What happens when branded content feels more like a short film?
How Carrie Met Sally – Cinematography for Branded Storytelling
I recently collaborated with OutFox on How Carrie Met Sally, a playful branded film for Employment Hero. The video tells the story of Carrie, an employer facing a staffing crisis, and Sally, a job seeker looking for new challenges. Instead of presenting these situations through a straightforward product demo, the creative team turned it into a short story about two characters whose lives intersect thanks to Employment Hero’s platform.
Finding the Right Tone
As cinematographer, my goal was to create visuals that felt warm, approachable, and cinematic. We wanted the film to have the polish of a commercial while still leaving space for the humour and performances to shine. I shot on a RED Monstro paired with Schneider Xenon lenses, leaning into high-key lighting to give the piece a bright, contemporary finish that reflected the optimism of the story.
Collaboration with the Director
I worked closely with director Simon Jarosz, who I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with many times before. Simon is a fantastic artist—his storyboards are not only beautifully drawn but also incredibly precise, which makes my job a joy. His ability to visualise the rhythm of a scene means we can plan shots in a way that balances clarity with creativity, and that’s something I love bringing to life on set.
Cinematographer’s Notes
For this project I leaned into the Monstro’s wide dynamic range to keep highlights crisp while maintaining detail in skin tones. The Schneider Xenons gave us a clean, neutral look—perfect for a polished commercial style without distracting character. Our lighting approach was deliberately high key, with soft, even sources to keep the frame bright and playful. The goal was for every shot to feel inviting and effortless, aligning with the light-hearted tone of the story.
The Joy of Branded Storytelling
How Carrie Met Sally is a great example of how branded content can still feel cinematic, character-driven, and memorable. Even when the brief is centred on highlighting a product or platform, there’s space for humour, humanity, and craft. For me, the reward lies in finding that sweet spot where message and filmmaking meet—where a brand story also feels like a film.