Many Hands Make Restaurants Work: A Dynamic Campaign with Restaurants Canada

Many Hands Make Restaurants Work: A Dynamic Campaign with Restaurants Canada

March 13th, 2026 - Kevin Nault

We do well telling stories that highlight the essential people who keep our communities running. Recently, we had the opportunity to team up with Restaurants Canada and House of Common Studio to produce a commercial campaign shining a light on the vital role foreign workers play in the hospitality industry.

Built around the core message and tagline, “Many Hands Make Restaurants Work,” this project was designed to celebrate teamwork, diversity, and the collective effort required to fuel the restaurants we all love.

A Collaborative Powerhouse

Bringing this vision to life required a seamless partnership across multiple teams. Working alongside our friends at House of Common (Photography, Casting, and Co-Direction), Ode Films stepped in to take on the video production. Our role encompassed interpreting the client's story, location scouting, breaking down the script, and engineering a highly detailed production schedule to make the magic happen.

Crafting a Fast-Paced Visual Identity

The initial creative prompt called for a Wes Anderson-inspired aesthetic. We leaned into this with deliberate symmetry, energetic whip-pans, and rapid-fire tilts to establish a distinct, fast-paced visual rhythm. As the shoot progressed, we allowed the visual language to evolve organically, blending the initial prompt with our own instincts to create a unique, vibrant style that perfectly captured the energy of a bustling restaurant environment. The focus remained firmly on the diverse, hardworking hands that make the industry thrive.

Precision Under Pressure

Every production has its unique hurdles, and for this campaign, it was the timeline. The shoot date was unexpectedly pushed up by an entire month, giving us just three weeks from first contact to final delivery and a final creative lock just days before cameras rolled.

To capture an ambitious list of 37 distinct shots in a single 12-hour day within a crowded tiny restaurant, we had to be incredibly agile. The success of the shoot and the final edit came down to meticulous prep. Thanks to tight coordination between our Senior Production Team, the shot list was hammered down to the minute. This intense preparation allowed us to navigate the demanding schedule seamlessly and capture everything we needed without sacrificing quality.

Delivering the Vision

We are absolutely ecstatic with the outcome. Despite a timeline that demanded peak efficiency, the final work looks fantastic and the core message is crystal clear. We proved that pressure really can make diamonds.

We always strive to push our creative boundaries, and while we would never say no to an extra week of pre-production, this project stands as a testament to what our team can accomplish when we lean on each other. This proves to us that behind the camera, just as in the kitchen, many hands make the work shine.

Credits -

Client: @restaurantscanada

Production Companies: @houseofcommon.studio x @ode_films

Director / Executive Producer: @remitheriault
Producer: @kevin.nault
Producer: @kaitlabbate
On-Set AD / Photographer: @maryn.devine

DOP / Editor / Colourist: @chrisgsnow
1st AC: @kevin.nault
Gaffer: @nick_hermier
Grip / 2nd AC: @geghanifoto

HMU: @onefinebeauty
Food Stylist: @marysolfoucault
Casting Director: @kaitlabbate

Cast / Talent: @bpjumps @mandaa_lowe @nambryanle @aprilbeaulieu_
@daria.mansfield_ @jewelfergusonmason @paulmelsness @alex_desjardins10
Talent Agencies: @mimmodels @angiesmodels

Camera Rentals: @origincamerarental
Location: @dinette.atomique