To support Capital One’s EVP drive and attract top talent, I led the production of a video aimed at potential recruits while also engaging current associates to vote in the upcoming Great Places to Work awards. The video featured associates sharing their experiences, aiming to evoke an emotional and authentic connection with viewers. The key stakeholders were the HR and Recruitment teams, whose goal was to create a compelling narrative that would give viewers a sense of the inclusive, supportive culture at Capital One.

Objective and Approach

The video aimed to convey warmth, authenticity, and a sense of community. To achieve this, we used neutral, welcoming backgrounds that allowed the focus to remain on the associates’ stories. The visual style included multiple camera angles and elements of the filming setup, such as clapper boards and light reflections, to add a documentary-like feel. This “behind-the-scenes” approach aimed to make the video feel genuine and unedited, enhancing the authenticity of each story shared.

Process and Collaboration

I directed the project from planning through post-production, collaborating with HR and recruitment to identify key messages—such as community, career progression, and making a positive impact on customers. We scouted associates who had shown camera presence in previous projects and represented a diverse range of profiles.

The process included:

• Pre-production Planning: We worked with HR to finalize interview questions, ensuring they would elicit meaningful, impactful responses in short 20-minute filming sessions.
• Filming Setup: On filming days, I used a 4-point lighting rig, three cameras (two static, one manned), and microphones for a professional but intimate setup.
• Post-production: I edited the footage in Premiere Pro, blending interview content with B-roll footage of the office environment to showcase the collaborative atmosphere. The final edit included audio leveling, background music, color correction, and multiple formats for distribution on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and internal digital screens.

Results and Impact

The video received praise from associates and leadership alike. HR stakeholders commented that the professional quality of the video exceeded their expectations, leading them to request more video-based communications for future campaigns. This positive reception and increased demand for video content demonstrated the project's success.

Reflection and Learning

The most rewarding aspect of this project was planning a professional shoot with a small team and refining the process to be efficient. Creating a comfortable filming environment for participants was crucial, so I developed clear guidelines on what to expect, how to prepare, and what to wear. This approach ensured that future shoots ran smoothly, saving time and allowing for more ambitious filming sessions.