Behind the Lens: Showcasing Crossfield’s Charm with Homes by Creation

At Ackroyd Videography, every project is a chance to craft a story that resonates. My recent collaboration with Homes by Creation to highlight the Crossfield/Iron Landing community and capture their showhome launch event on April 26, 2025, was a pivotal moment in my journey as a storyteller. This project demanded careful planning, creative execution, and meticulous post-production to create videos that shine on social media. I’m especially thrilled to share that this was my first multi-cam interview setup, a technique that brought incredible depth to the final product. Here’s a peek behind the scenes of how we brought Crossfield to life.

Planning with Purpose

Homes by Creation entrusted me to showcase the unique appeal of Crossfield/Iron Landing and the excitement of their showhome launch. The goal was clear: produce high-quality, engaging videos optimized for platforms like Instagram and YouTube to draw viewers into the community’s lifestyle. This required thoughtful preparation—scouting locations, coordinating with the client, and ensuring every shot reflected their vision.

For the community shoot, I focused on capturing clean, high-resolution B-roll to highlight Crossfield’s key features, from charming homes to inviting amenities. Using my Sony Cinema Line FX30 with a gimbal, I achieved smooth, dynamic ground shots, while my DJI Mini 3 Pro drone provided sweeping aerial perspectives. The drone footage prioritized simplicity and clarity over flashy moves, all shot at 60fps for flexibility in editing. This allowed me to slow down clips for a cinematic effect, enhancing the storytelling while keeping the focus on Crossfield’s warmth and appeal.

A Breakthrough: My First Multi-Cam Interview

The showhome launch event was the heart of the project, and it marked a personal milestone: my first time using a multi-cam setup for interviews. Adding a second camera elevated the footage to a new level of professionalism, a technique I’d been eager to master. The setup included multiple cameras, tripods, professional lighting, and a Lav mic with a Zoom F3 recorder for pristine audio. I interviewed real estate agents with questions like “What makes Crossfield a unique community?” and “What’s a standout feature of these homes?” to capture authentic insights that enriched the narrative.

A highlight was an exclusive interview with Lindsay and Colleen Harder, owners of Shorty’s, a beloved diner in Crossfield. Their story of community spirit was seamlessly woven into the highlight video, adding a heartfelt layer that made the footage truly special. Managing two cameras was a challenge, but the dynamic angles and polished production quality were worth it. I’m now confident offering multi-cam interviews as an add-on to my packages, opening new possibilities for future projects.

Post-Production Perfection

Post-production was where the story came together. After logging hours of footage, I carefully cut clips into the timeline, synced the multi-cam interviews, and color-corrected each shot for a vibrant, cohesive look. The real magic happened in sound design—my favorite part. I spent over six hours crafting the audio for the 4-minute, 9-second main video, layering ambient sounds, subtle transitions, and music to immerse viewers in Crossfield’s atmosphere. The sound design wasn’t just background; it was a storytelling tool that brought every moment to life, drawing the audience into the experience.

The deliverables included a 1-2 minute recap video of Crossfield and the launch event, short 10-20 second clips optimized for Instagram Reels and TikTok, and high-quality photos capturing the event’s energy. I also exported the interviews in both horizontal and vertical formats, giving Homes by Creation versatile content for their social media and website. The multi-cam interviews were edited into standalone 30-60-second clips, perfect for flexible use.

A New Chapter in Storytelling

This project was a testament to growth. The multi-cam setup pushed me to refine my skills, and the care put into planning, capturing clean B-roll, and perfecting sound design resulted in a final product I’m incredibly proud of. Working with Homes by Creation to showcase Crossfield reminded me why I love videography: it’s about crafting stories that invite viewers to connect with a place and its people.

If you’re a business owner looking to bring your brand or community to life through cinematic visuals, let’s connect. At Ackroyd Videography, I’m passionate about turning your vision into compelling stories. Reach out today, and let’s create something extraordinary together.