The brief...
We have been commissioned to film the construction progress of X1 Michigan Towers, an iconic new development in the centre of MediaCityUK. Building on the success of X1 Media City, the towers form part of a growing waterside neighbourhood connected to the wider Manchester region through the nearby Metrolink
Filming takes place every eight weeks to document the progression of the development. Each visit combines aerial drone footage with interior construction shots, capturing key stages of the build and activity across the site. Notes provided by the X1 team guide the filming, allowing us to target specific areas and milestones during each visit
The result...
The X1 Michigan Towers videos are edited to around 90 seconds, providing a clear update on the development’s progress. Drone footage is used to show the height reached on the towers and to capture exterior works across the structure, including crane activity and construction teams working on the upper levels. These aerial views reveal areas that cannot be filmed from the ground while also placing the development within the wider MediaCityUK setting
Using the 70mm drone lens, we are also able to capture close detail of structural works higher up the building, giving a clearer view of progress on the façade and other construction elements. Interior shots document the ongoing work inside the building, while notes from the X1 team are overlaid onto the relevant scenes to highlight key milestones across the site. The videos are shared on the X1 Developments official YouTube and LinkedIn pages, keeping investors and the wider audience informed as the project progresses
Behind the lens...
Each update is filmed on site using a combination of drone footage and handheld cameras for the interior construction areas. The drone is flown with both 24mm and 70mm lenses, allowing us to capture wide views of the development as well as tighter architectural detail on the structure, cranes and façade as the building rises
Inside the building we film using a Lumix full frame camera paired with a 24-70mm lens, mounted on a DJI Ronin gimbal for stable movement through the construction floors. A Rode microphone is attached to capture any on-site audio when required. By returning to the site every eight weeks, we create a consistent visual record of the build as the towers continue to rise within the MediaCity and Manchester skyline
