Event Film for the First Steel Cut on RFA Resurgent
Navantia UK marked the start of construction on the Royal Navy's new Fleet Solid Support ships with a steel cutting ceremony at its Appledore shipyard. We filmed the day and delivered the finished film two days later.
Navantia UKCapturing a Milestone on a Tight Deadline
The first steel cut for RFA Resurgent, in December 2025, was a key moment for the FSS programme. Guests came from government, the MOD, the Royal Navy and the RFA, and Navantia UK needed a film out while the news was still current.
One chance
A ceremony happens once. The speeches, the cutting of the first plate and the reactions on the shop floor all had to be caught first time.
A working shipyard
Filming took place on an active defence site with senior guests, so shots were planned around security, protocol and the running order.
Two-day turnaround
The film had to be ready for Navantia UK's channels within two days, while the announcement was still being reported.
Full Coverage of the Day, Edited in Two Days
We covered the event from start to finish, then edited straight away so the film was ready while the story was still news.
Speeches and ceremony
Multi-angle coverage of each speaker and the steel cut itself, with clean audio so every speech could be used.
The yard and its people
Aerial footage of Appledore and the River Torridge, guests touring the yard in hard hats, and renders of the FSS ships to show what is being built.
Subtitled for LinkedIn
Every line of speech was subtitled so the film works with the sound off on social channels.
Out While the News Was Still Fresh
Navantia UK had a finished film of the ceremony two days after the event, ready to share alongside the announcement.
Turnaround
From the ceremony to a finished, subtitled film ready to publish.
Subtitled throughout
Speeches from Navantia UK and the Ministry of Defence are readable without sound, which suits LinkedIn and internal channels.
A record of the milestone
The full footage gives Navantia UK a record of the start of the programme to use in later updates.
Useful lessons for businesses
Plan the running order
Knowing exactly when each speech and moment happens means nothing is missed on a day that can't be repeated.
Edit as you go
Logging footage during the event makes a fast turnaround possible without cutting corners.
Subtitle by default
Most people watch on mute. Subtitles make sure the message lands.
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