BOTTLE CONDITIONED

Cultural Resilience & Documentary

Bottle Conditioned is a documentary feature film that explores the human journeys of resilience, determination and perseverance within a niche community of lambic blenders.

From near extinction in the late 1940s due to the global impact of Coca-Cola to a sudden resurgence within the last decade, Lambic has become recognized worldwide as an integral part of Belgian cultural heritage.

Areas of Focus

Investigative Research, Cross-Cultural Research, Executive Production, Ethnography, Market Strategy

Methods

Field Studies
Contextual Inquiry
Participatory Research
Qualitative Research
Market Research
Attitudinal Method
Behavioral Method

Year

2022

Crew

Jerry Frank
Courtney Marsh
Mario Contini
Jean Van Roy
Armand Debelder
Werner Van Obberghen
Michaël Blancquaert

FILM SCOPE

Serving as both a User Researcher and Executive Producer, I examined the traditions and practices of lambic blending and the necessity in preserving its cultural heritage.

After extensive formative research conducted with one of the main breweries featured in the film, I developed personas to more effectively assess not only the film’s target audience but additionally consider fringe audiences to widen its market reach.

  • Armand Debelder
    Co-Owner + Blender, Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen

    Werner Van Obberghen
    Co-Owner + Managing Director, Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen

    Michaël Blanquaert
    Role: Co-Owner + Blender + Brewer, Brouwerij 3 Fonteinen

    • Defining Story Arcs: Identifying core story arcs that align with the film’s message—such as the cultural and technical journey of beer brewing, and the personal stories of those involved.

    • Audience Insight & Engagement: Considering what will engage different audience demographics, crafting the narrative to speak to various interests, like beer enthusiasts, cultural historians, or people interested in craft industries.

    • Theme Reinforcement: Emphasizing recurring themes (craftsmanship, tradition, innovation) through story structure, pacing, and emphasis to build emotional and intellectual engagement.

    • Strategic Storytelling: Helping decide which scenes, interviews, or historical context should be highlighted or trimmed, shaping the documentary's arc for clarity and emotional resonance.

    • Collaborative Shaping: Working closely with the director, editor, and producers to align the film’s story structure with the director’s vision and intended audience impact.

    • Niche Appeal: Attracts global craft beer enthusiasts and younger audiences.

    • Cultural Storytelling: Appeals to viewers interested in Belgian heritage and food culture.

    • Festival & Streaming: Suited for culinary and cultural festivals and streaming platforms.

    • Brand Partnerships: Potential for collaborations with breweries and beer festivals.

    • Educational Use: Relevant to programs in culinary arts and cultural studies.

    • Community Screenings: Ideal for events at breweries or cultural venues, leveraging local beer communities.

Lambic Drinkers

Target Audience [1st Tier]

    • Female, Male, Non-binary

    • Age Range: 20s-60s

    • International (higher likelihood)

    • Domestic (less likelihood)

    • Collectors

    • Loyal

    • Strong Palettes

    • Educated in Brewing/Blending styles

    • Uniqueness

    • Authenticity

    • Quality

    • Backstory

    • Innovation

    • Rarity

    • Access to Rare beers

    • Expensive to travel to purchase

    • Lack of Awareness/Knowledge of Lambic

Foodies

Fringe Target Audience [3rd Tier]

    • Female, Male, Non-binary

    • Age Range: mid 20s-50s

    • International

    • Domestic

    • World Traveler

    • Researcher

    • Cultural Connoisseur

    • Adventurous

    • Omnibibulous

    • Michelin Star status

    • Exclusivity & Creativity

    • Appreciation for local ingredients

    • Strives for finer things

    • Prioritize Income on Food

    • Perception of Beer

    • Lack of Awareness/Knowledge of Lambic

    • Acquired Taste

Craft Beer Drinkers

Sub-target Audience [2nd Tier]

    • Female, Male, Non-binary

    • Age Range: 25-60

    • Majority Domestic (due to variety + access)

    • Fewer International (higher % in EU/slowly emerging elsewhere)

    • Sociality

    • Local Connoisseur

    • Hand Crafted vs. Mass Produced

    • Connection to Brewery/Brand

    • Support Local

    • Anti-Corporate

    • Strong Flavor Profiles

    • Community Developers

    • Lack of Awareness/Knowledge of Lambic

    • Acquired Taste

    • Oversaturation

Culture Travelers

Fringe Target Audience [4th Tier]

    • Female, Male, Non-binary

    • Age Range 18-65

    • International

    • Domestic

    • Curious

    • Observers

    • Researchers

    • Vested interest in other cultures

    • Desire to Discover Newness

    • Visit diverse cultures and regions

    • Bucket List Goals

    • Variety as the “Spice of Life”

    • Time Consuming (Planning & Research)

    • Schedule Availability

    • Finances

    • Trip Delays/Cancellations

Available Streaming: