Fermilab’s Behind the Science Series: Showcasing the Heroes Advancing Innovation


Fermilab, America’s premier particle physics and accelerator laboratory, partnered with PUREi to produce a compelling video series that shines a spotlight on the unsung heroes behind their groundbreaking scientific research. Titled Behind the Science, the series highlights the technicians and IT professionals whose daily efforts enable Fermilab’s mission to explore the mysteries of matter, energy, space, and time.

Bringing the Stories to Life

PUREi was tasked with producing two videos, one focusing on Fermilab’s technicians and the other on the IT Department. These 3-5 minute videos provide an intimate look at the people who design, maintain, and innovate the technology that drives scientific discovery.

During pre-production, the PUREi team prepared interview topics to ensure an authentic representation of Fermilab’s unique work environment. Detailed shot plans were created to capture the essence of daily life at the lab, blending interviews with striking visuals of the facility.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Fermilab

For the technicians’ video, PUREi explored the diverse skill sets and backgrounds of the team members responsible for designing, welding, prototyping, and repairing the cutting-edge technology used in experiments. The video captured their pride and passion as they contribute to the boundaries of scientific research.

In the IT Division video, the focus shifted to the centralized hub of Fermilab’s computing infrastructure. PUREi showcased the team’s efforts in deploying and maintaining thousands of hardware devices, applications, and a world-class network. These behind-the-scenes heroes ensure that Fermilab’s business systems and experiments run seamlessly, enabling scientists to focus on their mission.

Capturing Fermilab’s Unique Setting

Filming took place on the government-secured grounds of Fermilab, adding a layer of complexity and intrigue to the project. The production included a one-day shoot for interviews and another for b-roll for each video, using a combination of advanced equipment such as drones, motorized sliders, and gimbals to capture cinematic shots. A three-person crew managed the interviews, while b-roll was shot by a single operator.

Post-Production: Telling the Story

In post-production, PUREi carefully crafted each video, selecting the most impactful clips and enhancing them with motion graphics, titles, and animations. Music and sound design were integrated to elevate the emotional resonance of the stories being told. The final cuts were polished and optimized for web use, ensuring the videos would engage audiences across platforms.

Inspiring the Next Generation

The Behind the Science series highlights the dedication and expertise of the people who keep Fermilab at the forefront of scientific innovation. By showcasing these essential roles, the videos not only honor the individuals behind the work but also serve as powerful recruiting tools to inspire the next generation of technicians and IT professionals.

Through this project, PUREi delivered a visually stunning and emotionally engaging series that celebrates the people who make Fermilab’s groundbreaking discoveries possible.

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