THE FLANDRIEN GALA

Image & brand

This year the Flandrien Gala, the annual gathering for cyclists and cycling enthusiasts, took place in Ostend. The city of the sea, the port... and the shrimp. But what on earth does cycling have to do with shrimp?

Together with Het Nieuwsblad, a major Flemish newspaper, we set out to investigate.

Our approach

the shrimp: from the sea to
your plate in 4 mini docs

During the first kick-off session, we teamed up with Het Nieuwsblad to shape the main storyline and define the overall vibe of the videos. It was also the perfect moment for the client to discover where the magic would happen and to meet the faces behind our name and work for the very first time.

Our solution

4 authentic mini docs

Next up: pre-production, which led to two filming days in Ostend. In addition to making shrimp croquettes, we assisted Dominique Persoone, a famous flavor maestro, in interviewing four unsung heroes of the cycling world. That's how we got a rare peek behind the peloton.

This resulted in four mini-documentaries, showing that cyclists and shrimps have more in common than you’d think. We opted for raw cinematography and vintage lenses to reinforce the analogy.

“Het Bataljon team took great care of us. The shooting days were arranged down to the last detail. Truly a breath of fresh air.

We had nothing to worry about. Everyone on the team, actors, partners (etc.) knew what was expected. No surprises, which is not easy in such a production. This is extremely valuable when you, as a client, are busy with so many other things at the same time.

‍We have even taken these lessons to heart internally at Nieuwsblad and are now adopting their approach in our own productions."

Guy Fransen

General Chief Sports, Media House

Finalize

A NIBBLE?

Before these documentaries were shown at the Flandrien Gala 2023, we invited the client to kick back on our couch with a nibble to view the videos on the big screen. This allowed us to make quick tweaks and try out different shots to achieve a perfect end result, which both the client and we fully stood behind.

The result

The link between cycling and shrimps

The result? A venue full of shrimp croquettes, cyclists and cycling enthusiasts, a fantastic show and four highly acclaimed mini-documentaries that gave the audience a glimpse into the life of a cyclist and left them craving a shrimp croquette. Tasty!

“I've rarely worked with an agency that engages the customer so actively and isn't satisfied until it's “just right”, with clear agreements and deadlines.

During the vision moment on the big screen, we were able to give feedback while sitting on the couch with a coffee. They immediately started working on our suggestions.

As a result, we saw the adjustments right away. A unique experience that truly makes a difference.”

Guy Fransen

General Chief Sports, Media House