Timelapse & Hyperlapse Showreel
Construction, events, and creative projects
Watch our showreel featuring diverse timelapse techniques across construction sites, events, and creative productions
Timelapse photography has revolutionized how we document long-duration events, compressing hours, days, or even years into captivating seconds of footage. At Media Hog Productions, we've perfected this technique across hundreds of projects, from construction sites to product launches.
Whether you're documenting a year-long construction project or capturing the energy of a day-long event, timelapse offers a unique perspective that traditional video simply can't achieve. It reveals patterns, progressions, and transformations invisible to the naked eye.
What You'll Learn
Essential Equipment & Setup
Professional timelapse requires more than just a camera on a tripod. The right equipment ensures consistency, reliability, and stunning results across extended shooting periods.
Camera Systems
Primary Cameras
- Canon EOS R5 - 45MP stills, excellent battery life, built-in intervalometer
- Sony α7R V - 61MP resolution, advanced weather sealing, dual card slots
- Specialized Timelapse Cameras - Brinno TLC2020 for long-term projects
Pro Tip: Battery Management
For shoots exceeding 24 hours, we use external power solutions like V-mount batteries or AC adapters. A single V-mount can power a mirrorless camera for 48-72 hours of continuous shooting.
Stabilization & Motion Control
Static timelapses tell one story, but adding controlled motion creates cinema-quality sequences that command attention.
Sliders & Rails
- • Edelkrone SliderPLUS v5 PRO
- • Rhino Arc II for curved motion
- • Custom 20ft rails for construction
Pan/Tilt Heads
- • Syrp Genie II 3-axis
- • eMotimo spectrum ST4
- • Custom Arduino-based systems
Core Techniques & Interval Calculations
The secret to compelling timelapse lies in choosing the right interval. Too short, and motion appears jerky. Too long, and you miss crucial moments.
| Subject | Interval | Duration | Final Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic / Crowds | 1-2 seconds | 30 min | 15-30 sec |
| Clouds | 3-5 seconds | 2-3 hours | 20-30 sec |
| Construction | 5-10 minutes | Months | 2-3 min |
| Plant Growth | 15-30 minutes | Weeks | 30-60 sec |
The 180-Degree Rule Formula
Calculate your shutter speed for smooth motion blur:
Shutter Speed = Interval ÷ 2 For a 4-second interval, use a 2-second shutter speed. This creates natural motion blur, making movement appear smooth rather than staccato.
Industry Applications
Construction & Infrastructure
Document months of progress in minutes. We've captured everything from the Crossrail project to residential developments, providing stakeholders with compelling progress documentation.
- • Project milestone documentation
- • Health & safety compliance records
- • Marketing materials for developments
Events & Exhibitions
Capture the energy of your event from setup to breakdown. Perfect for showing scale, attendance, and atmosphere in shareable social content.
- • Conference hall transformations
- • Exhibition stand builds
- • Crowd flow visualization
Scientific & Research
Document experiments, growth patterns, and phenomena. We work with universities and research facilities to visualize data in compelling ways.
- • Laboratory experiments
- • Environmental monitoring
- • Manufacturing processes
Post-Production Workflow
The magic of timelapse often happens in post-production, where thousands of individual frames become a cohesive narrative. Our workflow ensures maximum quality while maintaining efficiency.
1. Image Processing & Selection
- • RAW Development: Process RAW files for maximum dynamic range and color depth
- • Deflickering: Remove exposure variations between frames using LRTimelapse or similar tools
- • Frame Selection: Remove problematic frames (workers in shot, equipment movements)
2. Stabilization & Motion
- • Warp Stabilizer: Apply in After Effects for handheld or wind-affected shots
- • Motion Smoothing: Refine slider or pan movements for cinematic feel
- • Hyperlapse Stabilization: Advanced tracking for walking timelapse sequences
3. Color Grading & Export
- • Day-to-Night Transitions: Smooth color temperature shifts for 24-hour captures
- • LUT Application: Apply consistent look across multiple sequences
- • Format Optimization: Export in 4K, 8K, or custom resolutions as needed
Our Software Stack
Primary Tools
- • Adobe Lightroom (RAW processing)
- • LRTimelapse (deflickering)
- • Adobe After Effects (stabilization)
- • DaVinci Resolve (color grading)
Specialized Tools
- • Helicon Focus (focus stacking)
- • PTGui (360° stitching)
- • Topaz Video AI (upscaling)
- • Frame.io (client review)
Frame Rate Consideration
We typically deliver at 24fps for cinematic feel, but can provide 30fps or 60fps for broadcast or social media. Higher frame rates work best for fast-moving subjects like traffic or crowds.
Real-World Case Studies
AtkinsRéalis Rail Upgrade Timelapse
A challenging 4-day continuous timelapse documenting critical rail infrastructure upgrades in Southeast UK. This project showcased our ability to capture construction work in demanding conditions with no access to mains power.
Technical Setup:
- → 1x external camera positioned for optimal coverage
- → 4 days continuous capture with no mains power
- → Large battery packs providing 96+ hours operation
- → Super clamp mounting for secure infrastructure attachment
- → Waterproof camera housing for weather protection
- → Low-light capable sensor for overnight works
Result: Delivered comprehensive documentation of the entire upgrade process, including night works, providing AtkinsRéalis with valuable project insights and marketing material.
Click to watch the full timelapse
Mont Blanc Graffiti Mural Timelapse
In 2021, Mont Blanc commissioned us to create short-form content for their new luxury suitcase range. The project involved documenting a large-scale mural being painted in East London over two days, showcasing the intersection of street art and luxury brand storytelling.
Creative Approach:
- → 3-camera setup for dynamic storytelling
- → 1x stationary GoPro capturing the full wall transformation
- → 2x high-res DSLRs for roaming detail shots
- → Multiple angles providing editorial flexibility
- → Social-first editing optimized for multiple platforms
Impact: The campaign was a resounding success. Our footage was featured in the extensive video promo and adapted for various short-form social media content, demonstrating how timelapse can elevate luxury brand storytelling.
Two-day mural creation captured in dynamic timelapse
Key Challenges Overcome:
- • Exterior shoot with unpredictable weather
- • Maintaining brand aesthetic while documenting street art
- • Creating multiple formats from single shoot
- • Balancing artist process with brand messaging
Alexander McQueen x Jonathan Glazer - Thames Tidal Project
Our most prestigious timelapse project to date - working with visionary director Jonathan Glazer and fashion house Alexander McQueen via Academy Films. The brief: capture "the guts of the city" through the rhythm of the Thames tide over multiple 12-hour shoots.
Project Scale:
- → 6-hour tidal cycles captured in their entirety
- → 12-hour exterior shoots in December conditions
- → Multiple Thames locations showing London's heartbeat
- → Cinema-grade output for global campaign
Global Impact: Our footage became the campaign teaser, displayed on Piccadilly Circus screens for multiple days, Times Square NYC, and projected onto the Burj Khalifa in Dubai - a testament to the power of expertly crafted timelapse.
Thames tidal movements captured for global fashion campaign
Technical Excellence:
- • Cold weather equipment protection
- • Precise tidal timing coordination
- • Cinema-quality color grading
- • Multiple format deliverables for global screens
Ready to Capture Time?
Whether you need to document a day-long event or a year-long project, our timelapse experts can help you tell your story in a uniquely compelling way.