Take the feature film Victoria (2015), which captivates viewers without a single visible cut. Or the series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023), famous for its impressive tracking shots. Especially remarkable are the fluid camera movements that glide through rooms and scenes, combined with the perfectly choreographed actions around the lens. The result? A real-time experience full of micro-moments that pull you in and leave you with a sense of wonder.

Our video production team at movingimage has used this wow effect to great success—multiple times.

Using the wow effect of the onetake – Example 1: Leonardo Hotels

The onetake proved to be a perfect choice for the Leonardo Hotels recruiting video, which was concepted and produced by the movingimage video team. A flowing Steadicam shot offered an elegant way to showcase the interior of the Berlin location—from the lobby to the bar to the lounge area.

But the onetake also allowed us to introduce the hotel staff in a dynamic and memorable way: behind every corner the camera turned, another team member appeared, accompanied by a voiceover sharing their personal success story. These vignettes spark curiosity and invite viewers to learn more about the hotel group.

The onetake also added a strong layer of authenticity. After all, what better proof of a well-coordinated team than staff executing every room transition, cue, and action flawlessly in a single take?

Fun fact: The CEO of Leonardo Hotels, who had a key role in the scene, had an earlier appointment than expected—so the crew had just half a day to shoot instead of a full one. The pressure was on to nail the perfect take early and execute all movements and transitions smoothly. In the end, it worked out beautifully—on the fourth try!

Watch the final video here:

Example 2: the promo video for our in-house product

Another striking example of the onetake format is the final episode of our mini promo series for the in-house Virtual Events tool. In this scene, a previously overwhelmed communications manager is finally able to relax and celebrate in the office—thanks to movingimage.

Compared to the Leonardo Hotels shoot, this production was less complex: fewer people, fewer moving parts, and a single location.

However, the limited frame made things challenging. The story was told entirely around the protagonist, using a body-mounted Snorricam that kept her at the center of every moment.

Filmed in slow motion, the onetake was particularly effective because it provided a powerful visual contrast to the opening episode of the series—which was fast-paced, chaotic, and intentionally jarring.

Watch the final episode here:

Tip: why not shoot your own onetake?

A well-done onetake in a corporate video doesn’t just grab attention—it’s also a lot of fun to film! Even with a limited budget, you can give it a try using a smartphone and a compatible gimbal, which are now widely available at affordable prices.

What else should you keep in mind to make your onetake stand out from just another office walk-through?

Your onetake should be no longer than one to one and a half minutes. And a lot should be happening throughout. Be sure to plan in advance who from your team will do what, when, and where. Then rehearse the entire sequence several times—ideally before the actual shoot day.