Australia’s best sporting teams don’t just battle it out on the field, their toughest challenge is often the weekly cross-country travel grind. From late-night flights to split-second recovery schedules. We reveal the top strategies to keep your team game-ready every week.
No green screens here: Unveiling the travel magic behind the world’s most iconic ads
The real work behind big-budget ads
When an ad needs far more than just green screen and CGI, the magic comes down to precision planning. Take Hamish’s and Zoe’s Go Big ad for Tourism Australia’s Holiday Here This Year campaign or the epic 84 Lumber Super Bowl commercial, according to our General Manager Adam Moon the key is flawless execution.
“A three-minute ad can take months of meticulous planning,” says Adam. “That’s where TMCs shine. From transporting talent, crew and cargo to juggling tight schedules in remote locations – our job is to coordinate it all without missing a beat.”
Planes, permits and perfecting the planning on a blockbuster ads
The moment a multi-million-dollar commercial moves from concept to production, the logistics machine kicks into gear, says Adam.
This means chartering flights, organising the transfer of costumes and factoring in everything from bad weather to custom delays with a level of reverse engineering that could earn you a PhD.
“It’s not just about picking a few dates and drafting an itinerary. It’s about finding that rare window where the weather aligns, the crew is ready, and the location is perfect – because in this game, there are no second takes,” says Adam.
Just take the ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign, filmed during the pandemic. Every sunset shot, sea vista, and perfectly timed golden hour scene was a logistical masterpiece. Behind the camera, health and safety protocols, precise scheduling, and contingency planning were just as crucial as the creative vision.
“On a shoot like that, TMCs have to work their magic to ensure every detail slots into place, such as syncing flight arrivals, crew transfers, accommodation, and equipment deliveries all need to sync up like a choreographed routine,” says Adam.
Even tide-dependent water scenes required split-second coordination, ensuring that every logistical piece moves in harmony.
“That campaign was a masterclass in timing – every connection had to run like clockwork. But when things go sideways, the ability to pivot is crucial,” adds Adam.
Riding the chaos: Why timing and troubleshooting define ad shoots
When production chaos hits, and it often does, the only way to keep the cameras rolling is to have more than just a plan B, you need a plan C, D and E.
“Unlike a feature films, blockbuster ad shoots don’t have the luxury of time. And with chaos a given, whether it’s cancelled flights, missing permits, or gear getting stuck at customs, the timeframe to fix it is often counted in minutes,” says Adam.
While films can pause or reschedule, an ad campaign must hit its deadline. And that’s why behind every perfect shot is a team of TMCs in the wings, from rebooking flights to a backup location before sunrise or express couriering a piece of camera gear before the morning coffee.
The final frame
“Blockbuster ads aren’t just about what happens on screen, they’re about everything that happens off it,” says Adam.
“They’re a cocktail of creativity, chaos, and clockwork planning all packed into the tightest timeline imaginable. When you see an ad go viral, you’re witnessing a triumph of grit and logistics.”
And as for what really goes into making a multi-million-dollar Super Bowl commercial, Adam says it’s a high-stakes symphony of talent, directors, locations, travel and freight logistic that culminates in the high-pressure crescendo of shoot day.
“Precision is everything. The reality behind that viral ad magic is a perfectly choreographed race against the clock, where creativity meets unshakable logistics,” he says.
