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Capturing Stories That Matter
When University of Amsterdam approached us to create a video for the Alumni Magazine, we knew it was an opportunity to tell a meaningful story. What made this project truly special was the chance to film with Dutch Olympic Champion Hermijntje Drenth , who won gold in the women’s coxless four at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Even more exciting—we were given complete creative freedom in storytelling and cinematography, something rare in corporate video projects where content is often tightly controlled.
The Concept: From Script to Vision
The project kicked off with the client providing the Dutch voiceover texts. With these in hand, I visited Willem III at Amstel, scouting spaces that could transform into cinematic backdrops. Walking through the location, I envisioned how to make these places look visually stunning and inspiring on screen. This visit sparked ideas that became the backbone of the script and direction notes.
The concept aimed to balance Hermijntje’s extraordinary achievements with her day-to-day reality. She may be an Olympic champion, but she’s also a student, balancing academics, work, and rigorous training dual identity that became the core theme of the video.
Creative Highlights: Crafting Cinematic Moments
The Silhouette Shot: The boat storage at Willem III offered a naturally intriguing silhouette. We positioned Hermijntje holding her boat in front of a rolling shutter, while a crew member controlled the gate from the corner. The result? A striking, cinematic moment that emphasized strength and solitude.
Balancing Dual Identities: A key theme was highlighting Hermijntje’s life beyond rowing. We filmed scenes of her in civilian clothing, studying and overlooking the very river where she trains. This contrast between her student life and athletic dedication echoed the voiceover and reinforced the duality of her identity.
The Final Shot: Symbolism in Motion The closing scene was both challenging and symbolic. Hermijntje rows under the Roeterseiland university building—a striking structure built over a canal. This shot perfectly represented the convergence of her two worlds: the student and the athlete. To capture it, Hermijntje rowed 4 kilometers in the rain to the location, with a GoPro mounted on her boat to document the journey. Navigating under the bridge was risky; the oars span about 3 meters each, and the canal under the building is only about 10 meters wide. Despite the challenges, the shot turned out exactly as envisioned.
Post-Production: Piecing It All Together
I also took on the role of editor for this project. Thanks to pre-planning during the shoot, I was able to finish the first cut within one evening. The biggest challenge in post-production was finding the right musical score. A lot of time went into selecting and editing the track stems to match the emotional beats of the video. Music is always a tricky element—I often have less control over it than visuals—but after multiple revisions, we found a balance that satisfied both us and the client.
Bringing Stories to Life
Every project brings its own set of challenges and creative opportunities, and this one highlighted how much can be achieved with a small, dedicated team. From capturing an Olympic champion at sunrise to navigating complex shots with limited time, it was all about careful planning, creative thinking, and problem-solving. We focus on the details, finding cinematic moments even in challenging conditions, all while keeping the storytelling at the heart of what we do. If you're looking for a team that can bring thoughtful, high-quality video production to life—no matter the scale—we’d love to collaborate.
Credits & Acknowledgement
Client: University of Amsterdam
Featuring: Hermijntje Drenth
Director & Filmmaker: Yunfu Duan
VO texts: Pam Ackermans
Gaffer: Valentijn Stomp
Colorist: Davey Rietmeijer
BTS: Yixin Ye
Special Thanks: Lisa Maier, Melisa Can, Roeivereeniging Willem III
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