Renowned for successful scripted franchises such as FBI, Law and Order, and Chicago, TV production company Wolf Entertainment has captivated audiences with on-screen adventures filled with high-stakes investigations and gripping crime drama.
This time they’re raising the bar by producing the latest addition to the FBI Universe, FBI: International. The new spin-off first aired in 2021 and is now available for binging on NBCUNiversal’s streaming platform, Paramount+. Viewers of the series are taken overseas as the show’s International Fly Team, led by supervisory special agent Scott Forrester (Luke Kleintank), delves into intricate cases set in locations outside of the U.S.
From infiltrating black market operations in Budapest to solving the murder of an American vintner in France, FBI: International combines the crime-solving experience with footage of some of Europe’s most captivating landscapes.
Wolf Entertainment turned to Pond5, a proud member of the Shutterstock family of brands, to ensure authenticity and enhance the production value of these multinational scenes. Pond5’s dynamic stock footage played a crucial role in creating captivating experiences for the audience. Whether capturing establishing shots of iconic landmarks or incorporating graphics and special effects, Pond5’s extensive stock media library provided the creative freedom necessary to bring the show to life.
We sat down with FBI: International’s associate producer, Sara Cimino, to discuss the logistics of filming an international series and how she used Pond5’s stock media to elevate the realism and artistic vision of the show.
We often use stock media to establish exteriors of buildings or aerials of the cities we are in. These are needed because the interiors we shoot are not the same kind of building, or they were not shot at all. We also do not have 24/7 access to drones, so production was not able to shoot establishing footage for the city or country we are in. Additionally, we tend to use stock within our monitor graphic (GFX) elements to supplement footage we did shoot. Pond5 provides me with a base I can manipulate. If I don’t have 100% of what I need, their resources can get me 90% of the way there.
How did you balance actual footage and stock to enhance the realism of multinational scenes?
Pond5 offered several elements that could help us elevate the show in a way that’s not noticeable to the audience. That’s what we aim for–we want to make things feel and look as real as possible. I love how Pond5’s search functionality is responsive to keywords, and by removing or adding words, I can find what I need very quickly or look for something I can use as a backup option based on what I am finding within my search parameters. So, instead of searching ‘Budapest Parliament,’ I could type ‘Parliament’ and see what other kinds of buildings pop up that meet my criteria.
What makes Pond5 your number one stop when looking for stock media?
Pond5 had the greatest selection of footage we needed and for the BEST price! There are a lot of stock media companies out there that provide good-quality images and decent pricing, but there’s something about Pond5 that’s just special.
When you have a stressful workflow and a lot of tight deadlines, having a company with pleasant, professional people that provide you with what you need in a timely manner makes your life so much easier.
Sara Cimino
From the historic architecture of Pula, Croatia, to the stunning coastline of Mallorca, Spain, Wolf Entertainment’s masterful use of Pond5’s footage allowed them to transport viewers to the heart of each international scene.
The Pond5 library offers access to more than 35 million videos in HD and 4K, plus royalty-free music, motion graphics, sound effects, visual effects templates, images, and 3D models. By seamlessly blending Pond5’s stock footage with expert editing techniques, Cimino and her team were able to deliver exceptional results within their tight timelines.
Dive deeper into Wolf Entertainment and Pond5’s FBI: International collaboration here.
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