Creating a cinematic look in Nicosia isn’t just about hitting record,it’s a journey that starts long before the camera rolls. Every great production begins with the essential phases: Pre-production, Production, and Post-production, but it’s the little moments in between that make all the difference.
In pre-production, the magic starts with location scouting. For this shoot, we knew we needed a mix of Nicosia’s old stone architecture, colorful alleyways, and those hidden spots that hold so much character. The locations you choose set the tone for the entire project, whether it’s a moody, urban vibe with dramatic shadows or a bright, airy atmosphere bathed in sunlight. Once we found the perfect places, we mapped everything out – shot lists and storyboards so we could stay focused and organized when filming day came.
Choosing the right gear was another key element. For this shoot, we went with the Panasonic GH5s. Its dynamic range and ability to handle low light made it the perfect choice, and pairing it with prime lenses gave us that dreamy, shallow depth of field that feels so cinematic.
On the day of production, we moved through Nicosia’s narrow alleys with a gimbal and monopod, capturing smooth, dynamic shots. Shooting in V-LogL was a game changer; it gave us the flexibility to push the footage in post-production and bring out every detail. And since we shot during the day with the sun being out, ND filters helped keep the aperture wide, giving us that stunning, blurred background we were after.
Then came post-production, where everything comes to life. The footage felt great, but it needed the right color grading to evoke Nicosia’s warmth. We chose rich oranges and yellows, giving the footage the charm and nostalgia the city deserves. The color palette set the tone and made the footage feel inviting.
The finishing touch? Sound design. We spent time selecting the perfect background music and layering ambient sounds to breathe life into the video. It was about matching the audio with the mood and making sure every moment felt just right.
The result? A polished, cinematic video that showcases Nicosia’s old town in all its timeless beauty—both visually and sonically.
In the end, creating a cinematic look isn’t just about technical precision, it’s about finding beauty in unexpected moments and turning ordinary places into unforgettable visual stories.
– Tracy Irwing & Derrick Mutsinzi Shema
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