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.

The “Cars and Caviar” team jumped at the opportunity to shoot an Aston Martin!  This sleek, white machine, has a slightly understated elegance with it’s simple and clean lines. What lies underneath the gleaming exterior is a different matter altogether.

We had only a short time to work with this fine car, and so we decided to shoot editorial photos in lieu of a video.  We contacted filmmaker, Logan O’Neil, and asked if he would appear in the photos on short notice.  It took no wrangling, and he was eagerly onboard.  We thought we would spice up the concept by having Logan appear opposite the sultry, Tatianna Bird, a “Cars and Caviar” team member, who does hair and makeup design for this site.

We fitted Logan with a retro looking smoking jacket by Hugo Boss, along with a sleek Versace shirt and Alexander McQueen shoes.  Costa sunglasses completed the look.  Tatianna wore a stunning iridescent dress, that would capture and then reflect the late afternoon sun.  Our original shoot location was to be on a garage rooftop with the skyline at sunset, but this proved to be problematic as cranes and new high-rises under construction marred the view from locations we had scouted recently.  At the last minute, we chose the Fountain shopping plaza, with it’s namesake water feature.

When the team arrived on-location, Leif Wombwell was waiting just outside the Aston Martin, taking in it’s form and obviously invigorated by driving the machine to the plaza.  Our daylight was quickly fading, and we had to continually move the car to keep up with the retreating light.  Tatianna, and her sequined dress, electrified the scene despite the fading light.  She simply appeared resplendent and sharply contrasted with Logan’s black on black attire.

Logan and Tatianna got along famously.  Placing Tatianna behind the wheel was a great idea, and changed the mechanics of the shoot a great deal.  The owners of “Ryze-Up Magazine, Brian and Kae Ingram, kept us company on set and provided us with some nice behind the scenes photos.  As the afternoon slipped into evening, the light was waning despite Tatianna’s dress!  It was time to wrap.

Logan could not resist the urge to engage the Aston in a spirited drive around the parking area, to squeals of delight from Tatianna as this understated beauty of a machine revealed the power packed under it’s exterior!

It was a gorgeous fall afternoon at the Vue Tower in Uptown Charlotte, when we first heard the roar of a powerful engine far below.  Even at an elevation of 450 feet, that sound cut through the City’s familiar hum. This could only signal one thing.

The Adventador had arrived!

Our cast and crew had gathered at my residence, nicknamed the “SkyHouse”, to prepare for the day’s shoot.  Excited about the amazing machine that had just arrived, we hurried into the elevator and down to the guest parking garage for our first look.

We were not disappointed.  Leif Wombwell, was standing by this magnificent machine bathed in the halogen glow of the guest parking area.

He was absolutely beaming with excitement and delight after navigating this fine automobile through the city streets.  The crew swarmed around to take in it’s stunning, angular beauty, and rich orange hue.

Now thoroughly covered in fingerprints, the Adventador had a date with the Cormin Auto Spa, located on the 7th floor of the Vue Tower’s parking garage, for a thorough detailing in the capable hands of the owner, Shawn DesChamps.

Meanwhile, the crew busied themselves with preparations for the shoot, and awaiting the arrival of NBA Hall of Fame Great, Eric “Sleepy’ Floyd!

Eric, and our very own, Cate Wombwell, were cast as our actors in tonight’s shoot.  “Sleepy”, was on a very tight schedule this evening , as he was to meet with members of his charitable organization.  Since retirement, this amazing athlete continues to inspire young people as a mentor with his youth charitable organization, Jobsy Wobsy.

We hurried the duo into makeup and styling, while our cinematographer, Andre Solodankin, and his wife, Mercy, and their extended crew readied their equipment. Leif and myself, worked with the film crew to finalize our “plan of attack”, as we made our way out of the building.

Once again, the Vue residents could hear and feel the sound of an engine far below, this time with our guest star, “Sleepy Floyd” behind the wheel.  He and Cate, made their way out of the garage and onto the busy Uptown streets. Tonight’s destination was the trendy and vibrant, 5Church restaurant, a favorite amongst the cast and crew, and for “Sleepy”, as well!

As the crew gathered at the venue, heads were turning at the distant roar of the Adventador approaching.  5Church, was packed with patrons as “Sleepy” and Cate, pulled into the valet adjacent to the restaurant.  Just inside the restaurant, and on the street as well, bystanderswere spellbound as this Supercar arrived top-down, with our actors in tow!

Our production team revved into high gear, as we shot footage of the Duo arriving and departing, and exiting the vehicle to make their way inside 5Church.  A large group of bystanders had gathered on the sidewalks to take in the scene.

This car has the amazing ability to stop people dead in their tracks!

“This car has the amazing ability to stop people dead in their tracks!”

The bystanders simply stare in disbelief and awe after gazing on this otherworldly machine, as it dominates the space around it. After putting “Sleepy” and Cate through the rigors of numerous takes, time was growing short as we had a tight schedule to begin with. 5Church manager, Gabrielle Biggs, had kept open a lounge area just inside the eatery, with a clear view of the Adventador just outside.

We had to make an “executive decision”, to skip the taping of the interior shots inside the club, as it was nearly time for “Sleepy” to meet with his team.  We had a critical scene to shoot at the Vue Tower on the “SkyHouse” balcony, the closing shot for this production.

With this amazing city view spread below us, we concluded our production with a Champagne toast!

Full length video can be viewed under Automobile/Video in main menu

Actors Eric “Sleepy”Floyd, Cate Wombwell

Story by Logan Curtis

Location: The Vue Charlotte on 5th, 5Church Restaurant

Principle photography by Andre and Mercy Solodankin

Editing by Andre Solodankin

Produced by Logan Curtis