Marijn Huizendveld x Essent
Domain-Driven Design Documentary
Challenge
Essent has been undergoing a major transformation, evolving from a traditional energy company into a modern, technology-driven organisation. Domain-Driven Design expert Marijn Huizendveld (one of our clients for over four years) played a key role in this journey by implementing new structures and helping shape systems and new ways of collaboration.
Due to the significant impact this change had across teams, and to help prepare future teams for this impactful process, we were asked to develop a video around the story behind it.
We chose to tell that story through a documentary, featuring people involved at different levels within the organisation. The goal was to capture not only the changes themselves, but also the challenges, lessons learned and the human side of the journey.
We managed the entire project from start to finish, including the launch strategy for both Essent and Marijn Huizendveld. And of course, we couldn’t leave out the best part: a true premiere experience, complete with popcorn and champagne.
Concept & Story Development
Together with DDD expert Marijn Huizendveld and Essent, we developed the concept for the documentary. The goal was to explain a complex organisational transformation in a way that would be understandable and interesting for both technical and non-technical audiences.
We wrote the full script and all interview questions, carefully building a narrative that would show the different perspectives within the company. By speaking with people from multiple teams and levels, the story became more personal and realistic, showing not only the successes but also the challenges of changing an organisation of this size.
The focus was on authenticity. Instead of a promotional video, the documentary needed to feel honest, open and recognisable.
Result / Impact
The documentary gives a clear and honest view of Essent’s transformation into a tech-driven organisation and shows how Domain-Driven Design can help large companies change the way they work. By telling the story through real experiences, the film became valuable not only for Essent, but also for others interested in organisational change and software development.
The project resulted in a strong piece of content that supports thought leadership, employer branding and internal communication, while also documenting an important moment in the company’s history.
Production & Project Management
We managed the full production process, from planning to final edit. This included creating the production schedule, scouting locations, coordinating the production crew and guiding the interviews on set.
Working together with Brave Media, we went through multiple editing rounds to shape the story in the right way. Every detail, from pacing to the order of interviews was carefully adjusted to make sure the documentary felt natural and engaging.
In addition to the production itself, we developed the online launch strategy on LinkedIn en direct mailing and organised a premiere event where the documentary was shown for the first time to the people involved in the project.