Champagne and Gallardos – The Backstory

Have you ever envisioned in your mind’s eye just what a perfect moment, inside a perfect afternoon, unfolding into a perfect evening would look like?  A dream you’d hope you wouldn’t awaken from, shared with Another.

Try to imagine how this scene would play out inside your heart and soul.

Such is the challenge we have as producers when we try to create a concept we can build around and bring to life, telling a story and creating the magic you were just imagining.  When that gleaming, white Lamborghini Gallardo first arrived, so striking with its elegant lines and pristine appearance, I was mesmerized.

Leif and Cate Wombwell, frequented an upscale wine bar and restaurant, the Corkbuzz, in the SouthPark area in Charlotte.  This amazing establishment celebrates good living through the pairing of innovative food items and an extensive wine selection with master sommelier, Laura Maniec, and the talented staff at the helm.  We will introduce these fine individuals in a special write-up very soon.

The Corkbuzz has an elegant courtyard and seating area that will serve as the backdrop for the story unfolding as our actors appeared on-location.  To carefully control the lighting, we decided to shoot this video at first light.  We cast actors, Amanda Lynae Dial, and Ryan Rudisuhli, to create some onscreen magic as a young but affluent couple that choose to take some time to enjoy the world they have created for themselves.

Thanks to Starbucks, and the excitement of shooting such an amazing auto with our talented cast, we shook off the yawns and commenced the sound checks.  Cinematographer, Andre Solodankin, and his wife Mercy, the filmmaking duo , were on hand, with other film crew members supervised by their young daughter.  When the Gallardo roared to life during the sound checks, the immense power of its engines ricocheted throughout the whole area to the dismay of sleeping residents inside their fine townhomes!  No more than a few minutes later, residents appeared on scene in bathrobes, and it’s my job to keep the peace!

Sound checks aside, we began taping the interactions between our actors in the sumptuous interior, as well as the action scenes with the car in motion.  Andre, and his crew member, Michael Davis, literally hung out of the lead vehicle in midair with his camera slung below him.  The results are simply amazing as his slick camera work perfectly unveils the beauty of this machine in the motion sequences in the video.  Our actor, Ryan Rudisuhli, expertly guided the Gallardo through the maze of narrow streets that make up the complex.  Again and again he returned to the spot where he would soon begin a transformative experience.

Actors Amanda Lynae Dial, and Ryan Rudisuhli, needed little coaching from either Andre, or myself.  Their on-location chemistry was palpable, and we knew this was going to be a great shoot!  The couple were dressed in evening wear, about to embark on an evening of fine dining and spirits out on the town.  Ryan, decked out in a sleek black tuxedo, looked every bit the part of a successful, young entrepreneur, right down to his Luxerman timepiece, and John Hardy sapphire cufflinks.  Amanda was stunning in a very simple black dress that clung to her marvelously.

Andre’s masterful control of his camera, and his unique shooting style, made the Lamborghini leap to life.  Once the taping on the exterior with the car was completed, our cast and crew began shooting inside the Corkbuzz restaurant.  The elegant interior of the Corkbuzz was the perfect backdrop for our actors as they sipped Champagne at the bar.  Ryan and Amanda lit up the room as they reveled in the company of one another.

That perfect moment we had hoped to create, sparked into existence in the gazes of our young actors!

That perfect moment we had hoped to create, sparked into existence in the gazes of our young actors!

Just outside the restaurant, the Gallardo gleamed in the midmorning light.  Soon the restaurant would open for lunch, but not before this machine announced it’s departure from the scene.  Leif, and the white Gallardo, sped from the scene.  Mission accomplished the crew left the scene, anxious to see what would happen in the editing room in the weeks to come.