Saratoga | Be Still
A cinematic, athlete-focused 30-second spec commercial for Saratoga Water, conceptualized and executed in under 24 hours on a micro-budget. "Be Still" leverages moody lighting, strategic stock footage, and the iconic philosophy of Bruce Lee to position Saratoga as the premium hydration choice for focused, high-performing individuals.
[Client]
Saratoga
[Year]
2026
[Services]
Commercial Production, Directing, Lighting, Post-Production
[Catagory]
Project Objectives:
Produce a compelling, high-retention 30-second spec commercial within a strict 24-hour turnaround time.
Execute a high-end, cinematic visual style while keeping total production expenses under $20.
Align with Saratoga Water's current brand positioning by targeting an athletic, high-performance demographic (inspired by their existing Skylar Diggins campaigns).
Project Scope:
Pre-production:
Conceptualized and scripted a narrative centered around athletic focus and stillness.
Scouted and secured accessible, zero-cost locations, creatively utilizing a local complex gym and a residential living space.
Collaborated closely with production partner Ulices Aguiar to coordinate the shoot, maximize efficiency, and manage the tight timeline.
Production:
Filmed principal photography on location, utilizing strategic angles to make everyday spaces look like premium, isolated environments.
Sourced high-quality stock footage that seamlessly matched the intended theme, moody vibe, and narrative arc of the ad.
Employed inventive lighting techniques to elevate the product shots; utilized a spotlight to carve out the shape of the bottle and small handheld lights to create dynamic sweeps that accentuated its details.
Post-production:
Edited the visual sequence to be rhythmically driven by the pacing and philosophical voiceover of Bruce Lee.
Designed a rich, immersive soundscape by layering specific sound effects and ambient noise to heighten the moody atmosphere.
Meticulously color-matched and color-graded the original camera files with the sourced stock clips to ensure a cohesive, premium aesthetic throughout the piece.
Results: "Be Still" culminated in a moody, enthralling, and highly cinematic commercial. The precise pacing, cohesive color palette, and premium visual treatment successfully elevated the product, proving that high-end brand aesthetics can be achieved regardless of budget size.
Lessons Learned:
Extreme constraints—whether time or budget—often act as the ultimate catalyst for resourcefulness and creative problem-solving.
Producing an expensive-looking, premium commercial on a micro-budget is entirely possible through strategic lighting, intentional sound design, and meticulous color grading.
