Native and Wild- About Us Film
Native and Wild Scottish Meat Boxes is an independent company, based in East Lothian, that sells prized-cattle beef straight to consumers. They pride themselves on having no waste; they only slaughter to order and use all cuts of the cow. The meat boxes are delivered in recyclable boxes, and the meat is vacuum packed and so can be easily frozen.
The company does most of its marketing through Instagram and, because people are increasingly looking to source quality and eco-friendly meat, they have seen sharp growth in their popularity since inception. Their marketing strategy focusses on presenting husband and wife’s, Pete and Eilidh’s, life on the farm with their young children. And so, by default it has become a lifestyle brand.
Professional video marketing really has the ability to cement a company’s place in the industry it inhabit. It’s a symbol that lets the world know that you care, work hard, and have found success. In other words, because of all these things, “you are good at what you do”. Showcasing these fundamentals have the power to transition a window shopper into a confident buyer.
Conversations began about the project. The bones of the film would be the featured interviews with co-founders Pete and Eilidh. Their answers would direct the B-roll that would be shot at a later date. Images of family, cattle, and eating were also going to be important.
Native and Wild’s Instagram served well to influence the initial mood boarding. This was to be a big film, and it was important for Mhairi to be flexible to capture different B-roll at different times.
Filming began in the middle of summer on a scorching day. The interviews were shot in a shed near where the cattle were grazing. We went through the questions start to finish twice, and as Mhairi has seen many times, by the second pass the subjects were more warmed up and confident in their answers.
Gorgeous blue skies meant that shots of the cattle could also be taken on this day. Pete guided Mhairi around the field, and pointed out what might appeal to clients, for instance a calf suckling their mother. The brand is very much about the family too, and we got some cracking shots of the couple with their young children.
Mhairi began editing, and once the interview was assembled, we arranged the next shoot.
It took two more shoots to get the next bits of B-roll. We wanted more footage of the meat being cooked and tasted. Mhairi’s only concern was that it was now September and she worried that the time of year might seem inconsistent.
Working together, alongside some hungry helpers, a dinner party was staged. With Scottish weather most unpredictable, and evening light fading, Mhairi assumed they would need to film inside.
Luckily, and curiously, it was another clear day so we could set up outside. It was just like a Texan night. Well, despite the balmy air, and relaxing critters chorus, and the cowboy boots, and the Iced Tea. Ok, it was nothing like a Texan night, but it was a special Scottish night.
As family and friends arrived and the table was filled with colourful sides, Mhairi crept about in the background shooting the interactions. Capturing natural moments of enjoyment. The light began to fade, more than desired, but it felt in the spirit of the moment. Next time, I will remember the light stand though! Lighting is very important.
Next up was getting packaging shots, again another clear day, accompanied by sweetest little helper Innis.
The film took about two weeks to make start to finish, and was completed in November. Mhairi taught herself how to animate the sub-titles on this project, a skill which will raise the quality of all her future projects. From the full film shorter cuts were made to suit social media platforms.
“Her creative vision and professional approach allowed the whole process to be both enjoyable and fascinating.”
— Eilidh, Native and Wild
Reaction
Native and Wild released a snippet of the the film on Instagram, 28 November 2020, and this was the reaction.
You can read about Pete and Eilidh’s latest project, Lothian Larder, in The Edinburgh Evening News.