Hinterland Music Festival is a hidden gem in Iowa that has grown steadily since its inception, becoming a destination for music lovers seeking great performances and unforgettable vibes. We recently created a 15-second festival TV ad for Hinterland Music Festival to announce their 2025 lineup, featuring Tyler the Creator, Lana Del Rey, and Kacey Musgraves. This project captured the heart of what makes Hinterland so special—three days of music, joy, and connection.

Capturing the Festival Spirit

The creative challenge for this spot was to pack the magic of a three-day festival into just 15 seconds. Our approach centered on showcasing fast-paced, exciting shots of the festival experience, paired with dynamic text announcing the headliners. We carefully selected a compelling track from Audiio, cutting each shot to the beat to create an engaging and energetic sequence.

This wasn’t just about the headliners, though—they’re obviously a huge draw, but we also wanted to highlight what makes Hinterland special: the smiles, the laughter, the dancing, and the joy shared by festival goers. Last year, Reed spent three days filming a group of friends enjoying the festival, focusing on those authentic, unforgettable moments of connection. Helping this group relive their experience.

Turning Passion into Opportunity

Interestingly, this collaboration stemmed from a project I did for free. Last year, I filmed the festival for a friend who organized a group to attend. As a music lover, it felt natural to say yes—it was an opportunity to do something I loved while capturing moments that align with VivHaus’ focus on storytelling. Those videos were eventually seen by the right people, and just like that, the door to this opportunity opened.

It’s a reminder of how pursuing projects you’re passionate about—especially ones aligned with your goals—can lead to unexpected and exciting opportunities. Sometimes, putting in the work, investing in your craft and saying yes to the right opportunities is all it takes to move forward.

Lessons Learned

This project taught us a lot about collaboration, problem-solving, and creativity under constraints. For one, filming the festival last year came with its own set of challenges. I didn’t have full access, so I worked as just another attendee, sticking with the group I was filming for. While it limited the variety of shots, it pushed me to get creative with the footage I had.

The editing process also sharpened my skills in working with short-form video. With the goal of a 15-second festival TV ad we had to carefully craft it to highlight the energy of Hinterland. Squeezing the essence of a three-day event into just 15 seconds wasn’t easy, but it pushed me to think outside the box and maximize the impact of every shot. Ben and I also found a great workflow as a team—he handled the color grading and final polish, while I focused on the edit itself.

Looking Ahead

This TV spot wasn’t just an exciting project; it was a testament to the power of storytelling and the value of following your passions. Hinterland Music Festival is about more than just music—it’s a celebration of community and connection. We’re proud to have captured that spirit, and we’re excited to see where opportunities like this lead VivHaus in the future.

If you’re looking for a creative team to help bring your vision to life, whether it’s a compelling TV ad or an engaging brand story, VivHaus is here to help. Reach out to us today and let’s start creating something amazing together. Reach out to us here.