The man behind the camera
- Overall Murals Team
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Meet Hayden Todd,
our Senior Video Producer and the creative force behind capturing and crafting the stories that bring our hand painted advertising murals and the painting process to life. Whether managing videographers or actively working in the field, Hayden always thinks two steps ahead.
If you haven't met Hayden in person, you are missing out on his frequent use of sports analogies to explain his thought processes.
Like a coach breaking down plays, he often asks, "How can we improve, and how can we elevate?"
Hayden's approach goes beyond simply capturing beautiful footage; he delves into the "why" behind every mural to ensure our clients’ murals tell a story with purpose.
Read more about Hayden's journey and the philosophy that fuels his work:
ANNA: How did you get into videography, and what drew you to filming murals specifically?
HAYDEN: I attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga for graphic design, which naturally included photography and videography. As I sourced photos and videos for my projects, I realized that if I couldn’t find what I was looking for online, I had to create them myself. I have always been interested in the actual production of content, and this led me to want to learn how cameras operate and understand how to present visuals effectively.
After college, I was able to pursue video when I worked for a friend who painted a lot of commercial signage for local restaurants and businesses in Nashville. We documented our work with my phone. This eventually led to me moving to New York, where I could roll my experience into a career at Overall Murals.
ANNA: What’s unique about filming murals compared to other types of videography?
HAYDEN: Mural painting is a process that spans five to seven days, and there’s no immediate "boom, we got it" moment.
It’s more about documenting the entire journey and capturing the project as a whole. It’s all about planning, being in the right place at the right time, and finding the perfect angle. Then, in editing, I condense everything into something that tells the full story in a short clip. That’s why there are so many cameras on set to capture the moment’s full impact.
ANNA: How does documenting the mural process change the way people experience the artwork?
HAYDEN: It's like capturing posterity, documenting something that will live on forever, especially through video. There's a record of the mural's creation that extends beyond just the people who witness it in person. While some people may have seen the mural being painted in person, the video needs to appeal to people who have no idea what’s going on or aren’t even in the same city as the mural. The goal is to make it engaging for everyone, no matter where they’re watching from.
It's about capturing both the documentary side; the raw footage of the mural being made and the production side, where the video is crafted specifically to tell the campaign story, all to create an experience that connects with people beyond just those who are in the right place at the right time.
Then, with campaigns like the rain-activated mural we did for Ore-Ida, the experience shifts even more. Someone walking by might only see it change when it rains, but the video tells the full story to those at home, making it clear right away how it works and why it’s special. The campaign is extended through videography, showing the audience the bigger picture.
ANNA: Walk us through your camera bag. what’s your go-to setup for capturing a mural in the best possible way?
HAYDEN:
The full setup includes:
Sony FX3 with 3 lenses - wide (16-35mm), medium (24-70mm), and zoom (70-200mm)
Canon 5DSR with 2-3 lenses for timelapse and a sturdy tripod to eliminate shake
2 video tripods with a ball head for stable shots and smooth camera movement
Ronin RS2 gimbal for smooth close shots at street-level walls
Rhino R2 slider for dynamic movement to time-lapse shots
ND filters on all cameras to manage lighting, ensuring optimal exposure, F-Stop, and shutter speed
Drone - Mavic Cine
Camera wipes
SD & Sony Tough Cards
Backup batteries for the two camera systems
Ultimately, it’s about knowing how to use these tools with purpose, not just about having them. The right gear doesn’t guarantee great results, it’s the educated shooter who understands lighting, timing, and technique that makes the difference. The key is knowing when and how to use the tools to tell the best story.
ANNA: What’s it like seeing a mural you filmed go viral or get a huge audience reaction?
HAYDEN: It’s cool to see when a project gets posted and gains traction, especially from artists or brands with big followings. After creating around 75 videos last year, most of them circulate internally within the agency or brand, so when one gets published and receives attention, it feels validating.
It’s not just about the publicity; it’s about knowing that the creative risks taken as a videographer resonate with the audience.
ANNA: What’s your favorite part of filming a mural from start to finish?
HAYDEN: The creative process during mural painting is unpredictable, much like my own editing choices. Each painter approaches their section of the mural with unique micro-decisions, often solving small puzzles with every stroke.
Capturing this micro-level creativity is something I’m working to expand beyond the typical 30-second client video. While the process is familiar to those in the industry, I want to highlight these intricate, behind-the-scenes decisions that painters make, which might not make it into the final edit but are essential to the final piece. It’s not just about the finished product, it’s about recognizing and documenting the unique problem-solving that goes into every part of the mural.
ANNA: How do you see mural videography evolving in the future, and what new techniques or technologies are you excited to explore?
HAYDEN: I see the future of our content moving towards longer-form, behind-the-scenes pieces. Content has evolved from quick, bite-sized videos to more in-depth, immersive stories. Think of how movies used to be just a two-hour experience. Now, with social media, trailers, and behind-the-scenes content, there's an entire narrative that goes beyond the final product. People become invested in the process, like learning about the director’s methods or the actors’ stories.
For us, we're not just producing content for brands but telling our own creative story. I envision the painters becoming personalities in their own right, similar to how movie stars or creators are followed for their behind-the-scenes journeys. This shift is happening now with short content, and I think the next step is expanding it.
Just like how people get curious about a film's production after watching it, viewers could dig deeper into how we make our murals and learn more about the painters themselves. It’s about creating a "lore" around our work, something people can follow beyond just the final ad.
Hayden has a passion for storytelling and is committed to highlighting the artistry of every mural we hand paint. As video technology and techniques advance, his approach continues to develop how we experience and connect with murals. With his keen eye for detail and a dedication to revealing the ‘why’ behind the art, Hayden ensures that the stories behind our murals resonate long after they’ve been painted.
