Filming in Mexico City
A two-day production inspired by Japanese culture.
WhereNext collaborates with director Eric Micotto to film an episode of car maker Infiniti’s 'The Makers' YouTube series in Mexico City.
WhereNext provided logistics and a field production team in support of a two-day video shoot that featured Japanese cars with the mesmerizing architecture, history, and culture of Mexico City. The result: a standout episode for a globally recognized YouTube series. Join us while filming in Mexico City.
The Mission and Challenge
WhereNext and creative partner Erick Micotto mission was to artfully portray Mexico City's traditional, ancestral, and modern elegance while highlighting the exotic features of a new line of cars. The challenge was to efficiently navigate the bustling streets of this vast expanse, with its 1,400 km2 and teeming population, and complete the shoot in a two-day period.
Scouting and Logistics
In short productions, time management is paramount. Our primary goal was to cover multiple locations seamlessly. Armed with a thorough understanding of peak traffic hours, distances, and the city's finest spots, WhereNext’s Mexico city-based producer, Daniela Beltrán, tackled the challenge head-on.
Our initial focus was to scout locations that perfectly accentuated the car's attributes. We sought wide, tree-lined streets with preferably more than three lanes, modern buildings, and urban design. We chose the ideal spot in Santa Fe, offering expansive open spaces for capturing captivating shots of the vehicle.
Field Production
On day one, we ventured to the city's historic center to make the most of the pre-sunset hours. Here, we aimed to capture the car amidst traditional colonial architecture, intertwining the story of our main character's admiration for the city.
On the second day, we headed south to seize the sunrise from a high-speed elevated route crossing the entire city. This vantage point showcased the majestic volcanoes and mountains in the distance. Returning to the city center, we captured additional shots of the car against multiple backdrops.
Our final scene brought us to the beautiful avenues of Polanco, where swaying palms and vibrant jacarandas created the perfect ambiance for the film.
The Result
Eric and the WhereNext team had plenty of time in fantastic locations to capture the best of Mexico City’s essence, showcasing the car's elegance and the rich tapestry of this remarkable destination.
The Story: “A Shot of Sake”
This branded content film is part of a YouTube series called The Makers. The series embarks on a worldwide quest to discover creators inspired by Japanese culture in different fields like art, jewelry, couture, and gastronomy.
Our film showcased the crafting of Mexican Sake, a departure from Mexico’s traditional tequila culture. This unexpected fusion was a natural progression for the founders of Nami Sake, stemming from their passion for Japanese culture and their desire to share it with the world. To craft the first Mexican sake, they flew to Japan, seeking the expertise of a sake master who could guide them in the art of making this traditional Japanese rice wine.
One of the Makers’ biggest challenges is educating people about what sake is and how it can be enjoyed beyond Japanese cuisine. By balancing tradition and innovation, Nami Sake created a fresh taste that is true to Japanese tradition but infused with a Mexican heart.
This episode of The Makers explores the birth of Nami Sake, the founders’ journey to Japan, the importance of quality ingredients, the educational challenges, breaking misconceptions, balancing tradition and innovation, the role of passion in the process, and the Mexican touch.
Learn more about WhereNext’s Mexico-based film production services HERE.
Read about the journey which led to the creation our production company in Mexico. WhereNext’s founder Gregg Bleakney cycled the length of Mexico, in four months, during the course of his two-year marathon traverse of the Americas, from Alaska to Patagonia.