Wrapping Our First Year

Last week, we wrapped our final shoot of 2025 at Henry Ford Health Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, and as we packed up our equipment, it hit us: we just completed our first full year as Sidelight Studio. What a year it's been!

From Concept to Reality

When Chris Gagnon and Calvin Schenck founded Sidelight Studio in early 2025, the vision was clear but ambitious: bring professional, authentic storytelling to Detroit businesses without the big agency price tag. We wanted to offer the personal attention and creative excellence that only a nimble, specialized team could provide. At the end of 2025, we've proven that vision works.

Ending the Year Where It Matters Most

Our final production of 2025 took us back to familiar territory- the halls of Henry Ford Health Genesys Hospital. Over six filming days throughout the year at Genesys Hospital, we've been creating a comprehensive series of physician recruitment videos for their Graduate Medical Education programs.

These shoots represent everything we love about HIPAA-compliant healthcare video production. We've conducted interviews with program directors who are shaping the next generation of physicians. We've captured intimate conversations with residents about why they chose Henry Ford Health and what makes their training experience exceptional. And we've filmed b-roll alongside residents and attending physicians, documenting the real, unscripted moments that define life in medical education- the surgical suite consultations, the teaching rounds, the quiet moments of reflection after difficult cases.

Working in a hospital environment requires specialized knowledge- HIPAA compliance, sensitivity to clinical workflows, understanding medical terminology, and the ability to capture authentic moments in high-stakes environments without disrupting patient care. It's challenging work, but it's also incredibly rewarding. These videos will help recruit talented physicians who will serve communities across Michigan for decades to come.

Each filming day required meticulous coordination: scheduling around OR schedules, clinical rotations, and patient care responsibilities. We've learned to be flexible, efficient, and ready to pivot when a rapid response changes the afternoon's plans. That adaptability is what makes us effective partners for healthcare organizations.

The Projects That Defined Our First Year

While Henry Ford Health System has been a cornerstone client, our first year brought remarkable diversity:

The EcoCAR EV Challenge brought multiple video deliverables throughout the year. We traveled to Yuma, AZ and San Diego to capture the Year 3 Competition, producing high-energy recap videos showcasing university teams competing in advanced electric vehicle development for General Motors. This included a Competition Recap Video AND an EcoCAR movie trailer. So fun! But the crown jewel was the AVTC Impact Video- a 5 minute piece that required coordination with Argonne National Laboratory and the Department of Energy. The project included custom dashboard graphics, historical B-roll sequences, student and sponsor testimonials, and Amari's compelling voiceover work. The client feedback said it all: "Love it. I've now watched through some version of this video about 7 times and I get goosebumps every time. Sidelight did a bang-up job." We also produced a video for ANL's Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) research work, demonstrating our ability to translate complex automotive technology into accessible visual narratives.

Jekyll + Hyde Labs trusted us with the full production of their BCozzy travel pillow commercials- a multi-spot campaign showcasing the unique patented design that lets travelers sleep comfortably in any position. We produced both :60 and :30 second spots, including a holiday campaign variant, filming across elaborate airplane cabin sets, boarding gates, and terminal environments. The October production day at The Collective Studio in Southfield brought together principal cast, extras, and a full crew to capture everything from tight product close-ups to wide boarding gate scenes- all choreographed to showcase the product's versatility while maintaining an energetic, accessible tone.

Dwyer Marble & Stone engaged us for their ambitious brand repositioning as they enter their next 30 years. We created a cinematic 2-minute brand manifesto film that captures their philosophy: "every surface has a story to tell, a legacy to uphold, and a future to inspire." The film weaves together stunning close-ups of marble veins and quartzite shimmer, drone quarry footage showing raw material origins and showroom consultations. With a carefully orchestrated voiceover, original score, and visual storytelling that honors both craftsmanship and innovation, this wasn't just a corporate video- it was a declaration of purpose. We're also working on their ENVI Evolves product launch and natural stone collection, demonstrating our ability to shift aesthetic approaches while maintaining brand coherence across diverse projects.

What We Learned

Building a Detroit video production company from the ground up taught us lessons we couldn't have anticipated:

We love partnering with businesses to bring their stories to life. Whether it's healthcare systems recruiting physicians, stone suppliers celebrating 30 years, or government laboratories showcasing educational impact, corporate clients become true collaborators. We understand the stakes, respect their environments, and deliver content that serves both their immediate goals and long-term brand building.

Commercial work is our sweet spot. Productions like BCozzy bring together everything we love—creative vision, technical precision, and locked-down coordination that wastes no time or resources. There's something deeply satisfying about executing a complex multi-scene shoot with principal cast, extras, and full crew while staying on schedule and delivering exactly what the client envisioned.

Efficiency matters as much as creativity. Filming multiple programs in a single day isn't just cost-effective, it demonstrates respect for our clients' time and resources. Tight coordination and detailed planning let us maximize every shoot day.

Detroit businesses need partners, not vendors. Our clients appreciate that we're invested in their success, that we respond quickly, and that we bring solutions to problems they haven't even articulated yet. It's about building relationships that last beyond individual projects.

Looking Ahead

As we head into 2026, we're excited about what's coming:

• Completing the Henry Ford Health GME recruitment video series

• Producing and delivering more Jekyll + Hyde commercials

• Launching Dwyer's new brand initiatives

• Expanding our footprint in Detroit's corporate video market

• Continuing to serve the healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, and nonprofit sectors that make Southeast Michigan special

  
  

We're also implementing a comprehensive digital marketing strategy to help more Detroit businesses discover what we do. Because while word-of-mouth and established relationships have fueled our first year, we're ready to show more organizations how professional video storytelling can transform their marketing, recruitment, and communication efforts.

Thank You

To Ashley, Jesse, and the entire AVTC/EcoCAR team at Argonne National Laboratory, to Connie and the team at Henry Ford Health Genesys Hospital, as well as Henry Ford Health Creative Services, to Alexandra and Jacky at Dwyer Marble & Stone, to the folks at Jekyll + Hyde Labs, and to every program director, resident, student, professional, and subject who trusted us with their stories this year- thank you!

To the freelance specialists who've joined us on larger productions, you've made us better.

And to everyone who's followed along, referred a client, or simply believed in what we're building here in Metro Detroit- we couldn't have done this without you.

Here's to year one in the books. Year two is going to be even better.

Ready to tell your story? Whether you need recruitment videos, corporate brand films, commercial content, or event coverage, Sidelight Studio brings professional videography and authentic storytelling to businesses across Metro Detroit.

Let's talk about your next project.

Sidelight Studio is a full-service video production company based in Detroit, Michigan, specializing in corporate video, brand storytelling, and commercial content. Founded by Christopher Gagnon and Calvin Schenck, we bring over 20 years of combined experience to every project.