Filming a Day in the Life of Tree Removal Experts
This project was a personal and creative exploration of visual storytelling through documentary-style filming. Milones Tree Solutions (formerly known as Milones Tree and Lawn Solutions) spent a full day at a family member’s home for extensive tree removal work. Seeing a unique opportunity to capture the process, I asked the crew if they were comfortable being filmed throughout the day-they kindly agreed.
My Role
I handled the entire production process, from filming on my mobile phone to editing the final piece in Final Cut Pro. I approached the video not just as a work demo, but as a chance to craft something with sentimental value and visual appeal. By observing the natural rhythm of their work and capturing key moments with a cinematic eye, I was able to tell a compelling visual story that required no dialogue.
Creative Direction
The edit was designed to transition smoothly from a calm, nature-inspired tone to the energetic, action-focused core of the work.
- Opening Sequence: The video opens with black-and-white shots of the yard before work begins. As soft music plays (Morning Mood by Edvard Grieg), colour slowly fades in, creating a peaceful, almost meditative mood.
- Nature Visuals: Enhanced shots of green tree branches silhouetted against a bright blue sky help immerse the viewer in a “morning in nature” atmosphere.
- Shift in Tone: The screen fades to black. The music cuts out. A chainsaw roars to life, launching the viewer into the workday. From this point on, the video is paired with a more upbeat soundtrack to match the energy of the work.
- Main Content: The rest of the video follows the team’s work in a natural sequence-scaling trees in harnesses, cutting branches, and feeding them into the wood chipper. Their logo subtly appears in the bottom-right corner and stays on screen throughout.
Finishing Touches
To close the video, I created a clean and simple custom animation for their logo. It appears in three steps:
- Business Name
- Descriptive Tagline
- Tree Animation – A small illustrated tree gently pops into the “O” of Milones, accompanied by a light “ding” sound to give the moment a satisfying finish.
This subtle motion design element helps the brand feel professional and memorable without distracting from the rest of the story.
What I Learned
This project reminded me how much can be done with minimal gear if you lean into story, rhythm, and atmosphere. Even without dialogue or narration, the final result feels complete and immersive-just by letting the visuals and sound design carry the viewer through the experience.
Watch on YouTube