Cabot Unboxing
The Creative Brief
Cabot Creamery - Spec Commercial Concept
Sharp Cheddar Films created this spec spot as an unconventional take on the unboxing video - an elegant, story-driven piece designed to feel elevated, nostalgic, and distinctly Vermont. Rather than simply revealing what’s inside a box, we built a cinematic narrative around the unboxing itself, reflecting Cabot’s century-long heritage and timeless character.
Visually, the spot contrasts black-and-white cinematography with vintage, filmic color product shots, a creative choice meant to place viewers inside the photographer’s perspective. To achieve this look, we built a custom black-and-white LUT in Adobe Premiere using the FilmConvert plugin, which allowed us to preview and dial in the intended film stock aesthetic directly on set. In post, we refined the treatment with FilmConvert’s Hazy plugin, adding a soft bloom to the highlights for a nostalgic, dreamlike quality.
Camera movement remained clean and deliberate - dolly, tripod, and gimbal - to give the piece an elegant flow, letting the textures, tones, and storytelling take center stage. The result: a spec film that transforms a simple unboxing into a sophisticated, sensory experience, honoring Cabot’s heritage while presenting their product with cinematic artistry.
Behind The Scenes
Photon Theory
Morgan’s key light was typically set as a three-quarter book light using an Aputure 600x - bounced into a 4x4 bead board and then pushed through a 4x4 frame of 250 diffusion. At times, we swapped this for a 300x bounced at a three-quarter angle off-axis, creating a classic Rembrandt look. In this setup, the shadow side of the face holds a distinct triangle of light just beneath the eye, achieved by setting the key at the precise height needed for the photons to clear the bridge of the nose.
To control contrast, we placed a 4x4 black floppy flag just outside of frame on the fill side. When needed, a small bead board was brought in under Morgan - either to lift unwanted shadows or to add a subtle catch light in her eyes.
For separation, a hair light was provided by an Aputure 60x through a small light box. The background was shaped with an Aputure 1200d, paired with either a Fresnel and barndoors for a controlled beam or a reflector attachment for a broader wash.
Stills
Team Credits
Produced by: Sharp Cheddar Films
Directed by: Sharp Cheddar Films & Michael Fisher
Director of Photography + Editorial: Sharp Cheddar Films
Gaffer: Michael Fisher
Staring: Morgan Harrewyn
Shake & Bake
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