Watch: Meet The Maltese Crew Hired To Film Superyacht Ilma
Many may know the Ritz-Carlton for its globally spread luxury hotels and yachts, or from our recent post about the company’s latest addition to its fleet named ‘Ilma’.
However, there’s more to Ilma than meets the eye. Having been registered in Valletta and given a Maltese name, the yacht’s association with our homeland lies also within the video production team chosen for hire.
Local filmmaker Eric Bartolo, a seasoned veteran in the cinematic arts, reprises his role, with Ilma being his third project with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Alongside two other local talents, Jurgen Spiteri and Jurgen Aquilina.
The team was welcomed aboard Ilma on a nine-day production escapade around the Mediterranean early August to film promotional material for the yacht. Using drones for aerial shots and high-end camera equipment for first-person shots, the crew filmed the vessel’s intricately designed dining venues and luxury suites.
“The assignment focused on architectural shots, showcasing the interior design of various spaces, including five distinct dining venues and multiple suite categories. Our voyage began in Lisbon, where the yacht was docked, and continued through the Strait of Gibraltar, followed by four days at sea before reaching Valletta. From there, we sailed to the south of France, with stops in Saint-Tropez and Marseille.” told LovinMalta.
The accommodations mentioned include 224 spacious suites glimmering with natural light, all with private terraces, to accommodate of a whopping total of 448 guests. Five fine-dining restaurants with six bars as well as a wine vault, something for everyone, especially foodies.
On the topic of fine-dining, onboard the Ilma, the crew were met with the most cordial hospitality, being treated to an exclusive 11-course meal prepared by Michelin-starred chef Fabio Trabocchi.
This same hospitality was crucial for the team to capture in their filming. Eric says:
“As you can imagine, the yacht is finished to the highest of standards, focusing on delivering an exceptional guest experience. Capturing these details was essential to convey the level of hospitality and luxurious service that The Ritz Carlton offers.”
Safe to say, their efforts hadn’t gone unnoticed, and with good reason. Eric goes on to give us a glimpse into the process of filming aboard the yacht:
“As always, the shoot was intense and demanding, and their help was essential to capture multiple perspectives as efficiently as possible… A great deal of planning and preparation went into the shoot, including weekly meetings to discuss logistics and coordinate with the other teams on board. We also had to obtain the necessary permits and authorisations to fly in different countries and ports according to their specific regulations. Coordinating with the captain on board was essential to ensure smooth flight operations.”
After their journey, Eric was able to provide us with the fruits of their labours, a dazzling showcase of the yacht’s full glory.
Make sure to check out more of Eric and the team’s works on their socials!
Would you hire these guys to film your events?