Insta360 have released a festive video just in time for the Holiday Season, celebrating all things Christmas, but mainly celebrating what it means to capture moments and make memories that will last a lifetime. For this special video, Insta360 linked up with experienced director Don Broida, whose unique storytelling approach and wealth of experience brought the campaign to life. We sat down with Don to find out more about how “Capture What Comes Next” came together, and why the technology and creative collaboration made it special.
Meet Don Broida
With more than 15 years of shooting and directing under his belt, Don Broida has worked with some of the world's top brands such as McDonald's, JC. Penny, Hilton, PNG, Dove, Paypal, and Monopoly. Last year alone, he shot 30 hotels for Hilton. This project was Don's first time using Insta360 X5. His curiosity and creative drive to try new methods have always set his work apart. As Don puts it:
“This one was really different and really fascinating because of Insta360. It's the first time I've ever used the camera, and it kind of opened my eyes up to what 360 can be.”
Bringing the Vision to Life
The concept for “Capture What Comes Next” originated with Insta360's branding and creative teams, who wanted to tell a genuine story using 360 degree footage. Don was immediately drawn to the idea, seeing an opportunity to blend story driven and emotional elements in a new way. The project took place over three days in Los Angeles, including Santa Monica, Hollywood Hills, and downtown LA. The first day was dedicated to the hero Christmas party shoot, and the next two days focused on flashback and flash forward scenes shot using Insta360 X5. Unlike past projects, the challenge here lay in integrating 360 footage with traditional shots and capturing the energy of the holidays through an innovative lens.
Memorable Moments on Set
According to Don, the set offered countless fun and surprising moments. Cache and Tyler, two team members, managed to put the X5 camera inside a vending machine and film a perfect take on the first try. “The dog was very well-behaved, and the bowling scenes were great,” Don recalls, highlighting how the actors initially found working with the 360 camera challenging. Over time, they adapted, and their performances flourished, especially during the dynamic beach shoot and the festive party scenes, when additional freedom and trust boosted the authenticity of each moment.
Collaboration with Insta360
This was Don's first experience with Insta360 X5, but he quickly became a fan. He now owns one himself and is still exploring all the creative possibilities it offers. Don credits the tight-knit team, including the production designer Miko who set up and took down decorations on filming day, with pulling off a miracle on a tight timeline and budget. The team had just one week to cast, find locations, and finalize design, which demanded flexibility and out of the box thinking. Storyboarding sessions helped the crew find smart ways to blend X5 footage with conventional shots, and as the team grew more comfortable with the tools, the workflow became seamless.
What Set This Project Apart
For Don, “Capture What Comes Next” stands out among holiday campaigns because of its energy and experimentation. His favorite scenes include Cache's hidden match cuts, the inventive dog match cut, and the tent sequence, each carefully crafted and tied together to tell one continuous holiday story.
Nailing the Brand Message
Don is a firm believer in the power of listening to understand each brand's identity. “Every brand is unique,” he notes, and getting the messaging and tone right requires close attention to detail. This campaign, targeted at a different audience than the usual Insta360 crowd, demanded extra thought and care about how the story was told.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever used the camera, and it kind of opened my eyes up to what 360 can be,” Don reflects. His collaboration with Insta360 brought new creative energy to the holiday campaign, showing how teamwork and technology can help capture what comes next.
See more of Don’s work.
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