Lincoln — Commercial

I love producing commercials for automotive brands! There’s just an energy about it, and yes a “coolness factor” that is so palpable. Everyone on set can feel it. So when this project featuring both the Lincoln Corsair and Navigator came up, my Producing Partner Annie Varberg and I were thrilled with the opportunity! This was another collaboration with our dear friends at Taproot Pictures, as well as with Director Brian Petchers. Not only does he have a great name, but he had a very thoughtful vision for how we were going to execute on the creative.

The plan was to film both the interior and exterior of each vehicle over the course of three days in a static position outside of a gorgeous Tuscan style home on the outskirts of Austin, TX. This would give us the time to spend not only seeing the talent interacting with each vehicle, but to get specialty tight shots that accentuate the beauty of each stitch in the leather seats, the contour of the dash, and the sleek lines of each exterior. There was one Cinematographer that could accomplish this in spades; intro Paul Theodoroff. He’s a master at his craft but beyond his skill behind the lens, he’s incredibly kind. It’s a trait that He and Brian both share, and one that Annie and I value so deeply in the crew we work with. When working in the trenches with people for an extended period of time on set, and with the pressures of client’s expectations constantly looming, having kindness be the default setting is a top priority in who we choose to surround ourselves with.

Speaking of surrounding ourselves with stellar people, I have to shout out our Production Manager Katie Kranz and Coordinator Giulia Alexander for their steady hand at keeping the large, ever moving production machine running so smoothly. In addition, we got to bring on our local friends at Convoy, who ran a tip-top G&E department, matching quality of light and efficiency in the same breath. As our three days of shots in and around the static vehicles came to an end, part two of our production, and dare I say, the most fun part of this project began. Car to car filming! The goal was simple; capture running footage of both vehicles over the course of two days, making them look as cool as humanly possible!

Once again we got to work with our good friends at Filmotechnic to provide U-Crane Arm Car work and Sky Candy Studios to cover our aerial needs. With the help of local law enforcement and many “lock-up PA’s” we secured multiple stretches of scenic road that were perfect for getting the epic shots we needed. We even had a “chase sprinter” that was kitted out with monitors so that the agency and client could view in real time what either the camera on the arm car or the drone were capturing.

We work long hours, and it’s a marathon to do what we do, but when you hire the right people, are trusted by the production company to execute the project at the highest level all while providing a top notch client experience, it’s the greatest joy to not just see it all fall into place, but have an absolute blast while doing it.