REVEL SPIRITS

24 Hours in Morelos | Commercial Doc

Director | Jimmy Seargent

Revel Spirits – “24 Hours in Morelos”

This branded content film for Revel Spirits took me to Cuernavaca in Morelos, Mexico, where we followed actor Justin Hartley through agave fields, distilleries, and local communities to tell the story of Avila — a unique agave-based spirit often compared to tequila. Directed and produced by Jimmy Seargeant, the project was designed to feel both cinematic and authentic, blending the style of a travel documentary with premium branded storytelling.

Because we were flying internationally, we worked with a skeleton crew and kept the production nimble and minimal, using little to no additional lighting. Everything was captured handheld on an EZ-Rig, keeping the look immersive and fluid. This stripped-down approach gave us the freedom to move quickly through different environments while still maintaining a cinematic aesthetic.

I shot on the RED Komodo paired with P&S Technic Kowa Anamorphic lenses, which created beautiful vintage bokeh and distinctive flares that emphasized the textures, colors, and atmosphere of Mexico. The combination of the compact Komodo package with the expressive character of the Kowa anamorphics allowed us to achieve a film-like look that elevated the piece beyond standard branded content.

Texture was central to this project — from the rough-hewn wood of the distillery to the golden light in the agave fields, every frame was designed to emphasize the richness of Morelos. Color grading by Bryan Smaller at Company 3 tied the look together, giving the final film a vibrant yet grounded palette that mirrored the spirit itself.

The result is a cinematic docu-style branded film that celebrates not only Revel Spirits but also the cultural beauty of Morelos, Mexico.