Hospitality expertise. Taught through a real conversation.

Typsy, based in Melbourne, commissioned production for “Owning a High-Performing Shift,” a hospitality course featuring Juan Leyva at LondonHouse Chicago. I was the on-site producer and director, responsible for carrying the team’s brief into the room and creating a productive experience for the instructor and venue.

The course was designed around a working hospitality leader reflecting on real decisions. It needed a conversational, documentary quality, without an autocue or a rehearsed presentation. Four lessons and supporting footage had to be captured while the hotel continued serving guests and Juan continued managing his responsibilities.

The location needed to fit the visual direction and the hotel’s operational rhythm. I dressed the interview environment and controlled the lighting, including the changing window light, so the setup could remain consistent through the session. Two camera angles provided a considered interview structure without making the room feel crowded.

Direction focused on making the conversation work. I explained the day, built rapport, and followed up when an answer suggested a more useful example. Where a response did not feel settled, there was room to revisit it. The aim was to preserve the instructor’s own experience and language while ensuring the planned teaching points were covered.