ESL
It's just a game...
ESL
Industry
E-Sports
Project Type
Social Content
Year
2018
Project Overview
A long-term creative partnership delivering hype content, live show coverage and rapid-turnaround edits for ESL UK. The work spanned international esports events, product launches and integrated campaigns for global gaming and technology brands, with Leicester used as a base for multi-national production teams.
The Brief
ESL UK required a production partner that could operate at speed in live environments. The brief was to capture interviews, live shows and promotional content, delivering finished edits in time for pre-show, post-show and next-day release. This meant the turnaround times were being measured in hours rather than days.
One of the most demanding periods involved producing over 160 pieces of content within a 48-hour window, including multiple three to four-minute edits alongside high-volume promotional assets.
Our Approach
Our approach focused on preparation, structure and trust. For each event, we built scalable teams that could expand or contract depending on demand. This included organising A and B crews, with one team focused on interviews and narrative content, and another capturing high-energy hype content direct to camera.
Leicester was used as an international production base, coordinating teams arriving from across Europe and beyond for live delivery. Clear roles, calm communication and disciplined workflow allowed us to work through the night when required, often delivering content for early-morning pre-show deadlines.
Across multiple events, this approach allowed ESL UK to rely on us to manage complexity, coordinate large crews and deliver consistently under pressure.
The Outcome
The content supported a wide range of live events and launches, including: VR World Series, Challenger Series, HP Omen meets Fortnite product launch, and the ESL e-gaming suite opening in Fulham.
The work helped bring major gaming and esports brands into the UK market, with Leicester acting as a central hub for international collaboration. The scale and pace of delivery required a level of trust that allowed creative decisions to be made in real time.
While the projects were not award-driven, they played a significant role in introducing new formats, technologies and global esports culture to regional audiences. The partnership concluded when ESL UK closed its UK operations as part of wider organisational changes.
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
WHAT DID THEY THINK?
”You streamlined the entire process.
Connor BeattieEvent Producer
Your ability to scale up or down and adapt in a fast-paced environment made a real difference.
Director
Alex Buja
DOP
Jonny Rhodes
Producer
Andy Gundelach
Editor
Alex Buja