Inside
the Build
A short documentary built around one specific story — the friction, the people, and the purpose behind what your brand set out to create.
Inside the Build is a 4 to 6 minute short documentary that gets to the heart of what your brand is really about. Not a highlights reel. Not a product demo. Not the kind of video that could belong to any company. This one is yours.
We start by finding the story that only you can tell — the tension that sparked the work, the people who made it happen, and the why that keeps driving it forward. From there, we shape a grounded, human film that can live on your site, anchor a campaign, support recruiting, or simply give your audience a real reason to connect with your brand.
Every project begins with deep listening. We want to understand not just what you do, but why it matters — the intricate layers of your brand that most content barely scratches the surface of. From there, we work closely with you to define the focus and shape the piece around that one thread, exploring and refining together until it feels right.
With backgrounds in photojournalism, documentary filmmaking, video production, and motion design, Nina and Ricardo bring a holistic, human-first lens to every film. That combination keeps the work grounded in real people and real moments — natural and documentary-style, never staged. Depending on scope, we bring in trusted collaborators. We direct and oversee every step, so you always get the right team for your story.
The human story is the same whether the subject is a ceramics studio, a hospitality brand, or a tech platform. The tension, the people, the decision to keep going. That part doesn't change. These three films show what that looks like in practice.
We're small by design. That means you get our full attention, a genuinely collaborative process, and a film that reflects your brand's authentic story — not a templated output.
Everything is built into the process from the start. No hidden costs, no surprise add-ons for additional cuts or formats.
Once we understand the story, the team, and what approach makes the most sense for the piece, we'll put together a clear, honest quote — no hidden add-ons. Los Angeles shoots are included in the base rate. Travel outside LA is billed at cost.
is everything.
We created La Palma because we believe every brand has a story worth telling beautifully — and that most of the time, it doesn't get told in a way that feels human enough.
Nina has spent her career getting close to the people and moments that most cameras never reach. Ricardo has spent his working out how to take a human story and shape it into something that genuinely moves people. Together, that combination lets us go deep with a brand — finding the intricate layers, the real why — and bring it to life in a way that's as meaningful as it is beautiful.
The film we made for Andy in Ojai wasn't about politics. It was a portrait, filmed in the places he actually lives and works. Nothing staged. The goal was simply to reveal who he was and why he cared. That same instinct is what we bring to every project. We put people first, work with clarity and intention, and let the authentic story guide the craft.
Watch: Andy for Ojai ↗a conversation.
We'd love to hear about your brand, what you're building, and what story feels worth telling. If the fit is right, we'll figure out the rest together.
Vamos — let's chat