A World-Class Project at a World-Class Venue
Recently, our team at Mi Media Productions had the pleasure of providing full grip and lighting services for an exclusive Apple TV interview with Inter Miami CF, featuring none other than Lionel Messi and the crew from the global soccer media brand 433.
As a Miami-based video production company, projects like these are always exciting especially when we get to bring out our 1-Ton Grip Truck, fully stocked with lighting fixtures, grip gear, and all the tools needed for high-end cinematic interviews, music videos, and commercial shoots.
The shoot took place inside Chase Stadium, a stunning facility and home of Inter Miami CF. While beautiful, it posed a unique creative challenge: limited space. That’s where experience and the right lighting setup made all the difference.
Lighting Design in Tight Spaces
Small locations often require big creativity. For this shoot, we rigged lights into the ceiling to create a cinematic top-down backlight that gave the frame dimension and atmosphere. We added two ultra-bounces to softly fill the talent’s faces, then used a smaller, focused light source to add a subtle catchlight in the eyes — giving each close-up the visual depth and energy that high-end interviews demand.
This was a two-person interview, captured with four cameras one wide, two close-ups, and one roaming. Because we only had 15 minutes with Messi, setup speed was crucial. Thankfully, with our grip and lighting truck parked just outside and a full crew ready, we lit the scene and dialed everything in quickly and efficiently.
Gear and Crew: The Power of Being Fully Equipped
The Director of Photography flew in from Europe, so we provided nearly all the production gear locally from C-stands, combo stands, and diffusion to lighting fixtures, tripods, and audio gear. The only thing they brought were their cameras.
Our Miami grip and lighting team handled setup, pre-lighting, and teardown all under a tight turnaround schedule. Since everything we used was in-house, there was no delay in getting the right tools to set. We even had one of our experienced gaffers lead the lighting team, ensuring the client’s vision matched the high standards expected for a global platform like Apple TV.
South Florida Grip and Lighting: Why Local Matters
Projects like this highlight the advantage of working with a local South Florida production company that’s fully equipped and familiar with the terrain. Miami is home to a fast-growing creative industry, and being local means we can mobilize quickly, understand the lighting challenges of the area, and adapt to the demands of both indoor and outdoor environments.
Whether you’re shooting an international interview, a commercial campaign, or a branded video, having a trusted grip and lighting team in Miami can make or break your production day.
Versatility Meets Professionalism
Our 1-Ton Grip Truck is perfect for a wide range of productions from small documentary shoots to full-scale commercial campaigns. Stocked with LED panels, , Aputure 600Ds, diffusion frames, silks, floppies, and flags, we’ve built it to handle the unpredictable nature of on-location work in South Florida.
We also provide experienced gaffers, key grips, and camera assistants, so when you book your grip and lighting through Mi Media, you’re not just getting the equipment you’re getting a team that knows how to use it efficiently to tell your story beautifully.
Looking Ahead
This project was an amazing experience one that reminded us of the power of preparation, teamwork, and great lighting. We’re excited to see the final interview air on Apple TV and 433’s social channels, and we’re proud to have played a part in bringing that cinematic look to life.
If you ever need grip and lighting support in Miami, Broward, or South Florida, we’ve got you covered. Whether it’s for a commercial, interview, or branded content, Mi Media Productions is ready to bring the light.
