Reimagining Cities—One Frame at a Time
When the Science Channel decided to create the documentary-style series If We Built It, about the exploration of the future of architecture and city building, they reached out to SN Media Services to document New York City in all of its size, complexity, and splendor. SN Media Services provided full production support on the ground, so that creative concepts could be turned into reality in visually stunning ways through dynamic cinematography and intentional architectural storytelling.
From giant skyscrapers to innovative infrastructure, our footage helped contextualize the city as a living laboratory for what is possible in the intersection of imagination and engineering.
What We Delivered
Filming in downtown New York City takes a high level of experience, flexibility and visual intuition. SN Media Services provided all of this and more with a full crew of NYC-based professionals to showcase the most iconic structures and the pieces of architecture that are not as well known.
Some key deliverables included:
- Location scouting and permitting assistance throughout both Manhattan and Brooklyn
- Cinematic b-roll of New York’s skyline, architecture and infrastructure
- High resolution drone footage (FAA Licensed Operators)
- On-the-ground coordination of Science Channel producers and directors
- Lighting and production assistance for hosted segments and interviews
Architecture as Storytelling
The core of If We Built It is about more than design—it’s about vision. SN Media Services helped to translate abstract architectural ideas into concrete cinematic images of:
- Streetscapes and landmark buildings
- Developments and urban placemaking
- People’s relationship with the built environment
- Time-lapses showing the flow of the city and its transformation
Our cinematography helped set the narrative, using size and details to show how cities are designed not just to function, but to inspire.
A Trusted Partner for Broadcast-Level Production
As a trusted crew for national broadcast networks, SN Media Services is familiar with the high production standards and creative stringency associated with science and educational programming. Our New York-based crew worked in coordination with producers to respond to tight timelines and supply studio quality footage—on-time and on-budget.
Whether we are shooting at public plazas or high-rise rooftops, we assured that each frame was consistent with the Science Channel’s visual tone and objective: to educate and bring about wonder.
Why SN Media Services was Chosen by the Science Channel
With broad experience in architecture, industrial and educational video production, SN Media Services was a NYC-based partner that was a perfect fit for this episode.The science channel, if we built it, collaborating with SN offered:
- Seasoned cinematographers with trained eyes towards design
- Local production knowledge and permitting expertise
- Highly flexible crews that are quick on their feet when facing quickly changing City logistics
Contrary to media service norms where the client receives little more than a mediocre location shoot, SN’s work helped position If We Built It as an engaging and eye-pleasing series about bridging the gap between aspiration and reality.