Making Liquids Dance: A Conversation with Barry Makariou

Behind every mesmerizing liquid shot and stunning slow-motion sequence lies a world of precision, innovation, and creative vision. Barry Makariou, a renowned food & drink director and photographer, has mastered making liquids dance on screen. 

We’ve been connected for years, and Barry Makariou has contributed multiple times to our community. His viral behind-the-scenes content has garnered millions of views, inspiring the entire FilmmakersWorld audience. 

With an impressive client portfolio featuring global brands like Milka, Diet Coke, and Baileys, he continues to push the boundaries of recent projects, showcasing Virtual production with Unreal Engine and special effects rigging and automation.

Barry believes in taking the viewer right to the heart of the action, immersing them in a liquid world using ASMR.

Today, we’re excited to share an exclusive interview with Barry Makariou to explore the fascinating world of liquid specialist directing and discover the secrets behind his captivating work.

Your fascination with bubbles as a child evolved into a remarkable career in the liquid directory. How did this journey begin, and what made you realize this would become your specialty?

As a child, I questioned why a single droplet of water kept its shape on plastic but not on glass. I love working with difficult subjects. Making the impossible possible is what I enjoy most. Working with liquids has its challenges. I always want the viewer to think how they do that! I love to inspire and appeal to amateurs and pros…

From high-speed cameras to motion control robots, how has technology transformed your approach to liquid cinematography over the past 25 years?

Automation is key to an efficient shoot, liquid has to be controlled and manipulated. Motion control can be constant, with a move teamed up with special effects rigging, allows me to perfect the shot we use specialist pistons and droppers all in sync with the robot…Oreo / biscioff shoot is a great example.

I’m very fortunate that the likes of Ember released the freefly allowing me an affordable high speed option. The option of full 5k @6oofps is great for clients. The Phantom is still king with its dynamic range.

The Mountain Dew project required 72 films in 6 days. How do you maintain quality and creative vision in such complex productions?

Shoot days are nothing in comparison to prep days! I’m a believer that a great shoot starts well before. Careful planning, going through every detail is vital. Anything that is specific to the brief, I test beforehand, I leave no stone unturned.
I build a good relationship with the heads before shoot days to make sure we are all aligned and for any potential problems to be solved. Overtime can prove to be very costly. A great 1st AD is vital to keeping us in check with timings.

Every liquid shot is unique, even with the same product. What’s your creative process when approaching a new project, and how do you ensure each shot captures something special?

I research what’s already out there and aim to take inspiration.  I use this as a starting point. I love to push boundaries, manipulating liquids is endless. Just because something has been done, I aim to.

Your work often defies physics. Could you share your favorite techniques for achieving these ‘impossible’ shots?

The more difficult something is to achieve, the more I want to do it. I love to create, not capture. Often creating a bespoke rig with special effects gives you something unique.
The biggest compliment is when I see others re-create what I do, I love to inspire. Some people get offended but I’ve moved on by this point.

ASMR has become a significant part of your portfolio. How do you create these sensory journeys, and what unique challenges do they present?

ASMR for me is taking the viewer along for the ride immersing them in a whole new world.

Your ‘How It’s Made’ series regularly goes viral with 500K+ views. Why do you think people are so fascinated by the technical side of liquid cinematography?

Professional insights are tough as there is a limited audience. I like to appeal to not only fellow professionals but also the general public. The 1st 3 sec are vital, creating intrigue, the hook is so important. People like to see ‘ how adverts are made ‘.

Providing a unique insight into this process is hard as when you are on a job you are consumed by everything and everyone. I’m now fortunate that my son is following in my footsteps and is no fils all my behind the scenes.

How have social networks impacted your work in this industry, and how have they helped you find new opportunities and experiences?

For me, social media is crucial in developing your own brand. Filmmakersworld has really helped me grow over the years with successful posts being seen by Millions!

It’s an opportunity for potential clients to get to know you and how you work. You now have to be your own brand on social media. If you create good content for yourself, then it speaks volumes for a potential client.

With virtual production walls and CGI integration, how do you see the future of liquid specialist directing evolving?

Right now, most walls are limited to 240fps, we are currently testing 600fps+ with our VP solution. Lifestyle + Drinks is a great combo right now. CGI in the form of Unreal Engine is a valuable tool for the VP backdrops to be able to tweak every aspect of the backdrop. CGI is ever evolving and can be enhanced by AI.

Is AI already impacting your niche? If so, can you share how it’s influencing your work?

AI is evolving very fast. I’m currently working with a world-renowned AI creator and now have a great understanding of what’s possible and more importantly what isn’t!

For best results, we are using my existing work and elevating with an interesting twist. So far AI is proving very helpful for treatments. Writing a treatment is now the same art as you need to prompt for text to images, which is proving very interesting. If you have a great creative mind, AI will help bring your script to life. The 1st 3 Star Wars films couldn’t be done for many years as the tech wasn’t there to bring it to life.

What advice would you give aspiring directors wanting to specialize in liquid cinematography?

The beauty of food + drink is that it’s easily available. Beer / Whisky / Coffee are all affordable and off the shelf. Other specialist sectors can get very expensive!

I’d take a good look at everything that is already out there. Create your style, who you are, and what you can bring to a brand are you a messy splashy person or is everything perfect.
You need to show your vision of how you see the world. Mine is Big & bold up close and personal full of texture. I like to immerse the viewer into the product.

What’s your next project/challenge?

I’ve challenged myself to create a new long form series, I’ve used my recent OOH campaign for MILKA to film a set tour where I walk and talk and explain what we are doing that day and give valuable personal insights into the set. I talk through food styling, props, motion control, lenses and lighting. I’m planning to see if this will be valuable to my followers…

I can’t really talk about my upcoming projects! But I’m currently working on personal AI integration. Also pushing the boundaries with Virtual production, we have recently achieved 1000fps using a new VP wall. The challenge is staying relevant and creating something that clients never knew they wanted!

Wanted to take this opportunity to thank FilmmakersWorld for my continued success. They have been there helping me grow.

Our community is fragile at times and we need the exposure of big accounts to get us in front of the right people.
Barry Makariou

The interview wraps up here, but Barry Makariou ’s unique approach to liquid photography and cinematography keeps sparking creativity, offering fresh perspectives on visual storytelling.

Thank you so much, Barry, for your amazing work and for being part of our community since the very beginning. It was a pleasure for us to interview you and learn more about your work and experience.

And thank you, fam, for reading! If you want to dive deeper into Barry’s incredible work, check out his website. And if you missed our previous articles, go give them a read!

Much love!
FilmmakersWorld Team

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