With a crew of around 75 people and a production process spanning multiple stages, Sağ Salim reflects a more traditional, large-scale approach to filmmaking — where direction, cinematography, and performance come together to shape a cohesive visual language.
From early concept development through to post-production, the project was built through close collaboration between key creative roles, resulting in a piece that balances metaphor, location, and emotional performance.
Below, the team and director Osman Özel shares insight into the making of the video.
A Collaborative Production at Scale
Bringing together a sizable team, the project relied on strong collaboration between departments, with key creative roles helping define the overall tone and visual identity.
How many people worked on your selected video? Who played a key role in it?
Around 75 people worked on the video. Key roles were director Osman Özel, cinematographer (DoP) Barış Aygen, and producer Emre Yavuz. The director and DoP played a big role in shaping the visual style and tone of the video.
From Concept to Completion
How long did it take to make it? What was the process (in short)?
It took about 2 months to complete. The process had three main stages:
Pre-production: developing the idea, creating the storyboard, and planning locations and team
Production: setting up scenes and filming
Post-production: editing, color grading, and sound design
Working Through Environmental Challenges
Even with a well-organized production, external conditions introduced some challenges during the shoot.
What challenges did you face while working on the video?
The main challenge was the cold weather during the shoot. It slowed us down a bit, but overall everything went smoothly.
A Moment Where Image and Meaning Align
Within the film, a particular sequence stands out for how it brings together performance, location, and visual metaphor.
What part of the video is your favorite?
My favorite part is the moment at 1:28, the transition into the chorus. It feels like metaphors blending into reality. The way the rocks are placed and how the character connects with the location is strong. Also, Melike Şahin’s performance in that scene is very powerful.
A Theme of Connection Beyond Distance
Is there any message that the video is sending that you don’t want the viewer to miss?
The main message of the video is that the connection between people is not as limited by distance as we think. I really want the audience to feel that.
Watch the music video below.
CREDITS
DIRECTOR: Osman Özel @ozel_osman
WRITER & COMPOSER: Melike Şahin @melikesahin
PRODUCER: Emre Yavuz @emreyvvzz
PRODUCTION: Postline Company
UNIT PRODUCER: Merve Şahin @mervvesa
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Barış Aygen @barisaygen
1ST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Oğuzhan Baran @oguzhanbar
1ST AD ASSISTANT: Harun Özel @ozelharunresit
CAMERA TEAM:
1st Assistant Camera / Focus Puller: Kerim Hacıoğlu @kerim_hacioglu
2nd Assistant Camera: Şimal Çiçek @simal_cicekk
DIT: Muhammet Ali Şahin
DRONE
Operator: Salih Kıyıcı @salihkiyici
Assistant: İsmail Dinçel
POST PRODUCTION
Editor: Hosanna
Colorist: Andrei Gordeev – Map Berlin @andrew.color @mapberlin
Production Manager | @onuryanak
Set Manager | @caglarcetinn_
Production Assistants | @dogussezgiin, @tayfunyldm, Hüseyin Korkusuz
LIGHTING
Gaffer: Ali Özel
Best Boy: Furkan Sarı
Lighting Assistants: Hüseyin Özel, Ömer Aladağ, Nureddin Özel
GRIP
Key Grip: Nail Aydın @anatoliannail
Best Boy Grip: İbrahim Eren @ibrhimeren
Grip Assistants: Halis Dereli, Süleyman Soycan, Tarık Özsüzer, Özgür Eren Gülal
ART DEPARTMENT
Art Direction: Meli Mızrak @melizrak
PHOTOGRAPHY & BACKSTAGE
Photography: Hakan Bintepe @hakanbintepe
Backstage: İlker Ayhan Saraç @ilkerayhansarac
STYLING & MAKE-UP
Stylist: Oğuz Erel @oguzerel
Melike Şahin GlamHair & Make-up: Zeynep Dombaycıoğlu @zeynepdombaycioglu
Styling Assistants: Ayşe Acar, Rabia Cansu Toka
Hair & Make-up Assistant: Valbona Şaban
Tailor: Orhan Akpolat
TALENT
Talent: Çiğdem Gürsür
Talent Hair Artist: İsmail İnan @ismailinan1
Talent Make-up Artist: Bedirhan Aydın @bediraydinn
MUSIC TEAM
Writer & Composer: Melike Şahin
Producers: Martin Terefe @martinterefe, Emre Malikler @emremalikler
MIX
Martin Terefe @martinterefe, Oskar Winberg @oskarwinberg, Emre Malikler @emremalikler
MASTERING
Dyre Gormsen @dyregormsen
STUDIOS
Kensaltown East, Eastcote Studios, Pür Studios, Şen Bakkal Studios
MUSICIANS
Electric Guitars: Dave Okumu, Martin Terefe
Bass: Martin Terefe
Keyboards: Nikolaj Torp Larsen & Glen Scott
Drums: Sterling Campbell
Strings: İstanbul Strings @istanbulstrings
Percussion: İsmail Altunbaş
LABEL
Gülbaba Records & Diva Bebe Yapım
Artist Representative: Ahmetcan Taşdemir @ahmetjah
Label Manager: Onur Kara (@onurkaraok)
Gülbaba Records Team: Ahmetcan Taşdemir, Ayşe Özçelik (@deuxsatyres), Onur Kara, Osman İyigün, Yusuf Yiğit Yılmaz
Diva Bebe Yapım Team: Hüseyin Turunç, Seril Aksoy (@serilaksoy)
Artist Assistant: Dilan Gürses @dilangurses
