‘WONDERFRUIT’ INSIGHTS
For Wonderfruit 2024, the brief came with two major deliverables:
a long-form documentary about the Fields, and a high-energy aftermovie capturing the full spirit of the festival.
To bring both to life, the entire process — from pre-production to post-production — was handled in-house. Our team worked on-site throughout the five-day, 24/7 festival, including a live editor cutting footage in real time.
We sat down with Junior, cinematographer and videographer at Fat Mango Studios, to reflect on what it really takes to deliver at this scale.
Two projects, two very different challenges
To manage the workload, the crew was split into two units.
One team focused on the documentary, which required:
Controlled sound environments
Clean, focused interviews
Visuals that felt calm, thoughtful, and immersive
But at a festival that never stops, quiet moments are rare. Interviews had to be scheduled within short windows, often coordinating around participants who were also running their own installations or vendor spaces.
The second team worked on the aftermovie, chasing movement, energy, and atmosphere — capturing performances, crowd moments, workshops, and the rhythm of the festival as it unfolded.
Both projects required constant movement, quick decisions, and the ability to adapt in real time.
Production at full intensity
Working five days straight at a live festival is exactly as tough as it sounds.
Long hours, tight turnarounds, unpredictable conditions — and high expectations. Wonderfruit is one of the region’s most respected festivals, and being trusted to document it was both an honour and a responsibility.
But what stood out most was the environment itself.
Despite the pressure, the energy on-site was unmatched. From organisers to artists to vendors, everyone was fully committed to what they were building. That collective momentum carried the production team through the most demanding moments.
As Junior shared, the experience became less about individual endurance and more about team resilience.
When the challenges are real
By the end of the project, the team had faced more than just long hours:
A sprained ankle
Swollen faces from insect bites
An editor’s car breaking down mid-production
But none of it stopped the work.
Because at a live event, the timeline doesn’t move. The festival keeps going — and so do you.
Having worked together over time, the team already knew how to operate under pressure. There was trust in the workflow, trust in each other, and the confidence that when one person stepped in, another could rest.
That trust made the difference.
The value of spontaneity
Like any large production, the project began with moodboards, shot lists, and structured planning.
But one of the biggest takeaways was this:
The best moments weren’t always planned.
During the festival, the team made space for instinct — moving through the environment, staying curious, and responding to what felt visually powerful.
One of the standout shots in the final aftermovie — a woman immersed in music under deep red lighting — came from this kind of spontaneous initiative.
Without that freedom to explore, the moment wouldn’t have existed.
Stronger than expected
Projects like Wonderfruit test more than technical skill. They test endurance, adaptability, and mindset.
By the end of the five days, the biggest realisation was simple:
Everyone was capable of more than they thought.
The experience pushed the team physically and creatively — and proved that preparation, trust, and shared purpose can carry you through even the most demanding productions.
For Fat Mango, being part of Wonderfruit wasn’t just about delivering two films.
It was about learning, growing, and showing up — together — when the pressure is highest.
Because sometimes, the most valuable outcome of a project isn’t just the final video.
It’s the team that comes out stronger on the other side.