BEHIND THE SCENES OF WONDERY'S MR. BALLEN PODCAST EVENT

When you get the chance to film a live podcast event for one of the biggest names in audio storytelling, you show up early, bring your A-game, and maybe pack a few extra lights. That’s exactly what we did for Wondery, the Amazon-owned podcast network known for premium shows and top-tier production.

The event featured Mr. Ballen, one of Wondery’s most popular storytellers, live on stage for a one-hour panel discussion. The vibe? Think insightful, mysterious, and totally binge-worthy. The challenge? Capture it flawlessly—in real time!

Our Setup: No Second Takes

This wasn’t your average shoot. We rolled in early and spent 3–4 hours prepping and staging the event space for perfection. We brought a complete and comprehensive camera setup, so we could capture every moment from every angle:

• One stationary cam for consistent wide and center coverage

• Two close-up cam for speakers detail

• One gimbal-operated cam for dynamic crowd and reaction shots

The twist? We didn’t just film the event... We lit the entire stage ourselves. While most event spaces rely on built-in AV crews, we came prepared with professional-grade lighting to give the panel that cinematic polish. (Yes, we can and will travel with our own lighting arsenal. And yes, it makes a difference.)

For Wondery, we produced:

• A full-length, polished recording of the event (over one hour)

• Social media assets clipped from the footage, optimized for maximum reach

Live events are unpredictable... They're a totally different animal compared to "traditional video shoots". There are no do-overs, no re-shoots, no fixing it in post if something goes wrong. That’s why planning, preparation, and precision are key. From the second we stepped into the venue, we were ready to deliver.

Beyond just filming, this kind of project also demands intense coordination. We collaborated closely with Wondery’s team to ensure our camera angles and shots aligned with what they envisioned not only for the event, but for their social strategy as well.

One thing we’ve learned from doing this nearly every week is that clients don’t just need a recording... They need usable, flexible content. From a corporate event to a product launch or podcast taping, the footage we create could and should plug directly into your marketing, PR, and social workflows.

And that's also why this blog isn’t just a recap... it’s a statement of capability ;)

If you're a brand planning a panel discussion, fireside chat, or high-stakes live event, and you want a team that can handle everything from stage lighting to multi-cam coverage to final editing... We're that team.

Event-Ready, Venue-Tested

We work with venues across NYC and beyond. We carry the proper insurance, understand venue requirements, and have the crew to scale up or down depending on the scope.

From corporate event capture to live branded content, Jonnypuetz Productions is built for live storytelling, whether it’s a viral social cut or a full keynote production.

Let’s make your next event look as good as it feels. Reach out to see what we can do.