Overview

A big part of Tourism and Events Queensland’s remit is to highlight hidden gems in QLD. While Noosa (particularly the Food and Wine Festival) is hardly a secret, Mary Valley in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is. TEQ wanted to highlight the Noosa Foodie Trail, but also the Mary Valley and its stunning vistas, gourmet local produce, and its burgeoning triathlon trail.

My Client’s Problem

The client needed stills and video. But they were also paying for me to participate in all the activities and stay at all the (incredible) accommodation. So, they wanted one person who could shoot both. They also needed someone who could keep pace with all the eating (hello, stretch pants) and activities (hello, carb loading) we would undertake during the week.

Most importantly, however, they needed a series of videos produced, targeting different market segments. So, they needed someone who could see and capture stories for the adrenaline junkies, the foodies, and the vintage shoppers alike.

My Solution

Firstly, it goes without saying that I packed comfy pants for the Food and Wine Festival. I didn’t just capture the amazing food I was forced to eat (#toughlife) but also the stories of the chefs and sommeliers. The Festival is a chance for chefs to take risks, to experiment. I wanted to capture these stories.

During the second part of the week, I splashed cold water on my face to awaken from my food coma and shot like crazy. I used waterproof cameras and housings to shoot in the water, drones to film in the air, and GoPro’s for everything in between. I attached cameras to myself, bikes, kayaks, cars and trees. I wasn’t quite brave enough to attach one to a cow, but the thought did cross my mind.

The Outcome

I produced four videos for the TEQ team, relevant to specific market segments, promoting a different part of the trip. I also produced a small video for one of their suppliers, Melawondi Springs Retreat. TEQ also have a series of images they can use across various campaigns in the years to come. And footage that can be rolled into other video projects down the track.