Bringing Summer to Life: How We Took Dreher’s Latest Commercial to Portugal
Full Service Production in Hungary, or Abroad
Dreher Breweries, a beloved Hungarian beer brand and a member of the Asahi Group, has been working with us for years. While most of our collaborations have taken place in Hungary, we’ve also taken productions abroad—filming in locations like Slovenia and even the Maldives. This time, Portugal provided the sun-soaked backdrop we needed to create an authentic summer vibe.
After months of planning, our team set off for Portugal. While part of the crew flew in, most of the technical team drove across Europe in trucks packed with camera gear, props, and costumes. Our trusted Portuguese production partner took care of the rest, ensuring a seamless setup on location.
Capturing the Perfect Summer Moment
A good beer commercial is all about atmosphere: sunshine, good company, and of course, an ice-cold brew in hand. This campaign was no different. Directed by Péter Herz and shot by cinematographer János Szőke—industry veterans with decades of experience—the shoot perfectly captured the essence of carefree summer days.
On the agency side, we once again partnered with Fitzroy Amsterdam, the award-winning creative powerhouse behind successful campaigns for Heinz, Shimano, and more. Their expertise in crafting high-impact brand storytelling was evident throughout the project.
In the end, we didn’t just shoot one commercial—we shot two, each in a distinct setting. One was filmed in an industrial area, and the other at the stunning lagoon at Óbidos.
As with any ambitious production, there were unexpected hurdles. One of the biggest? A custom-built pool that had to be transported from Hungary to Portugal, with no time to test it beforehand.
The night before filming, a security guard watched over the filled pool overnight while we crossed our fingers that it wouldn’t burst—because that would have meant disaster for our schedule.
To make things even trickier, we had to install a mobile heater to keep the water warm for the actors, ensuring they wouldn’t have to plunge into ice-cold water the next morning.
Another challenge arose at the lagoon, where we needed the actors to cross a floating bridge built entirely from stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). The boards were anchored on both shores, but the structure remained wobbly—especially with multiple actors crossing at once.
Thankfully, everyone managed to stay dry and the scene was a success.
Racing Against the Tide—And the Clock
The lagoon sequence proved to be the trickiest part of the shoot. Constant weather shifts and rapid tidal changes forced us to adjust our schedule on the fly. While we originally planned for two days of filming, the unpredictable conditions stretched the production to four days. But in the end, we captured everything we needed.
Home and Dry After Another Successful Shoot
Despite the challenges, the campaign came together beautifully—proving once again that great production is all about adaptability, teamwork, and a little bit of luck.
With Dreher’s latest commercial ready to hit screens, we’re already looking forward to the next adventure.
Need a Production Partner for Your Next Shoot?
If you’re looking for an experienced production team that can bring your vision to life—no matter the location—get in touch with us and who knows where your next shoot will take you?
