LUXE FILM FOR CHRISTIE’S DUBAI
A bespoke mini treatment for Kunal Rishiraj
A landmark filmic asset for Christie’s Dubai
Referencing everything already presented at stephenengstrom.com/luxuryfilm, this exclusive luxury film for Kunal (Christie’s Dubai), will be executed at true feature film standards, designed to elevate both the property and the Christie’s brand within Dubai’s luxury market.
This will not be traditional real estate videography. It will be cinema.
As one of the category leaders within Dubai luxury real estate, Kunal already carries a very strong reputation and presence in industry. This film is designed to reinforce that positioning while creating a more elevated competitive advantage inside the market.
To my knowledge, nobody in Dubai, and very few globally outside of Los Angeles, are creating cinematic property films at this level of visual sophistication and narrative immersion. The intention is to produce a landmark piece that shocks the category, sparks conversation, generates sharing, and further elevates Christie’s above all competitors.
Tone
Looking at both the Dubai luxury market and the unparalleled nature of Kunal’s listings, which sit at the very top end of the category, the tone of this execution should feel effortlessly luxurious, cinematic and aspirational. It should also feel human and emotionally immersive.
Christie’s Dubai obviously already understands the value of entertaining video content, as is evident on their social channels—this is about taking it to a whole new level.
The intention is to capture these brand new properties in all their glory while bringing warmth and life into the spaces through the people within them.
Rather than simply presenting architecture, the film should portray a lived experience inside the home, allowing the audience to aspire not only to the property itself, but to the lifestyle surrounding it.
Concept Glimpse
A couple, dressed in luxury brand wear, arrive to inspect the property. The agent and the husband immediately begin a cordial negotiation, subtle tension beneath the surface as price and positioning are quietly discussed.
Meanwhile, the wife slips away into the home, completely mesmerised by the space. She moves through the property in a dreamlike state, discovering moments of beauty and luxury entirely on her own, eventually diving into the pool, fully clothed.
She suddenly reappears beside the negotiation, dripping wet, interrupting the conversation.
“We’ll take it.” At asking price.
Dip Into Luxury
After assessing Kunal’s current listings, there are two initial creative directions I’m interested in exploring.
It’s important to note these concepts are early stage only and may evolve depending on the specific property, natural creative progression, or inspired deviations discovered throughout the development process.
A couple rush through the home preparing for a glamorous night out, moving between different rooms gathering watches, heels, jackets and jewellery as we naturally showcase the property throughout the sequence.
“We’re late.”
The pace builds as they finally leave the house, only for the final reveal to show they have arrived at their destination: their own home.
They were never going anywhere. They had already arrived.
The Night In
For an initial landmark property piece, the investment will sit around the $70,000 USD mark. This is an approximate figure only, with a full budget breakdown to be provided once the final scope and property details are confirmed.
It’s important to note this production is intended to feel and perform at the level of a $150,000+ campaign. The director specialises in creating elite cinematic work, on par with top tier agencies and production companies, at a fraction of the usual overhead.
The budget includes:
1 x Hero Film (60 seconds)
3 x Cutdown Videos
Social formatting for both paid and organic distribution
Should Christie’s wish to develop a broader brand film campaign not tied to a specific property, this would be discussed separately with its own scope and budget.
The expected production timeline is approximately 3–4 weeks inclusive of pre-production, shoot period and final delivery, with flexibility able to be navigated if required.
The director, and potentially Director of Photography, will fly from Sydney to Dubai, with an expected 4–5 day stay and collaborate with local cast and crew. This would include a half-day location recce and approximately 1–2 shoot days, with around 10 cast and crew onsite.
A 50% deposit will be required before pre-production, with the remaining 50% payable upon final delivery of assets.
Production & Budget
References
Here are some wonderful examples of cinema-led property and airline pieces that feel relevant to our proposed project together.
Deliverables
Production will be executed through a high-end cinema pipeline using Arri systems, the same standard trusted across feature film and luxury commercial work. Motion and stills are captured simultaneously, creating a unified visual language that can extend seamlessly across the property campaign, Christie’s broader brand presence, social media, website, press and future listing presentations.
The intention is to create work that rises above the saturation of traditional property content and feels enduring rather than disposable. Not simply marketing material, but a lasting brand asset that elevates both the perception of the property and the positioning of the agent behind it.
Once completed the film with premiere on Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube and all other relevant digital channels, with the PR and share-ability sure to follow, along with the option to use with paid and organic reach.
Full Funnel Look and Feel
If required, my micro-agency is more than capable of extending the campaign beyond the film itself — still photography pulled from the same Arri pipeline for a cohesive visual language across every touchpoint with still photography, graphic design and copywriting for press, digital, out-of-home, and editorial placement.
Everything produced under one creative vision, so nothing gets lost in translation.
+
Arri Cinematic Capture
+
Digital and Social Rollout (static & motion)
+
Multiple Talent
+
Hero brand film and cutdowns
+
Briefing/Consult
+
File Formatted for digital and social platforms
+
Sound Design
+
Digital or Film Photography
+
Editors Grade and Retouch
Creative (Director)
Steve is an advertising writer and art director with over a decade of experience across award-winning agencies (R/GA, VML, JWT) and international brands including Qantas, Hawaiian Airlines & Westpac — with work spanning TV, digital and integrated campaigns.
He is also an independent film director, with projects featured in Academy Accredited festivals and recognised with Vimeo Staff Picks.
Operating at the intersection of agency and production, Steve brings together strategic brand thinking and end-to-end cinematic execution.
Thank you
If you’d like to discuss scope, a tailored filmic option for your property, or have any questions about the offering, please reach out…