Two Days in Pittsburgh with Sheetz

Bulldog spent two full days in Pittsburgh shooting inside a busy Sheetz store and it was one of those projects that keeps you on your toes from the moment you walk in. The purpose was a hiring promotion for Sheetz so the goal was to capture real energy, smiling faces, and the feeling of being part of their team.

The location was live which meant we were working in tight spaces surrounded by real customers. We were dodging shoppers, waiting for moments of quiet that never fully came, and making the most of the space without disrupting the flow of the store. The hum of conversations, the hiss of espresso machines, and the sound of the door opening every few seconds became part of the rhythm of the shoot. Since this was part of a hiring promotion, only the loudest of noises was considered since the rest came across more like atmosphere.

I was DP on the Sony Burano and handled more than just framing shots. I was also occasionally directing talent, making shot and schedule adjustments on the fly, and handling audio via a wireless lav set up We provided the client with a wireless video set up as well with the DJI SDR Transmission combo and an iPad mini. It was a really elegant solution for an affordable set up.

My assistant was a huge part of the process. They handled lighting, managed cables, grabbed gear at a moment’s notice, and generally kept everything moving smoothly. When you are in a live retail environment like that, having someone who can anticipate the next move is crucial.

Lighting was minimal by design as that is the Sheetz style but it also meant we could stay mobile and natural. The store already had its own warm glow and we wanted to work with it rather than fight against it. The challenge was finding angles that gave us depth and texture while still keeping the focus on the people.

By the end of the two days we had everything we needed. Interviews, action shots, moments of connection between team members, and plenty of footage that really showed what it feels like to be part of Sheetz. It was fast, it was smooth, and it reminded me how much I enjoy shoots where you have to think on your feet and work with whatever is happening in the moment.