Client: China Open
Producer: Markus Ruf
Location: Madrid
China Open contacted us to shoot tennis stars Nadal, Djokovic in a commercial for the China Open tournament. Discover more about how the shoot unfolded!
The China Open is one of the most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world, and when the opportunity arose to create a commercial featuring tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, BonitaWorld/ Camera Crew Spain knew it had to be perfect.
As part of the marketing strategy to promote the event, China Open reached out to us to handle the filming of a high-profile TVC (television commercial) in Madrid. With its extensive production experience since 2008 and cutting-edge technology, Camera Crew Spain played a key role in bringing this ambitious project to life.
We had to shoot a commercial featuring two of the world’s best tennis players, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The goal was to capture the power, emotion, and drive that these world-class athletes are known for.
Given the prominence of these athletes in the sport, the production had to be carried out with the highest level of precision and professionalism. The pressure was high, driven not only by the client’s high expectations but also by the logistical challenges of shooting a major commercial with two global superstars.
The shoot for the China Open commercial was set to take place in Madrid, Spain, at the AC Hotel, which presented a unique set of challenges. Although the location had limited space, the production team made it work. To achieve the desired effects, we decided to build a green screen studio right in the hotel. This allowed the shoot to run smoothly despite the limited space.
The green screen technology gave us the flexibility we needed in post-production, making it possible to digitally enhance the background and add dramatic visual effects that matched the intensity of the sport. This was key to creating the commercial that China Open envisioned.
To capture high-quality footage, we used Arri Alexa cameras, renowned in the film and television industry for their ability to deliver stunning, cinematic visuals. Known for their superior image quality, the Arri Alexa cameras were the perfect choice to film such a high-profile project.
The cameras were used to shoot the action poses. The final result was a visually striking commercial that perfectly captured the energy, vibe, and excitement of the China Open.
Producing a commercial of this scale is no easy task. From managing logistics to making sure the actors feel comfortable, every little detail matters. Our team at Camera Crew Spain in Madrid was key in handling these challenges.
Since the China Open production team is based in Beijing and the shoot was in Madrid, it would have been tough to manage everything without a local partner. That’s where Camera Crew Spain came in. We brought our production and local expertise to make sure everything ran smoothly. We did well. As reflected in the testimonial at the end, the client was extremely satisfied with the results.
As mentioned, one of the major hurdles for the China Open was managing the logistics of the shoot location in Madrid. However, our team took charge of liaising with the AC Hotel, ensuring that the space would meet the technical requirements of the shoot. This included visiting the hotel to assess the location firsthand and providing suggestions to improve the production environment.
Furthermore, Camera Crew Spain sourced additional locations to ensure that the production could be carried out smoothly and efficiently. Camera Crew Spain’s proactive approach to problem-solving was critical in overcoming the space limitations of the hotel and making sure the shoot was a success.
During the production, we at Camera Crew Spain brought a high level of professionalism, efficiency, and respect for everyone involved in the shoot. Having worked with many production teams in the past, the China Open team expressed how impressed they were with the quality of our service, as reflected in the testimonial that follows.
Our respectful and well-organized approach helped create a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved – from the crew to the players. With top-tier athletes like Nadal and Djokovic on set, it was crucial to make them feel comfortable and at ease. Thanks to our team’s commitment to creating a positive atmosphere, the players were able to focus on their performances and truly enjoy the shoot.
We engaged the services of Bonitaworld to assist in the production of the TVC, and it was by far the most important decision that we made in the entire production process. Having to coordinate the information for the TVC shoot from Beijing would have been impossible with out the assistance of Markus Ruf as we faced dual pressures of late production request and preparation and the difficult nature of the shoot location (shooting in a small space inside the AC Hotel in Madrid. Markus’ proved invaluable in helping liaise with the venue including visiting the hotel and also sourcing additional locations of his own intiative, his astute selection of the production crew and the sourcing of the technical equipment as well as his foresight in identifying potential production issues proved crucial to us in producing a quality TVC. During the production, the team was professional, respectful and efficient, allowing us to achieve our production desires and ensure that the players were comfortable and enjoyed the shoot experience. Having worked with numerous production skills during my career in PR and marketing, I was pleasantly impressed by the services provided by Markus and the Bonitaworld team. I would have no hesitation in engaging Bonitaworld to produce content for China Open should the need arise in the future and would strongly recommend Bonitaworld as a production partner to other organisations. Best regards, Stephen Duckitt.
Producer Stephen Duckitt
Producer, ATP China Open, China
