Butterfly Project · Full Campaign Document · Marriott International Toronto · Confidential
Employer Branding · Marriott International · Toronto
The Butterfly
Project
Three hotels. Three truths. One campaign.
Video I
Originality
Video II
Generosity
Video III
Empowerment
Production Note · Talent Profiles
Who these videos
are speaking to
Each hotel speaks to a distinct profile. These videos don't recruit everyone — they speak to those who recognize themselves in what they see. Three pillars. Three natures. One campaign.
W Hotels Toronto
Originality · WHATEVER/WHENEVER™
« Curating Originality Takes Talent — Where Your Natural Talent Is Celebrated »
- Talent is the pulse of the brand and the essence of the guest experience
- They are magnetic and attentive and connect through our WHATEVER/WHENEVER™ service promise
- W Hotels is a place to experience, to open doors, and open minds
- We share our guests' passion to explore their free-spirited nature
- Target profiles: DJs, bartenders, creative front desk, housekeeping with personality, chefs — those whose natural energy IS the product
St. Regis Toronto
Generosity · The Original House of Luxury
« Make the Everyday Exquisite »
- We curate experiences through rituals that have been celebrated for over 100 years (Connected)
- The Original House of Luxury — standards carried since the very beginning
- Delivering exquisite experiences artfully, gracefully and flawlessly (Passionate)
- Generosity here means giving your very best in every gesture, every ritual, every plate
- Target profiles: Executive Chef, brigade, pastry chef, sommelier, maître d'hôtel — culinary excellence and the art of ritual as a calling
Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Empowerment · Be Legendary · Be Transformed · Be Proud
« Beautiful Stories Begin Here — The Gold Standard in Hospitality »
- Magical stories blossom here — because of you (Be Legendary, Be Transformed, Be Proud)
- You'll be empowered to make our guests' lives richer by leaving them amazed in unexpected ways
- We thrive because of our exceptional and transformative team
- Empowerment means every team member has the authority to create an unforgettable moment — without asking for permission
- Target profiles: Concierge, maître d'hôtel, restaurant director, sommelier, floor staff — those with the sensitivity to orchestrate the unimaginable
Absolute rule across all three shoot days: if a moment feels forced, we reshoot. A mechanical gesture or a played-up smile destroys the effect in a fraction of a second for someone who has spent years in this industry. That is precisely who we are targeting.
Video I · Originality
W Hotels
« Curating Originality Takes Talent »
Talent is the pulse of the brand. The energy, personality and style of each team member is the guest experience. Magnetic. Free-spirited. WHATEVER/WHENEVER™.
« Don't work the shift. Shape the night. »
Video II · Generosity
St. Regis
« Make the Everyday Exquisite »
The Original House of Luxury. The Chef and brigade transform every service into a ritual — artfully, gracefully, flawlessly — carried forward for over 100 years.
« Don't cook a dish. Create a ritual. »
Video III · Empowerment
Ritz-Carlton
« Beautiful Stories Begin Here »
The team secretly orchestrates a perfect marriage proposal. At Ritz-Carlton, every person is empowered to create a legendary moment — without asking for permission.
« Don't join a team. Author a life. »
Script · Video I
W Hotels Toronto
Originality · WHATEVER/WHENEVER™
W Hotels Toronto
« Curating Originality Takes Talent »
30"
MessageBrand truth
At W — talent isn't what you bring to the job.
It's what the guest actually feels.
It's what the guest actually feels.
At W, the product is the atmosphere — and that atmosphere is built by people whose personality and originality are the guest experience. Magnetic. Free-spirited. WHATEVER/WHENEVER™. Their natural talent is celebrated here, never contained.
« Talent is the pulse of the brand and the essence of the guest experience. »
OpeningShot series — originality in action · 1.5–2 sec each
Dynamic handheld shots, high-contrast neon + natural light. Music: slow bass pulse. Every shot says: this person IS W.
Shot 01
DJ at soundcheck — adjusts the levels, closes his eyes, smiles to himself
The way he sets the mood IS the service. Not the cocktail — the vibe.
Shot 02
Bartender shake — fluid movement, confident gaze, fully owned style
Magnetic and attentive. WHATEVER/WHENEVER™ in a single gesture.
Shot 03
Front desk — genuine burst of laughter with a guest, real, unscripted
Open doors, open minds. Connection always comes first.
Shot 04
Housekeeping dancing alone while turning down the room
Free-spirited even when no one is watching. The energy is always there.
Shot 05
Chef plating to the rhythm of the kitchen music — originality and precision at once
The hotel's beat runs through everything, even the kitchen.
Shot 06
Guest walks into the lobby — stops, feels something immediately
He doesn't know where it comes from. We do. That's their talent.
RewindThe chain of causes — what creates the vibe
The briefing
←
The playlist chosen
←
The lighting
←
The scent
←
The style owned
←
The natural talent
←
The right person
Voice overTone: direct, urban, confident — speaks to the creative ego
At W, we don't hire people to fill roles.
We find people whose natural talent becomes the experience.
— pause —
Magnetic. Free-spirited. WHATEVER/WHENEVER™.
— pause —
This isn't a hotel.
It's the stage your originality deserves.
« Don't work the shift. Shape the night. »
W Hotels Toronto · Careers · [link / QR code]
Want to learn more about what we're looking for?
Here's how we're going to film it.
Here's how we're going to film it.
↓
Production Breakdown · Video I
W Hotels Toronto
Shoot Plan
W Hotels Toronto
Energy · Personality · Performance
Shoot: 1 day + 1 evening
Talent on screen: 5–6 people
Shots: ~14 shots
Critical timing: Evening from 8 PM
Locations
Lobby · Bar · Kitchen · Rooftop · Corridor
Light
Natural daylight + neon evening. No added lighting.
Camera
Handheld / shoulder rig · Dynamic movement
Sound
Capture real ambient sound — music, laughter, bar noise
Opening6 Energy Shots — Fast-Cut Sequence~12 sec edited · 1.5–2 sec / shot
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-01 | DJ at soundcheck — adjusts level, closes eyes, smiles to himself DJ area / BarDJ (staff or external)Evening | Medium · handheld | 35mm | Smile must be spontaneous — multiple takes, keep the real one. |
| W-02 | Bartender shake — fluid, confident look toward the guest BarSenior bartenderEvening | Tight · static | 85mm | Film hands AND face. Neon light on hands. |
| W-03 | Front desk — genuine burst of laughter with a guest, not forced Lobby / ReceptionFront desk agent | Medium · handheld | 35mm | Don't script the laugh. Create a real situation. |
| W-04 | Housekeeping dancing alone while turning down the room Room or corridorHousekeeping (volunteer)Morning | Wide · handheld | 24mm | Shoot from doorway — intentional voyeur effect. |
| W-05 | Chef plating to the rhythm of the kitchen ambient music KitchenChef de partie or sous-chefEvening service | Tight · static | 50mm | We want the rhythm in the gesture. Film hands + plate. |
| W-06 | Guest walks into lobby — stops for a split second, feels the vibe Lobby entranceExtra or real guestEvening | Wide · static | 24mm | Shoot from inside toward the door. Subtle stop — not theatrical. |
RewindThe Chain of Causes — Behind-the-Scenes Shots~8 sec edited · ~1 sec / shot
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W-07 | Staff briefing — standing pre-service meeting, manager + team Back of houseManager + 4–6 staff | Medium · static | 35mm | Real moment if possible. Cool back-of-house light. |
| W-08 | Playlist being set — hands on laptop or DJ console, song titles scrolling Back office or DJ booth | Very tight · static | 85mm macro | Communicate that the music is a decision, not an accident. |
| W-09 | Lighting — someone adjusting dimmers before opening Control panel or console | Tight · static | 50mm | Hand + lighting change visible in background if possible. |
| W-10 | Scent — someone refilling the diffuser Lobby or corridor | Macro · static | 85mm macro | Very tight on the bottle. Abstract but clear. |
| W-11 | Look — employee checking their style in a mirror before taking their post Staff locker room or corridor | Medium · static | 50mm | The mirror is key. Face visible in the reflection. |
| W-12 | Training — manager showing something to a team member, both focused on the same point Back of house | Medium · handheld | 35mm | Concrete gesture — show, correct, validate. No PowerPoint. |
| W-13 | Hiring decision — HR manager closes a file, nods HR officeHR Manager | Tight · static | 85mm | Closing the file = decision made. Decisive gesture. |
End FrameFinal Shot + Logo~5 sec
| W-14 | Rooftop or lobby at night — lights, atmosphere, life Rooftop or facadeNightfall | Wide · static | 24mm | Contemplative shot. Fade to black in post. W logo. |
Pre-Shoot Checklist · W Hotels
Talent to confirm
DJ available for filmed soundcheck
Senior bartender — comfortable in front of camera
Front desk agent — natural and expressive
Housekeeping volunteer for dance shot (ask tactfully)
Chef de partie or sous-chef during service
Manager for staff briefing shot
HR Manager for hiring decision shot
Locations to clear
Kitchen access during or before evening service
Back of house access (locker room, corridors, HR office)
Rooftop access in the evening
Room available for housekeeping shot (morning)
Props to prepare
DJ console or laptop with visible playlist
Working scent diffuser
Printed file / CV for HR shot
Clean, compliant W uniforms for all talent
Script · Video II
St. Regis Toronto
Generosity · The Original House of Luxury
St. Regis Toronto
« Make the Everyday Exquisite »
30"
MessageBrand truth
At St. Regis — a dish is never just a dish.
It's a ritual 100 years in the making.
It's a ritual 100 years in the making.
St. Regis is The Original House of Luxury. In its kitchens, generosity is not measured in portion size — it is measured in the intention behind every gesture of the Chef. Artfully, gracefully, flawlessly. A century of standards alive in every single plate.
« We curate experiences through rituals that have been celebrated for over 100 years. »
OpeningTight shots — the Chef and brigade · raking golden light · 2.5–3 sec each
The emphasis is on the Chef. His hands, his decisions, his relationship with the ingredient. Natural raking light. Music: solo piano, one note that returns.
Shot 01
Chef tasting a sauce mid-service — closes his eyes, adjusts, tastes again
Interior demand. Not for the guest — for himself. Passionate.
Shot 02
Chef's hands on a precise cut — a gesture repeated thousands of times, never automatic
Ritual as foundation. Artfully, gracefully.
Shot 03
Pastry chef decorating a plate — fine brush, one stroke, steps back to check
Every plate is a work. Flawlessly.
Shot 04
Sommelier presenting a pairing to the Chef — both study the glass, exchange a glance
The generosity of shared expertise. Connected.
Shot 05
The plate leaves for the dining room — Chef watches it go, satisfied
That look. You can't teach it.
→ The guest takes a bite. Stops. Sets down the fork. Eyes close for a fraction of a second. They don't know this moment was 100 years in the making.
RewindThe chain of causes — from the plate to the ritual
The plate
←
The Chef's gesture
←
The interior demand
←
Years of practice
←
100 years of St. Regis ritual
←
The Chef who chose this level
Voice overTone: understated, generous — speaks to the passion of the craft
At St. Regis, a dish is never just a dish.
It's a ritual. Curated artfully, gracefully, flawlessly.
— pause —
For over 100 years, this house has set the standard
for what exquisite truly means.
— pause —
That standard lives in people like you.
Passionate. Connected. Generous with every plate.
« Don't cook a dish. Create a ritual. »
St. Regis Toronto · Careers · [link / QR code]
Want to learn more about what we're looking for?
Here's how we're going to film it.
Here's how we're going to film it.
↓
Production Breakdown · Video II
St. Regis Toronto
Shoot Plan
St. Regis Toronto
The Chef · Ritual · 100 Years of Standard
Shoot: 1 day (morning + afternoon)
Talent on screen: 4–5 people
Shots: ~11 shots
Critical timing: Early morning golden light
Locations
Kitchen · Pastry · Wine cellar · Dining room · Back office
Light
Natural raking light only. No added light. Early morning preferred.
Camera
Tripod or very stable shoulder. Tight shots on hands and details.
Music
Solo piano, slow — one note that returns throughout.
OpeningThe Chef & Brigade — Tight Gesture Shots~15 sec edited · 2.5–3 sec / shot
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR-01 | Chef tasting a sauce mid-service — closes eyes, adjusts, tastes again KitchenExecutive ChefDuring service | Tight · static | 85mm | Interior demand, not performance. Let it happen, don't ask for it. |
| SR-02 | Chef's hands on a precise cut — gesture repeated thousands of times, never automatic Prep kitchenChef / Sous-chefMorning prep | Very tight · static | 85mm macro | Hands only. Natural raking morning light. Slow, deliberate pace. |
| SR-03 | Pastry chef decorating a plate — fine brush, one stroke, steps back to check Pastry kitchenPastry chef | Tight · static | 85mm | The step back to verify is the key gesture. Film it. |
| SR-04 | Sommelier presenting a pairing to the Chef — both study the glass, exchange a glance Wine cellar or kitchenSommelier + Chef | Medium · static | 50mm | The shared look between them is the shot. Let it linger. |
| SR-05 | The plate leaves for the dining room — Chef follows it with his eyes, satisfied Pass / Kitchen exitChef | Medium · static | 50mm | Film the Chef's face, not the plate. That look is the whole story. |
| SR-06 | Guest takes a bite — stops, sets fork down, eyes close for one second Dining room · table1 guest extra | Tight · static | 85mm | Profile shot. Reaction must be instinctive, not acted. Multiple takes. |
RewindThe Chain of Causes — From Plate to Ritual~8 sec edited · ~1 sec / shot
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR-07 | Standards manual or recipe card on a lectern — a hand turning a page Physical standards document or recipe bookKitchen | Macro · static | 85mm macro | Evocative, not readable. The weight of the document matters. |
| SR-08 | Mentorship — senior chef correcting a junior's gesture, hand guiding the hand Kitchen2 chefs (visible seniority difference) | Tight · static | 85mm | Hands on hands. This is transmission, not instruction. |
| SR-09 | HR or GM closing an interview — slow, intentional handshake HR officeHR or GM + extra candidate | Medium · static | 50mm | The handshake says: you belong here. Slow, deliberate. |
End FrameFinal Shot + Logo~5 sec
| SR-10 | Empty dining room in early morning light — a single table set to perfection Dining roomVery early morning | Wide · tripod | 24mm | Silence before service. The promise of the day. St. Regis logo. |
Pre-Shoot Checklist · St. Regis
Talent to confirm
Executive Chef — comfortable on camera, available during prep and service
Pastry chef available for decoration shot (no service pressure)
Sommelier — wine cellar accessible, natural light available
Senior chef + junior for mentorship shot
HR or GM for interview closing shot
1 guest extra for dining reaction shot
Locations to clear
Kitchen and pastry kitchen — morning prep window
Wine cellar or cave — natural light, clean
Dining room — very early morning before staff arrival
HR office for interview shot
Props to prepare
Physical standards manual or recipe book (real, not printed)
Clean wine glasses ×6 minimum
Dessert plate prepared morning of shoot (pastry shot)
Impeccable St. Regis uniforms for all talent
Script · Video III
Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Empowerment · Be Legendary · Be Transformed · Be Proud
Ritz-Carlton Toronto
« Beautiful Stories Begin Here »
30"
MessageBrand truth
At The Ritz-Carlton —
the most important moment of someone's life
doesn't happen by accident.
the most important moment of someone's life
doesn't happen by accident.
At Ritz-Carlton, every team member is empowered — they have the authority and the sensitivity to create an unforgettable moment without asking for permission. This film proves it: a man wants to propose. The Ritz secretly orchestrates everything he wouldn't dare imagine. Beautiful stories begin here. Because of you.
« You'll be empowered to make our guests' lives richer by leaving them amazed in unexpected ways. »
Trigger00:00–00:04 · What sets everything in motion
Single cinematic opening shot. Everything is understood in 4 seconds — without a single word.
Shot 01 · Key shot
A man on the phone in the lobby, back to camera. His right hand grips a small box in his jacket pocket. He hangs up. He breathes. In the background, the concierge gives a subtle nod. The signal is sent.
Everything begins here. In silence. Without the guest knowing.
Butterfly Effect00:04–00:22 · Alternating edit — backstage ↔ the couple approaching
Each link is activated in secret while the couple approaches, unaware. The viewer knows. The couple doesn't — not yet.
Concierge reads the notes
→
Sommelier — their bottle
→
The peonies she once noticed
→
The dessert with her name
→
Their song loaded and waiting
→
Candelabra moved 1cm
→
The silent briefing
→
She walks in. She feels it.
Fade00:22–00:25 · We don't go in
The restaurant door closes slowly. The candlelight disappears through the narrowing gap. Fade to black. We don't go in. We don't need to. What we don't see is more powerful than anything we could show.
Voice overTone: deep, timeless — speaks to pride, not to the résumé
At The Ritz-Carlton, the guest plans the proposal.
— pause —
We plan everything else.
— pause —
The champagne they shared on their very first night.
The flowers she once noticed but never mentioned.
The song that only we knew mattered.
— pause —
Beautiful stories begin here.
Because of people like you.
« Don't join a team. Author a life. »
Ritz-Carlton Toronto · Careers · [link / QR code]
Want to learn more about what we're looking for?
Here's how we're going to film it.
Here's how we're going to film it.
↓
Production Breakdown · Video III
Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Shoot Plan
Ritz-Carlton Toronto
Empowerment · The Proposal · Butterfly Effect
Shoot: 1 day (evening main shoot)
Staff on screen: 7 people
Extras (couple): 2 people
Shots: ~17 shots
Locations
Lobby · Wine Cellar · Restaurant · Kitchen · Corridor · Entrance
Light
Warm natural + candelabra. No flash or added light.
Camera
Tripod exclusively. Composed shots. No abrupt movement.
Edit rhythm
Alternating backstage ↔ couple. 1.5–2s/staff shot. 2–3s/couple shot.
Core editing principle: the film constantly alternates between the backstage (staff preparing in secret) and the innocent couple approaching. The viewer knows. The couple does not yet. This tension IS the emotion of the film — every staff shot must be filmed as if no one is watching.
00:00–00:04
Trigger
The man. The box in the pocket.
00:04–00:22
Butterfly Chain
8 staff links ↔ couple. The Ritz prepares. They approach.
00:22–00:25
Fade
The door. We don't go in.
00:25–00:30
End Frame
Voice over + logo.
TriggerOpening Shots — The Man and the Box00:00–00:04 · 3 shots · key shot of the film
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-01 | A man on the phone in the lobby, back to camera. Right hand grips a small box in his pocket. He hangs up. He breathes. Lobby · discreet cornerMale extra · dark suitLobby quiet · before evening service | Medium · tripod · from behind | 85mm | We never see his face — only the hand on the box. The breath after hanging up is the key gesture. Multiple takes, keep the most natural. |
| RCB-02 | INSERT — the box in the pocket, edge of velvet between fingers Same extra · same position | Macro · static | 85mm macro | 1.5 sec max. Velvet in warm light. No logo on the box — plain, universal. |
| RCB-03 | Concierge hangs up his phone — looks toward the room, gives a subtle nod Concierge deskSenior concierge | Medium · static | 50mm | Signal received. Calm, decided look. No smile — focus. He is going to orchestrate. |
Link 1Concierge — The Preference Notebook00:04 · ~2 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-04 | Concierge opens the notebook to the couple's page — handwritten preferences. He reads, circles a line. Concierge deskSenior conciergeHandwritten preference notebook (prepared) | Tight · tripod | 85mm | We see the writing and the circling gesture — no need to read it. Warm desk light. Years of memory visible in one shot. |
| RCB-05 | ALTERNATING — The couple in the street, laughing, approaching. Slight window blur. Couple · evening attireExterior · hotel facade | Wide · tripod · from inside | 50mm | Shoot from inside through glass. Couple blurred and happy — without knowing. This alternating shot returns 2–3× as a breath in the film. |
Link 2Sommelier — The Bottle from Their First Night00:06 · ~2 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-06 | Sommelier moves through the cellar, scans the shelves, pulls a specific bottle — looks at it, a half-second of hesitation, takes it. Wine cellarSommelierDistinctive bottle · beautiful label | Medium · tripod · cellar light | 50mm | The hesitation before taking it says everything — he knows it's the right one. Cellar = low cinematic light. Backlit bottles if possible. |
| RCB-07 | INSERT — tight on the label and hands holding it up to the light Cellar or natural light | Macro · static | 85mm macro | Vintage visible. Precise decision, not random. |
Link 3Maître d'Hôtel — The Peonies She Once Noticed00:08 · ~1.5 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-08 | Hands removing roses from the vase, replacing them with white peonies — precise, quick, no hesitation. Assigned table · restaurantMaître d'hôtel or senior chef de rangFresh white peonies · roses to removeBefore room opens | Very tight on hands · static | 85mm | Hands only. Candelabra light in background. Gesture must be fluid — professional, not dramatic. |
Link 4Pastry Chef — The Off-Menu Dessert00:09 · ~2 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-09 | Pastry chef takes a plate from the fridge — her name written in chocolate. He checks. Replaces it carefully. Pastry kitchenPastry chefDessert plate with fictional female first name in chocolate · legible, beautiful | Medium + INSERT macro · tripod | 50mm then 85mm macro | Two shots: chef pulling the plate (50mm), then INSERT on the name in chocolate (85mm macro). Fictional name — beautiful, legible. Prepared morning of shoot. |
| RCB-10 | ALTERNATING — The couple enters the lobby. She smiles. He touches his pocket for a fraction of a second. Couple · same attireLobby entrance | Wide · tripod · from inside | 35mm | His hand to his pocket is involuntary — tension. They are almost there. This alternating shot is critical for tightening the emotional grip. |
Link 5Sound Manager — Their Song, Loaded and Waiting00:12 · ~1.5 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-11 | Hands on console or laptop — song title loaded and waiting. One finger on the play button. He waits for the signal. Sound booth or restaurant back officeSound manager or maître d'hôtelMusic interface with evocative fictional title visible on screen | Macro · static | 85mm macro | Finger on play WITHOUT pressing — the wait, the precision of timing. Test screen readability before filming. |
Link 6Maître d'Hôtel — The Candelabra Moved 1cm00:14 · ~2 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-12 | Maître d'hôtel at the table — tilts his head, moves a candelabra 1cm, steps back, checks. Perfect. Assigned table · restaurantSenior maître d'hôtel | Medium · tripod · from the side | 50mm | We see both the man AND the table in the same frame. His step back to verify is the key gesture — he imagines where she will sit. Candelabra light only. |
Link 7Restaurant Director — The Silent Briefing00:16 · ~2 sec
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-13 | The director in the corridor, team in a semicircle. She says nothing. She looks at each one. A single nod. They disperse in silence. Back-of-house corridorRestaurant director + 4–5 team members | Wide · tripod · slightly elevated | 35mm | Not a word. The silence is the message — everyone knows. Leave 2 seconds after the nod for the dispersal to begin. Cool corridor light = strong contrast with the warm dining room. |
| RCB-14 | ALTERNATING — The couple, seen from behind in the access corridor, walking toward the light of the dining room. Couple · from behindAccess corridor to restaurant | Medium · tripod · from behind | 50mm | Two people walking toward their life, backlit. Most poetic shot in the film alongside RCB-01 — leave at least 2.5 seconds. |
Link 8She Enters — She Feels Something Is Different00:20 · ~3 sec · pivot shot
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-15 | She enters first. She stops. Her gaze sweeps — the flowers, the light. She doesn't know why everything is more beautiful. He places his hand on her back. Female extra · expressive gazeRestaurant entranceCandelabra light · room fully set | Medium · tripod · from inside | 50mm | Key shot of the film alongside RCB-01. Her stop must be instinctive — let her react to the actual beauty of the prepared table. We see her profile. The hand on her back is the last gesture before the fade. Multiple takes. |
FadeThe Door Closes — We Don't Go In00:22–00:25 · final shot before voice over
Intention
The door closes slowly. We stay in the corridor. What we don't see is more powerful than anything we could show. Fade to black on the light disappearing through the narrowing gap.
| Shot | What we film | Type | Lens | Shoot notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB-16 | The restaurant door closes slowly. The warm candelabra light disappears through the gap. Fade to black. Entrance · from the corridorCandelabra light visible in the gap | Static · tripod · corridor | 50mm | Shoot from the corridor. Door pulled gently off-frame — we never see the hand. Just the light narrowing and disappearing. Very slow fade to black in post: 1.5 seconds. 0.5 sec of pure black, then voice over. |
End FrameVoice Over + Logo00:25–00:30 · 5 sec
| RCB-17 | Complete black. Voice over alone. Ritz-Carlton logo fades in. Post-production only | Motion graphic · post | — | VO: "At The Ritz-Carlton, the guest plans the proposal. We plan everything else." Final line: "Don't join a team. Author a life." |
Pre-Shoot Checklist · Ritz-Carlton
Staff talent to confirm — 7 people
Senior concierge — natural on camera, understands the concept
Sommelier — wine cellar accessible on shoot day
Maître d'hôtel — flowers AND candelabra shots (same person possible)
Pastry chef — kitchen accessible, dessert prepared morning of shoot
Sound manager or music ambiance lead
Restaurant director — central role in the silent briefing
4–5 dining room team members for the briefing shot (RCB-13)
Extras to cast — 2 people (the couple)
Male extra — understated evening attire, comfortable with the box-in-pocket acting
Female extra — expressive gaze, able to react naturally to a beautiful table
Believable chemistry between the two — test together before shoot day if possible
Coordinated attire, understated, no strong patterns
Props to prepare — critical
Ring box — dark velvet, plain, no logo · test under warm light before shoot
Dessert plate with fictional female first name in chocolate · prepared morning of shoot
Fresh white peonies (×15 min.) · roses to remove from table
Specific Champagne bottle — same bottle throughout the shoot
Handwritten preference notebook — legible writing, believable fictional preferences
Music interface with evocative fictional title visible · test screen render before filming
Candelabra lit and stable on the table · stable flame
Impeccable Ritz-Carlton uniforms for all 7 staff talent
Locations to clear and prepare
Wine cellar accessible, proper cellar lighting
Dining room set for two — candelabra light only · specific table identified
Access corridor clear, clean, controlled light
Back-of-house corridor for director briefing — space for 6 people in a semicircle
Concierge desk — clean, notebook visible, warm light
Pastry kitchen accessible and clean
Hotel entrance / exterior facade for couple approach shot
Recommended shoot order — 1 day
Morning: Wine cellar (RCB-06, RCB-07) · Pastry kitchen / dessert (RCB-09) · Concierge desk (RCB-04)
Afternoon: Dining room — flowers + candelabra (RCB-08, RCB-12) · Music console (RCB-11) · Corridor briefing (RCB-13)
Evening: Extras — lobby (RCB-01, RCB-02, RCB-03, RCB-10) · corridor (RCB-14) · restaurant entrance (RCB-15) · door (RCB-16)
Evening: Exterior couple shot (RCB-05) — street light or golden hour
Post-production notes for the editor
Strict backstage ↔ couple alternation — RCB-05, RCB-10, RCB-14 are the couple alternating shots
Final fade to black on RCB-16 — very slow, minimum 1.5 seconds
0.5 sec of complete black before voice over — do not cut immediately
Music: strings only, progressive build — shift at shot RCB-15
Grade: warm + golden for the dining room / slightly cool for back of house
Campaign Note
What these three videos
say together
Individually, each video recruits for one hotel. Together they send a stronger message: Marriott Toronto offers three different houses for three different kinds of excellence. Experienced talent chooses the one that reflects who they are. This isn't recruitment — it's recognition.
Originality · For those who want
W Hotels
Their natural talent and free-spirited originality to be the product — not a corporate tolerance.
« Don't work the shift. Shape the night. »
Generosity · For those who want
St. Regis
Their culinary art carried by 100 years of ritual and exacting standards — artfully, gracefully, flawlessly.
« Don't cook a dish. Create a ritual. »
Empowerment · For those who want
Ritz-Carlton
The power to create a legendary moment — without asking for permission. Be Legendary, Be Proud.
« Don't join a team. Author a life. »
Confidential Document — Do Not Reproduce — © Butterfly Project 2025