Match Day Documentary & Highlights
Wembley National League Playoff Finals
Southend United Football Club
There are some opportunities you simply can't turn down, and filming at Wembley Stadium was absolutely one of them. When Southend United made it to the playoff final against Oldham Athletic, we knew this was going to be something special - our first shoot at England's most iconic stadium and a chance to document what should have been a historic day for the club.
About The Project
Wembley National League Playoff Finals
We rolled up at 9AM with a three-person crew - myself, Max Stevenson, and Monty Rusga - each equipped with gimbal setups to ensure we could move fast and capture every angle as the day unfolded. The scale of Wembley demands this kind of approach; you can't rely on static shots when there's so much happening across such a massive venue.
Our day kicked off at the Box Park activation, where we linked up with Alexis Los, a prominent influencer from Leigh-on-Sea, to capture the pre-match atmosphere. The energy was electric, and having three independent shooters meant we could simultaneously cover fan interviews, player arrivals, and all the behind-the-scenes moments that make these events so special. The gimbal work was crucial here - weaving through crowds, capturing natural reactions, and maintaining that cinematic quality even in chaotic environments.
The real magic happened when we got inside Wembley itself. Walking through those tunnels with full media access, shooting in the press boxes, capturing the scale of the stadium as it filled up - these are the moments that separate professional sports documentation from standard match coverage. Our Canon 4K setups were earning their keep here, pulling out incredible detail in both the intimate fan moments and the sweeping stadium shots.
Throughout the match, we maintained our multi-angle approach, ensuring we caught every goal, every celebration, and crucially, every emotional beat of what turned out to be a heartbreaking day for Southend fans. The technical challenge was immense - managing exposure for the bright pitch against darker stands, keeping focus sharp on fast-moving action, and anticipating key moments before they happened.
The edit process was where we really showed our worth. When the result didn't go our way, we had to completely rethink our approach. Instead of the victory documentary we'd planned, we crafted something that celebrated the journey, the fans, and the incredible day itself. The highlight reel we produced captured every crucial moment while maintaining the emotional weight of the occasion.
The
Take Homes
This project perfectly demonstrates why Function Media thrives in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. We delivered exceptional content that resonated with audiences even when the fairytale ending didn't materialise - that's the mark of truly professional sports content creation. The fact that our coverage achieved over 500,000 views across all platforms, despite the disappointing result, shows exactly what happens when you combine technical expertise with genuine passion for storytelling. Whether your next project ends in triumph or heartbreak, we'll make sure it looks absolutely incredible.
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