Spark Media Video Production Agency
Behind the Scenes:
Discover Dudley's Tourism Video
- Rebecca Snoad
Date Published: 18/03/2025
This week is English Tourism Week, so it’s the perfect time to support and celebrate local attractions. We’ll be breaking down the process behind a recent project we worked on for Dudley Council – the Discover Dudley tourism video campaign.
The Brief
Having previously worked with Discover Dudley in 2018 on a TV ad campaign, we were excited when they approached us again to pitch for this project. We won the bid and got to work creating a series of videos showcasing the best that Dudley has to offer.
Dudley Council wanted a series of videos to promote the borough and 14 of its top attractions.
The goal? Get more people exploring Dudley. Our job? To create:
- 1 x full overview video
- 1 x mini overview video
- 14 x individual attraction videos
They wanted the videos to be upbeat, exciting, and highlight the individual character of each attraction. The list included places like the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley Canal, Dudley Zoo & Castle, Himley Hall, Bumble Hole Nature Reserve and more. Each venue had specific things they wanted to feature, from glass blowing at Red House Glass Cone to the nighttime economy at the Town Hall and the Waterfront.
Pre-Production
With so many locations to cover, we had to plan and schedule everything carefully. We did multiple location recces, test shoots, and created a storyboard. This ensured we knew what shots we needed before filming started.
One major factor we had to consider? The great British weather. Shooting outdoors in the UK can be unpredictable, so we planned our schedule accordingly to maximise the best conditions. In the end, the filming days turned out beautifully sunny, which made the final videos look even better.
For casting, we hired extras, included members of our own team, and even featured our Director Danny and his family, enjoying days out at Dudley’s top visitor spots. The goal was to make the attractions feel lively and real, not staged.
Pictured: Our Senior Editor Michael (top left), our Marketing Executive Becca (top right), our Director Danny and his family (bottom)
Production
Filming across multiple locations meant we had to be efficient with our time. Our core team included:
- Danny (Director)
- James (DOP & Editor)
- Harry (Drone Pilot)
- Georgia (Producer)
- A few runners to help keep everything on track
We shot on the Sony FX3 with an Atomos recorder for high-quality footage, an Insta360 X4 for creative shots from a different angle, and a DJI Mavic 3 Cine for those essential aerial views. For grip, we mainly used tripods and gimbals to ensure smooth shots and to stay as versatile as possible because we were constantly on the move.
Post-Production
We had a lot of creative freedom in the edit. We explored different styles and ideas before settling on a fast-paced edit using split screens, match cuts, and a mix of drone and Insta360 footage to keep things interesting. This editing style helped pack a lot of energy into each video while ensuring that every attraction had its moment to shine.
The Impact
The final videos were used across venue websites, social media, and even TV. These videos are helping to increase traffic to the Discover Dudley website, boost visitor numbers, and encourage people to share their experiences.
