Behind the Scenes: A Day of Filming at 5RB Barristers’ Chambers

Alphie Howard Recent Work 6th November 2024 | 0

Recently, we had the opportunity to spend a day at 5RB office in Gray’s Inn. We went to capture the energy and professionalism that defines one of the UK’s leading sets of Media and Communications law specialists. But why were we called in? To help create a highlight video for their pupillage scheme and to introduce the two newest members joining their esteemed team, Hector Penny and Katya Pereira.

Here’s a glimpse into our exciting day of filming and what we set out to achieve.

The Setting: Tradition Meets Innovation

Stepping into 5RB’s space on the first floor is like walking into the heart of legal tradition, yet it’s infused with a modern dynamism that’s reflective of the fast-paced world of media law. Nestled in the legal hub of Gray’s Inn, they blend history with forward-thinking professionalism—an ideal setting to showcase what it’s like to be part of this prestigious team.

From the outset, we knew this wasn’t just about highlighting a workplace; it was about conveying the chambers’ unique culture, where cutting-edge legal expertise meets a supportive environment for growth and mentorship.

Focus 1: The Pupillage Scheme

Our first priority of the day was capturing the essence of 5RB’s renowned pupillage scheme. Pupillage at 5RB is known to be both challenging and immensely rewarding, offering barristers hands-on experience in some of the most high-profile media law cases in the UK. We wanted to ensure that the video conveyed this blend of rigour and opportunity.

Although we were set to film both pupils who had recently completed their pupillage, we only had one to start off with, Hector, choosing to prioritise specific shots like b-roll outdoors while the lighting was still good. The weather wasn’t the best with on and off rain, but we got the shots! Then Katya arrived and we set up the reception room to be fit and ready for their one-on-one with esteemed joint of chambers Adrienne Page. They shared candid insights about their journey’s—what it’s like to be part of the 5RB community, the hands-on mentorship they received, and the types of cases they’ve been working on. These interviews were invaluable in showcasing the real-life experience of being a pupil here, highlighting the support they received while navigating complex legal challenges.

Behind the camera, we aimed to capture the best and most interesting shots for their videos, choosing to go with a 2 camera set-up for a close on the pupil, and a moving wide shot of both the pupil and Adrienne. Their stories gave prospective pupils a sense of what to expect—not just in terms of the intellectual demands, but also the camaraderie and the culture of learning that is fostered at 5RB.

Focus 2: Working with the Pupils

We filmed short, conversational segments where the new members spoke about their backgrounds, what drew them to 5RB, and how they see themselves contributing to the team. Their enthusiasm was clear, and it was exciting to see it up close how much they can’t wait to start work here in the near future.

By the end of the day we mostly had all our shots, prioritising Hector’s shots outside when the sun was out and weather good for those brief moments, whereas for Katya we used as many indoor areas as we could, the conference room, the reception, the break area, the office, anything to help get across work and being busy.

Capturing the Atmosphere

5RB really wanted the video to come across as authentic as possible, a place where anyone is welcome and able to freely speak their mind. We did our best to get this across by utilising their office space as much as possible and showing how bright and busy it can be, while also highlighting their big 5RB glass door, which was just a visual staple that had to be included.

The architecture of the chambers—steeped in history—also played a starring role in our shots. We captured wide angles of the classic interiors with either Hector or Katya walking in, out, and through them. The office space was surprisingly modern and relaxing which helped with framing and making the place more homely and warm, and the conference rooms had a great sense of life thanks to the plants scattered about helping break up the whites and browns. These visuals will serve as the perfect backdrop for both the pupilage highlight video and the new member introductions, adding colour, warmth, and depth to an office space we only hope more can work at.

The Challenges and Triumphs of the Day

Filming in a professional legal setting always comes with its challenges. There’s a balance to be struck between ensuring minimal disruption to the ongoing work of the chambers and creating visually engaging content. However, the 5RB team was incredibly accommodating, and we managed to capture everything we needed while respecting the privacy and confidentiality of their work, especially with Hector’s office shots.

One of the highlights of the day was the energy and commitment from the barristers we filmed. Their enthusiasm for the video project, combined with their genuine excitement about their work, made it easy to capture compelling footage. Whether discussing high-profile media cases or the intricacies of defamation law, their passion shone through, making our job behind the camera a lot easier.

Looking Ahead: The Final Video

As we wrap up the editing process, we’re excited about how this video will turn out. We were tasked with highlight reels of the 2 candidates, a background video for each, and one for Adrienne talking about 5RB’s pupillage process and scheme. it’s not just a promotional tool for the pupillage scheme, but also for the members of 5RB, all 39 of them, and that’s the real selling point of this dynamic area of law.

Final Thoughts

Our day at 5RB Barristers’ Chambers was both inspiring and insightful. While the weather might have not been the brightest, we captured some great footage! The final product reflects all that hard work put in, and the passion both Katya and Hector have for 5RB, and their excellent time they had via their pupilage training.