Dan Goldberg Serves Up Heaps of Motion and Stills for Bibigo

As we ride the COVID roller coaster and plan for a future that fluctuates daily, clients face many unknowns regarding advertising production. Because of this, they search for creative partners who will help weather any storm as well as provide top notch content. Knowing that Dan Goldberg has the creativity, connections, and skill-set needed to make their Bibigo project happen, Upshot partnered with him without hesitation.

Dan Goldberg wins jobs because he takes the time to think through how he would shoot the campaign well before it being awarded. For Bibigo and Upshot, the ideal scenario included shooting on a hipster balcony in Chicago, which was nearly impossible to come by during lock down. Dan is a creative unicorn because he goes above and beyond creating stills and motion by bringing ideas, solutions, and deep resources — and he delivered for Bibigo. 

Shot on the rooftop of the Conrad Hotel with talent quarantining together, Dan directed motion and stills for one of his first food lifestyle campaigns.

What did you learn on this project?

In preparation for this project, I researched what the right camera was to use and ended up learning about a different way of shooting.

The Bibigo campaign is one that I both directed and shot the stills. I worked with an amazing DP and Producer who both recommended shooting the Sony Venice in Realto mode. The goal was to shoot this from a first-person point of view. The front image block of the Sony Venice is detachable. So, we took it apart to make the DP mobile while still tethering the block with a cable, allowing us to get the right perspective. 

We were able to add efficiency by changing the neutral density filter without needing direct access to the camera. We had such great results that I’ve since used the camera on a GE job as well. 

I also learned that, while challenging, you can accomplish anything while working with 40 people during a pandemic!

What is a memorable moment?

The most memorable moment is one that still stays with me. We organized a dinner with the client and agency, hosting them over at the studio. We set up a big long table, inside, arranging people 6 feet apart. This celebration brought a sense of normalcy while still keeping safety top of mind, which was especially important at a time when things were really scary.

What would you like people to take away after seeing your work?

When a project comes across my desk, I immediately think about how I will shoot it. And, in this day and age, I’ve already thought through how we can pull this off with any restrictions that might be put in place. Being overly prepared, even before the creative call, with location scouting, researching cameras, and anything else, pays off. I go into the creative call with total confidence, having already shot the project in my head.

Follow Dan on Instagram for more unpretentious narratives with food and gathering at the center.