The brief
Showcasing Cutting-Edge Chemical Engineering Facilities at Southampton
The University of Southampton has made a huge investment in its chemical engineering lab, equipping it with cutting-edge resources to provide students with the best possible training for their futures. They initially approached us to create a high-impact chemical engineering lab tour video to showcase these facilities. But we saw an opportunity to tell a stronger story—one that focused not just on the labs themselves, but on the students leveraging these state-of-the-art resources to drive real-world innovation.
Rather than a standard corporate tour, we pitched a concept centred around student aspirations. We asked them how they wanted to make an impact and how the university’s labs and training would help them get there. The goal was to create something human and relatable, ensuring the film resonated with prospective STEM students and showcased the university’s role in shaping future engineers.
What we did
Once the concept was approved, we set everything in motion. We recorded interviews with students—but with a twist. Instead of traditional on-camera interviews, we captured audio-only conversations. This approach not only sped up production by removing the need for a dedicated interview setup, but it also allowed us to craft a film that was entirely visual, keeping the audience engaged through compelling STEM storytelling and immersive visual content.
Over two days, we filmed in the labs, capturing dynamic b-roll of students and faculty using advanced lab equipment. Every shot was carefully considered, with a strong focus on lighting and composition to make the most of the space and create a cinematic feel.
In post-production, our structured approach to recording meant we had a clear plan, allowing us to seamlessly match the footage to the students’ narratives. We also incorporated clear but visually engaging text graphics throughout the film to highlight key points and reinforce the storytelling in a way that felt modern and accessible. The result was a visually-driven, compelling piece that set a new benchmark for university promotional videos by showcasing both cutting-edge facilities and student ambition.
The technical
Concept
Story development
Scripting
Interview planning & questions
3 days of production
Asset creation
Animation
Post-production
Music licensing
The result
World class facilities
We loved working on this film. The lab was a fascinating space, the people were fantastic, and the brief pushed us creatively. The final film is an inspiring showcase of the university’s world-class chemical engineering programme—it’s engaging, visually dynamic, and, most importantly, it tells a meaningful story. We think it’s pretty exciting that this film will play a part in attracting the next generation of chemical engineers who will help shape the future.
Want to create an engaging STEM recruitment video for your university? Let’s chat!
