When the Embassy of Lebanon approached us to film their annual diplomatic reception, the brief was clear: capture the elegance and significance of the event while remaining completely invisible.
Diplomatic events operate under a different set of rules. Every attendee is high-profile. Every interaction is potentially sensitive. There are areas you cannot film, people who cannot appear on camera, and protocols that must be followed to the letter.
Our preparation started two weeks before the event. We conducted a full site walk-through with the embassy's security team, mapping approved angles, restricted zones, and the exact flow of the evening. We identified our key shots — the ambassador's welcome address, the cultural performance, and the networking reception — and planned our positioning for each.
On the night, we deployed a three-person team. One operator was dedicated to formal coverage — wide establishing shots and the official program. A second captured candid moments among guests. The third handled detail work — the table settings, the artwork, the architecture of the space.
We shot entirely on prime lenses with natural lighting. No flash, no video lights, no attention-drawing equipment. Our cameras were dressed in black with tape over any LED indicators. We wore formal attire matching the dress code.
The edit followed the same philosophy of restraint. No flashy transitions. No dramatic music. Just a clean, elegant presentation that honored the gravity of the occasion. The final piece was reviewed by the embassy's communications office before delivery.
The ambassador personally called to thank us. He said it was the first time their events had been captured in a way that truly reflected the dignity of the occasion. That call led to three more embassy commissions across Europe.