Commercials that sell a place, a product or a brand
D. Winston Media is a video production company that produces commercials for tourism boards, brands, banks, insurers, nonprofits and government agencies in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the wider Caribbean and around the world. We handle the whole job in-house: concept, script, directing, cinematography, drone cinematography, editing, color and the platform cutdowns your media plan needs.
That matters because every handoff costs you something. When the people who pitch the idea are the same people who shoot and cut it, decisions happen faster, budgets stay tighter and the spot that airs looks like the one you approved. You get one point of contact from the first call to the final file.
Our commercial work has been seen by millions. A Vibe Like No Other, made for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, has passed 13 million YouTube views on its top spot on the VisitUSVI channel. We have directed the Virgin Islands' national tourism campaigns, made branded work for Disney and Condé Nast, and won Telly Awards for scriptwriting.
Selected commercial work
- A Vibe Like No Other for the USVI Department of Tourism: 13M+ YouTube views on its top spot.
- Real Nice, a USVI Department of Tourism campaign.
- I Am Liberty VI for Liberty VI.
- Keswick Insurance: a four-spot series.
- Branded work for Disney and Condé Nast.
Watch these and more on the Work page.
What we deliver
- Creative: concept development, scripts, treatments and storyboards.
- Production: directing, cinematography, gimbal and aerial coverage, and local crew.
- Aerial: FAA and EASA certified drone cinematography, with airspace approvals and safety planning handled.
- Post-production: editing, color grading and finishing.
- Deliverables: broadcast spots, hero films, social cutdowns and vertical versions for every platform you run on.
Tourism and destination marketing
Destination films are a specialty. Selling an island means capturing light, water and people the way visitors will feel them, and it means knowing where to be at golden hour, which beaches are calm in which season, and how to work respectfully in communities and on protected land. Being based in St. Thomas means we know the islands, the permits and the logistics, so more of your budget goes on screen.
We shoot across St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island, and travel throughout the Caribbean and internationally. We have filmed in 11 countries and territories.
How a commercial shoot works with us
- Brief. Tell us what you're selling, who it's for, where it will run and your timeline and budget range.
- Treatment and quote. We return a creative approach and a written quote that defines scope, deliverables, revisions and payment terms.
- Pre-production. Scripts, scouting, casting support, permits, airspace approvals and a shot list everyone signs off on.
- Shoot. A compact, experienced crew on the ground and in the air.
- Post. Edit, color, sound and every cutdown, delivered in the formats your channels need.
Who we make commercials for
Our clients include government agencies, tourism boards, a telecom brand, an insurer, a pharmacy group, health and education departments, and global brands such as Disney and Condé Nast. Public-sector clients have included the USVI Department of Tourism, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the Virgin Islands Police Department, VITEMA and the Virgin Islands Lottery. Whether the goal is bookings, sign-ups, awareness or public information, we build the spot around the result you need.
What to include in your brief
- The goal of the spot and how you'll measure success.
- Your audience and where the spot will run: TV, YouTube, social, in-flight or out-of-home.
- Lengths and versions you need (for example :60, :30, :15 and vertical).
- Locations, talent and any must-have shots.
- Dates, deadlines and a budget range.
The clearer the brief, the more accurate the quote.
Planning a shoot in the Virgin Islands
A few things help every Caribbean production run smoothly:
- Season and weather. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Shoots in that window need flexible weather days built into the plan. Trade winds and passing showers are normal year-round, so we schedule key shots and aerials with backup windows.
- Light. Being close to the equator, the islands get strong overhead sun in the middle of the day. Golden hour comes and goes quickly, so we plan hero shots around sunrise and sunset and use the midday hours for interiors, interviews and coverage.
- Getting around. St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix and Water Island are linked by ferry, seaplane and short flights, and the British Virgin Islands are a boat ride away. We plan crew and gear moves so travel doesn't eat into shoot time.
- Permits and approvals. Location permits and airspace approvals take time. Share your dates early and we'll build approvals into the schedule.
Why productions book D. Winston Media
- Network-grade craft. Four-time Emmy-nominated cinematography, trusted by broadcast networks, streamers and global brands.
- One accountable crew. The people who plan it are the people who shoot and cut it.
- Caribbean know-how, global reach. Based in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, shooting around the world.
- Certified in the air. FAA and EASA certified flying, with airspace approvals handled.
Ready to roll camera?
Tell us what you're making, where and when. We reply within one business day with availability and next steps.
Commercial Video Production: frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial cost to produce in the Virgin Islands?
It depends on the length, number of shoot days, locations, cast, aerial work and deliverables. Send us your brief and we'll return a written quote that spells out scope, deliverables and revisions.
Do you write the script and concept?
Yes. We develop concepts, scripts and treatments in-house, or work from your agency's approved creative.
Can you deliver versions for social media?
Yes. We deliver broadcast masters plus social cutdowns and vertical versions for every platform you run on.
Do you only work in the U.S. Virgin Islands?
No. We're based in St. Thomas and shoot across the Caribbean and around the world.
Can you include drone footage?
Yes. Dwight Winston is an FAA and EASA certified drone pilot, and aerial cinematography is part of our in-house production.
What is the best time of year to shoot a commercial in the Virgin Islands?
Weather can be good year-round, but the Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so shoots in that window need flexible weather days. We plan backup windows into every schedule.
Can you work with our advertising agency?
Yes. We can produce from your agency's approved creative or develop the concept with you.