Kefi Studios, ATL
🎥 Lights, camera, playtime! When we partnered with Kefi to create a 'playtainment paradise,' we knew we were in for an adventure.
Imagine seeing the world through a child's eyes, capturing those precious moments of discovery, joy, and creativity. 🧸🚀
We set up state-of-the-art cameras and lights, all designed for little hands to operate. As some children played with the latest toys, others took on the role of mini cinematographers, creating amazing camera shots and moves. It was a whirlwind of action, all for kids and by kids.
The goal? To explore the extraordinary and essential role of play through immersive storytelling, structured learning, and of course, tons of fun! But the real magic happened in our live content studio, designed by SGWX, just for kids.
We transformed a 25,000-square-foot space in Atlanta's Buckhead area into a wonderland where kids could dive into stories, create their own music, and explore the latest boutique and educational toys.
Panoramic pic of the main play space once the walls went up — every surface purposely designed to have content projected upon it.
Kids ages 12 and under could enjoy guided and free play, with a mix of toy play, classes, and gaming. The play spaces and skilled Playsmiths were focused on helping kids develop their confidence, creativity, and collaboration skills, while SGWX and the designers of the space and content created wonderful narratives and experiences for the kids to immerse themselves in.
For grown ups, Kefi provided adults-only spaces and activities (video game machines were my fave!) so parents could decompress, catch up on work, or attend the TED-Talk-like presentations and discussions on the stage while their kids played.
Here are some behind-the-scenes pics showing the design process — from the camera mount inspired by digital film director Mike Figgis’s “Fig Rig” from the early days of digital cinematography, that allowed kids use either side of the camera as “Director” or as “Talent” in front — to the stage design utilizing truss, a smooth-floating jib, and projections all around — including the iPad control we designed for the Playsmiths who ran the shows on stage, with pre-planned sequences of all kinds of fun so the stage could be instantly transformed for every moment.
The result? An incredible experience and plenty of genuine, originally created video content that showcased the unique ways kids engage with toys. These clips not only delighted parents but also provided invaluable demographic information and user-generated content for toy manufacturers, which drove additional revenue and extended the brand experience into the homes of the folks who participated.
Witnessing the pure joy on the kids' faces as they played and created was the real highlight. Their energy, curiosity, and creativity were truly infectious. This project was a reminder of the power of play and the unique stories that can unfold when kids are in charge. 🌟