Iconic Times Square: Our Crew's Documentary Adventure

By the Jynx Productions Team · 3 min read

One of our first big documentary shoots of the year took us back to New York City. We had been commissioned by Pro7 to film a pilot episode for a new show we developed called “Iconic Places” which airs on Pro 7 / Galileo and on their streaming channel, joyn. 

The pilot episode focused on the mesmerizinly iconic Times Square!

From the outset, we knew this wouldn't be a straightforward shoot. Times Square isn't just a place; it's a living, breathing spectacle, a constant performance. Our goal was to capture that spectacle while also finding the quieter, more human stories nestled within the chaos. 

Weeks of pre-production yielded 5 specific stories centered around 5 people we wanted to tell. Our producer/director Juri, brought along his keen eye for detail, his camera skills and a solid grip on the arc of the story. Everything he wanted to capture advanced the narrative in a way designed to keep the audience’s attention throughout the piece. Our cameraman, Martijn, recognized which camera setup would best capture the beguiling visuals. We carried 5 cameras for this project and used specialized audio equipment to capture interviews and sound effects in an environment with an ever-present "humming".

We spent hours just gazing upwards, our cameras trying to capture the immensity of the digital billboards, each a multi-million dollar canvas vying for attention. Talking to Paola Sinisgalli, the entrepreneur who democratized access to these giant screens through her business, Welcome to Times Square, was fascinating. Hearing how "any normal person" can now see their photo displayed for 15 seconds was a real "aha!" moment, highlighting a unique intersection of personal and commercial narratives in this public space. Imagine the emotion of a marriage proposal playing out on a screen towering over the Crossroads of the World! It underscored our approach to storytelling: to find the personal within the global, the intimate within the immense.

Paola Sinisgalli, Billboard Entrepreneur

Robert Burck, aka The Naked Cowboy

We also wanted to explore the perspective of those who work in Times Square. Anna Wiebus, an office coordinator at TodayTix, provided a fascinating counterpoint to the tourist experience.

Next, Robert Burck, the "Naked Cowboy", was a captivating subject. On the surface, he's a quintessential Times Square character, but behind the act is a shrewd businessman with decades of dedication to his craft. Spending a morning with him, from his Queens apartment to his "base" in a rented garage near the square, offered a glimpse into the surprisingly disciplined life behind the flamboyant persona . His unwavering commitment to becoming "the most famous entertainer of all time" was both surprising and inspiring. He understood that Times Square was his stage, a platform to build his brand.

Anna Wiebus, Office Coordinator

Anna’s daily commute through the bustling crowds, her appreciation for the unique view from her office, and her candid admission that "most New Yorkers...hate Times Square" offered a valuable insight into the lived reality of this iconic location. Her work in the theater ticket industry further highlighted the area's role as an entertainment hub.

Our storytelling approach was to move beyond the surface-level impressions and delve into the hidden mechanisms and personal stories that make Times Square tick. We developed a filming style for this project that was a combination of stylized and observational in an attempt to capture the raw energy of the square. In preproduction, we meticulously planned the audio setup so we could capture the “run-and-gun” in-depth interviews we are known for. It paid off. In some of the most aggressive audio environments we’ve ever filmed in, we had clean sound on all our interviews.

We aimed for a dynamic visual style, using wide shots to convey the scale and close-ups to capture the human element. We wanted to stay agile, so we relied on lightweight camera rigs that allowed us to move quickly through the crowds, while more stable setups were used for interviews and capturing the impressive visuals of the billboards. We filmed everything in 4k and log so our options in the edit would be expansive. The star of the segment, however, was the footage captured by our Insta 360 camera. It was the signature element for the pilot episode of this documentary series. We were able to swoop around every space we occupied in the Square which played a huge role in the final piece by capturing the vibrant, bustling 24hr spot.

Navigating the sheer volume of people, nearly half a million on peak days, presented its own set of challenges. Ever aware of the gear we were carrying, we were on high alert for pickpockets and ne'er-do-wells! There were moments of unexpected beauty as well, though. Watching the synchronized video installation, Midnight Moment, light up 92 screens just as the hour turned to midnight was truly spectacular and fascinating, a reminder that even in this hyper-commercialized space, there are moments of artistry and wonder.

Bringing this documentary to life was a collaborative effort, as always. From the initial research and planning to the long days on location and the meticulous work in post-production, every member of our team played a crucial role. Having worked as a team for so long, we anticipated each other's needs, communicated effectively, and adapted to the ever-changing dynamics of Times Square. It was a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience, and we hope our film offers viewers a fresh perspective on this undeniably iconic place.

If you’re interested in seeing how it all turned out, here’s the segment we produced for the magazine show Galileo on the ProSieben network:

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For almost 20 years of award winning production, Jynx Productions has specialized in presenting life as it unfolds to viewers across the globe. Our experienced production professionals are passionate about telling the kinds of authentic stories that leave a lasting impression on audiences. We’re glad to know that our work has sparked curiosity and joy, and has entertained millions of people. 

Our clients cover a spectrum of industry sectors. We're always interested in building new relationships, showcasing our services, and we welcome opportunities to talk about collaborations.