Inside the Craft: The Making of “Manfrotto ONE Hybrid” by Zac Hancock

An editorial feature created in collaboration with Zac Hancock and supported by Manfrotto.

Few projects capture the pure craft, travel, and creative energy of filmmaking quite like this one!

Over four weeks of set builds, ten days of shooting, two countries, and a lifetime’s worth of creative energy, director Zac Hancock and his crew at Full Send Studios transformed a simple idea into one of the most ambitious creator-led campaigns of the year. It was for the launch of the Manfrotto ONE Hybrid tripod.

This wasn’t just a commercial; it was a film for filmmakers, by filmmakers. A reminder that creativity still matters more than algorithms. And as always, we want to spotlight stories like this.

From an Idea to an Odyssey

It started with a single question: how far can one tripod go?

The answer took Zac and his team across borders and disciplines. They moved from a 15-metre warehouse set in Manchester to a 100-metre cliff face in Malta.

Every sequence pushed the limits of what could be done practically. The project combined storytelling, physical craft, and filmmaking energy that turns chaos into poetry.

Zac explained that the commercial had to be relatable for hybrid creators in 2025. In reality, these are often one-man bands with incredible skill sets and huge ambitions. Ten years ago, this would have taken a 10-man team.

Therefore, he wanted each shot to be a showcase for all kinds of creatives. This included VFX/AI guys, adrenaline junkies, photographers, travelers, talking heads, or transition nutcases.

This video is a celebration of creativity through a tool that gives accessibility to everyone and every idea.
Zac Hancock

Building Worlds from Scratch

The team built a full-scale set that would allow the viewer to re-live the entire commercial in one singular shot. It comprises four interconnected rooms that blend practical and digital elements seamlessly in a single take.

Every wall was hand-painted, every transition designed to move from one creative world to another, photo, video, motion, story.

Manfrotto’s heritage in photography became a bridge to a new generation of hybrid creators.

Zac described it as a brand statement, not just for Manfrotto. It was also for the idea that filmmaking can still be hands-on, human, and a little bit chaotic.

Between late nights, paint fumes, and the constant hum of drills, the set became a metaphor for the creative process itself: messy, alive, and built from passion.

Curveballs, Confidence, and Collaboration

The project wasn’t smooth. Tight schedules, unexpected VFX challenges, a few locked doors (and alarms going off at 9 PM). But it was in those moments that’s when the team’s chemistry came through.

Zac reflects that for a long time, he struggled with imposter syndrome, wondering if his ideas would actually work.

Now I’ve learned to trust the chaos. If you stop being nervous, you stop growing.
Zac Hancock

From family members helping build props to VFX artists like Johan Barrios at TK FX Studios extending sets in CGI, every challenge became proof of what collaboration can do.

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The Library of Stories

The sequence took place inside a grand old library — the symbolic heart of the film. Rows of books, chalkboards, and light beams turned into a metaphor for storytelling itself. Every tripod position and every frame were like stories waiting to be told.

“This is where you choose your storytelling method: photo, video, or both. Everything with one tool.”

The scene connected Manfrotto’s photographic roots with its cinematic evolution, reminding creators that hybrid doesn’t mean compromise, it means possibility.

Hanging by a Thread

The shoot opened on a literal edge! Alex, Zac’s long-time collaborator, was suspended from a cliff to prove how far the ONE Hybrid could go.

The setup: three ropes, a hundred-metre drop, one tripod.

What began as madness became magic. As the sun dropped over the Maltese rocks, the sequence captured the essence of the whole project. It showcased risk, ingenuity, and the belief that limits are meant to be tested.

Stop-Motion, Music, and Motion

From there, the film exploded into a montage of creative chaos: stop-motion transitions, DJ setups, motion rigs, and fast-paced macro shots. This showed how a single tool could shape a thousand looks.

Some shots cost nothing — just Zac, Alex, and a tripod in the dirt. Others involved 20-person crews, heavy lighting rigs, and seamless VFX compositing.
For Zac, it was about showing every kind of creator, from bedroom filmmaker to full production house. Because storytelling isn’t about budget, it’s about intent and the willpower to make it happen.

Each scene flowed into the next, blending precision and raw filmmaking energy. This is the same energy that defines much of the FilmmakersWorld community.

The Final Ride

The last sequence closed with a rush of adrenaline, a motocross scene shot at golden hour. Dust and engines collided in a finale that screamed freedom.

Filming with the riders brought every theme full circle: balance, motion, control, and trust. It was a literal dance between chaos and precision.

Zac called it “the moment where it all comes together, or dramatically fails.”

And in our opinion… it certainly came together.

Legacy and Gratitude

In the final moments, Zac shared an emotional thank-you to everyone who poured their heart into the film. From Manchester to Malta, from builders to bikers, from crew to collaborators, everyone was thanked.

He expressed deep gratitude to the partners who made it possible: Manfrotto, Litepanels, SmallHD, Wooden Camera, Anton Bauer, and Canon. The warehouse also let us take over their space for 6 weeks, along with countless others who believed in the vision.

He closed by reminding the team and the viewers that this was more than a campaign. It was proof that creative storytelling still matters. Craft can unite people, and even a single tool can inspire limitless ideas.

Final Thoughts

Projects like “Manfrotto ONE Hybrid” remind us why this community exists.
Behind every brand and every frame, creators are pushing themselves further than the brief requires. This is done for the love of the craft.

From Malta to Manchester, Zac Hancock and his incredible team turned filmmaking into a shared adventure. They proved that creativity, collaboration, and pure spirit still make all the difference.

A huge congratulations to Zac and the entire Full Send Studios crew for their outstanding work and infectious energy. A heartfelt thank-you to the Manfrotto team, especially Simon, for making collaboration possible with the FilmmakersWorld community.

Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about… stories, passion, and the people who keep filmmaking alive.

The Manfrotto One Hybrid

Want to learn more about the tool at the heart of this project? Discover the Manfrotto ONE Hybrid — designed for creators who move seamlessly between photo and video.

Gear & Credits

Camera: Canon C80, R5C, R5
Lenses: Canon K35 Primes, RF 15–35, 28–70, EF 70–200, EF 16–35, Laowa 12 mm
Tripod: Manfrotto ONE Hybrid
Production Company: Full Send Studios
Director: Zac Hancock
DOP: Scott Clarkson
Talent: Alex Boulton
Producer: Bronte Victoria Pennells
VFX: TK FX Studios – Johan Barrios
Art Department: Fullsend Studios & Francesca Mercieca
Lighting & Grip: Drop City Ltd
Sound: Valerio Sound
Photography: George Creates
Locations: Manchester (UK), Malta

Have you ever seen Zac’s explosive first campaign about a tripod? Explore the article we dedicated to it.
Brilliant as always!