Stealing the Scene: How Visual Display Companies Elevate Film & Music Video Sets

Josh Wood
May 23
2 min read

In a world where every frame counts, the power of immersive set design has never been more important. Visual display companies like At Last Events are increasingly stepping beyond retail and events to become unsung heroes in the worlds of film and music production.

Whether it’s crafting dreamlike set pieces or building bold, photogenic backdrops, our custom displays have a starring role to play. Here's how we do it—and why it matters.

Film crew operates crane camera in a large studio set with arches. Bright lights overhead, busy scene, industrial setting. — Source: pinterest.co.uk

Partially collapsed building in a parking lot with debris. Beige and red storefront shows "Steam Nights." Scaffolding and cloudy sky. — Source: geograph.org.uk

From High Street to High Drama: Why Displays Belong on Set

Traditionally associated with retail activations or live events, visual display is now a creative secret weapon for film directors, production designers, and musicians. Why? Because high-quality, physical builds bring a depth, tactility, and wow-factor that CGI or minimal sets can’t always match.

Our team has worked across multiple productions to deliver unforgettable environments that feel as authentic as they look. Here are a couple of examples:

Case Study 1: Black Doves (Netflix)

Woman with long hair looks pensively off-camera. Overcast sky and blurred cityscape in the background. Moody and contemplative scene.

Woman in a red shirt stands near a decorated Christmas tree with lights and red ornaments in a dimly lit room. Warm and festive mood. — Source: Netflix

For Netflix’s thriller Black Doves, we were tasked with dressing a key London house to look like a fully festive winter scene. With shooting schedules and a full set, there was no room for error.

We designed and installed a complete Christmas dressing, from garlands and twinkling lights to detailed Christmas trees. Every element was crafted to feel rich, atmospheric, and cinematic, but never kitsch. The result? A fully immersive Christmas set that gave the production an authentic seasonal backdrop without ever feeling staged.

Case Study 2: Gregory Porter Music Video

Man in a suit and hat smiles near a decorated Christmas tree indoors. Another person is in the background by a large window. — Source: Able TV Productions

A group sings around a pianist in a room with a large, decorated Christmas tree. The setting is bright, with wooden floors and a cozy atmosphere. — Source: At Last Events

For Gregory Porter’s Christmas music video, the challenge was creating an intimate, wintery setting that could complement his iconic vocals. We transformed a beautiful manor house room into a Christmas haven, filled with nostalgic touches, like frosted trees, glowing lanterns, lush garlands, and glowing fireplace accents.

We worked closely with the creative team to understand the emotional beats of the song, ensuring every prop and decoration enhanced the overall visual mood. The final set felt lived-in and joyful—perfect for a video that would become part of people’s holiday traditions.

What We Offer to Film & Music Productions:

Two women assemble Christmas decorations at a wooden table in a workshop. Greenery frames the scene. A disco ball and stairs are visible. — Source: At Last Events

Custom Fabrication: Every build is bespoke, crafted in-house from sketch to install.
Scenic Detailing: From hyperreal textures to period-specific builds, we add nuance where it counts.
Fast, Flexible Turnarounds: We understand the pace of production and can keep up.
On-Site Installation: Our crew is experienced working on sets, respecting timelines and confidentiality.
Creative Collaboration: We work closely with directors, art departments, and set designers to make big visions tangible.

Rows of orange fairy lights on metal beams in a cluttered warehouse with stacked boxes and a large red bow. Warm, cozy lighting. — Source: At Last Events

Why It Works:

Visual displays offer more than just aesthetics. They help directors set the tone, provide talent with immersive environments to perform in, and offer DPs stunning visuals that don’t need to be faked in post.

They also create social-ready visuals for promotion. Many of our builds double as great behind-the-scenes content or promo stills, giving productions added value in the marketing stage.