic #filmmaking #travel #bigriverfilmco #production

These 'B-side' clips from our journey to Val Di Non in Northern Italy capture moments that don’t need a narrative to inspire. Just pure, unfiltered beauty to start your day. Enjoy!

Every single second matters...a lot. When creating commercial content, you're competing fiercely for viewers' attention, and you need to be able to capture it in unexpected ways. For weeks before filming, we meticulously designed every element of every frame in these videos to capture attention, keep things fresh, and inject a sense of whimsy. How did we do it? We asked, "What if..." a LOT in the pre-production process, and we kept an open mind. What if Sasquatch visited our friends? What if an alien joined them for lunch? What if we built an entire beach in the studio? What if they had a dance party to end their day? What if they ACTUALLY fell in love? Some of these ideas were good, and some were bad, some were doable, and some were not. But, by asking the question, "What if!?" over and over we constructed a world that took advantage of the unexpected to create some really dynamic shot sequences. This particular sequence will go down as one of my absolute favorites because not only were the ideas great, but the complexity of the shots was just so much fun to work out—dolly movement, main action, secondary action, queue sasquatch, wardrobe change (NOBODY MOVE!), 2nd dolly move, scene change, books, popcorn grab...aaaaaand cut. Being a part of the Big River Film Co. team is always an adventure. #foodandbeverage #videoproduction #delawarevideoproduction #delaware

This Director's cut from our shoot with Jose Cuervo has us reminiscing about those warm summer nights. Sometimes our job is a party.

This was such a fun shoot to work on with an incredible crew. We had multiple 30-second commercials to execute in just one day, but that didn't stop us from having a little fun along the way! On production days like this, I'm always thankful for the incredible people who help make it all happen!

Need some New Year's cocktail inspiration? Here are 20 incredible cocktail ideas from the Big River team—there's bound to be something here you'll love! ?? Celebrate responsibly out there. ??

Yes. Wearing a headset on production days = feeling 10x cool, but it's also one of the best parts of my job at Big River Film Co. As a Director, production days are my opportunity to bring a team of creatives together around a common goal. The goal is to execute our pre-production plans (which we've often been working on around the clock for weeks leading up to filming days) but I'm also there to problem-solve for the unexpected as it arises—which it will—and find ways to improve on our plans. On the one hand, I'm aligning every department (from lighting, to food styling, to camera) to stick to the plan and deliver on the storyboards. On the other hand, I'm looking for opportunities to let each creative bring their own take on the project, staying open to new (better) ideas, and adjusting on the fly where we think things can be improved.