Behind The Scenes: Shooting a Killer TV Commercial With 5Gear Studios

August 15, 2024
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Recently we had the pleasure of creating Arista Homes’ first-ever TV commercial to celebrate 30 years of building award-winning homes, creating innovative designs & committing to customer care. 

Come behind the scenes as we relive our day shooting the Arista Homes TV commercial!

Shooting a TV Commercial

We arrived on set at a crisp 7 AM to load in the equipment and get everything set up for the day. Thanks to Toronto Lighting Rentals, we had the best lighting for the shoot. With their Platinum Package, we had access to a fully stocked truck, premium lights and other gear essential for the shoot. Even though on this gorgeous sunny day we had a plethora of natural sunlight, Nik Pilecki, our incredible DP, utilized lights to capture the shoot exactly as we wanted it. Our Gaffer, Ryan Saltzberg and electric Sebastian Guizar ensured everything was set up safely and securely.

TV Commercial Lighting Set Up

Overseeing the day were our clients from Arista Homes, Adrian DeGasperis and Franco Crispino, who ensured everything ran smoothly at our filming locations. Our Director, Darren Sager led our team to excellence with his keen eye and effective communication. Our first AD, Lee Kestenberg kept the team and schedule on track. 

We had an amazing crew with our Director of Photography, Nik Pilecki, our first AC, Alice Do, our Second AC, Nicolas Alcalde, our Key Grip, Jason D’Souza, our Grip, Ish Ali and our Best Girl, Kate Shumakova. Setting the environment was our Set Dresser, Liz Bucci and supporting the team were various Production Assistants, including Jakub Wingell. Capturing the day via behind-the-scenes photos and video was Gavin Morgenthal, with Laura Stubbs capturing our social media content.

TV Commercial Directors Chairs

Our first shot of the day was capturing the next-door neighbour peeking over the fence. Some of the Arista Homes employees had the opportunity to be stars for the day so the neighbour was actually played by one of their team members!  To make the framing more interesting trees were planted over the fence and placed them behind the actor.

Behind The Scenes TV Commercial Neighbour Looking Over Fence

 

Next, the Team captured, one of our Principal Actors, “the Mom”, played by Rafia Iqbal, looking out the door at her husband and son building the dog house. We shone a huge light through the window to emulate gorgeous daytime rays. Rafia did a lovely job conveying the love and admiration she had for her family’s efforts, through the expert direction from our Director. 

Behind The Scenes TV Commercial Video Camera

The next scene that was filmed, was the boy and his father building the doghouse. Fady Zablouk, as the father, and Nyan Mahajan as the son wonderfully captured the father-son bond of collaborating on a project. Since we had to get sufficient coverage, Nyan was continually hammering a single nail into the wood plank. Between each take, we’d have to quickly run in to pull the nail back out so he could hammer it again, handled by our Set Dresser, Liz.

Behind The Scenes TV Commercial Cinematographer

 

 

The front-of-the-house shots of the commercial were captured at a second location. Filmed at Arista’s Kleinberg Community, this gorgeous collection of houses set the perfect backdrop for the character’s home. The scene features an Arista Homes tradesman (played by Daniel John Sobczak) coming home from work in his 4×4 truck and overhearing the neighbours’ hammering and sawing, so he grabs his toolbox to help. With his intrigued smile, Daniel perfectly evokes a helpful and handy nature, reflecting the core values of Arista Homes.

Arista Homes TV Commercial Truck

With the help of Misha Herschorn from First Class Drones, we captured some incredible aerial footage of the neighbours in the area arriving to assist. Some other Arista employees had the opportunity to put on their acting hats as well, carrying various building materials and acting as neighbours in the scene. As the sun began to set, it created a beautiful atmosphere to capture the views of Arista homes in the neighbourhood. 

TV Commercial Behind The Scenes Drone Operator

Then we rushed back to the first location to film the Arista Homes tradesman helping build the doghouse in the backyard. The team had to catch the sun still setting so the lighting matched in both locations. This ensures the viewer doesn’t notice the front of the house and the backyard are two separate locations, and it provides a seamless timeline from the tradesman leaving his truck to entering the backyard.

When the sun finally did set, it was time to capture the nighttime party scene. The string lights created a warm glow to embody the inviting community atmosphere.

With their craftsmanship and creativity, Arista built a gorgeous dog house with a custom Arista “A” to light-up the front. Even the dog was a part of the Arista family, belonging to a family member of the team. 

To end off the day, Adrian handed out ice cream bars to the cast and crew which was the perfect treat after a sun-filled day. We were able to accomplish so much in a single day because of the incredible crew and the help of Arista Homes.

We’re so proud of this TV commercial and we’re grateful for getting to share in this significant milestone. Arista doesn’t just build homes, they build communities!

Looking to film your own TV commercial? Contact 5Gear Studios today!