Category: Projects

A few weeks back an old friend of mine hit me up to assist with a commercial he was producing for a private aircraft charter – who’s gonna say no to that? LOL. I remember back when he was doing BMW trailers for our meets in 2001 and now he’s working with Footlocker, LeBron (yeah, LOL) and some other high profile companies – so crazy and proud of him, and the work speaks for itself.

NOTE: All pics were taken with my iPhone out of respect for the cinematographer and photogs there, I didn’t want to be that dude who brings in his full gear LOL.

Call time was early – I’m a morning person so it wasn’t that big of a deal.

When I pulled in I had noticed a sweet white Aventador (provided by B&W rent a car) – even though I’d been to the pre-release of the car (before Geneva) and have seen it at least a hundred times since, it still gets me.

I entered into the lobby and was greeted by Brian and his staff. Man these guys have it together – breakfast, organization, details, everything to a tee. A very family atmosphere as well, which is awesome considering when you’re on a shoot it’s long hours and lots of people working together.

We hit the main hangar and checked out the plane that was scheduled for use – a pretty sick G4.

Even sicker when you pair it up with the Aventador in front of it with the sun rising behind.

I noticed the lift was up on the Aventador so we handled that pretty quickly, Brian joked that I’d be a great automotive consultant for films…HMMMMM…call me, maybe? hahahaha.

Directors perspective, Brian doing his producer thing (left) along with Paul (Director) on the right.

A lot was going on all at once, time is precious as well as lighting so it’s not unusual to see a lot of action in one area.

Another shot “behind” the scenes LOL.

RED Camera! 🙂 Johnny’s (Cinematographer/Director of Photography) personal tool I believe, this thing is awesome – you can either buy this or a fully loaded E92 ///M3 LOL. We all know it’s not the scalpel, it’s the surgeon – but I’m sure it helps when you have the coolest digital scalpel I’ve ever seen LOL! Along with awesome tools, Johnny and the crew re-iterated my belief that lighting is everything when it comes to images.

LJ:DIT – handling backups, transferring files on the fly during the shoot (Digital Imaging Technician) Techies note: He uses Lacie drives for backups.

View from inside the G4 – Big Riff:1st AD holding it down, apparently he was on a Justin Beiber shoot the day before. He was sincerely funny, kept everything moving while keeping things light – such a cool cat.

Had to take this shot of course LOL! For those that really KNOW me, you know I wouldn’t be down for this anyways LOL.
“I’m talking rich pal, rich enough to fly in your own jet, rich enough not to waste time, 50-100 million, a player Bud — or nothing.” – Gordon Gecko

Last shot of the day for me – crazy hot on the tarmac LOL. *Stark Industries cover shot LOL!

Before I bailed, Brian asked if I wanted to take a quick pic in place of one of the male models, I shy’d away at first (LOL) but then I see Brian talk to Paul/Johnny and next thing I hear is “Ok, John – swap with Albert – Albert you’re in” LOL!!! I didn’t have sunglasses so Paul was kind enough to lend me his, checkout that steez!! hahaha. If you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at right? Pic courtesy of Johnny/Bri/Paul

I’ve had the fortune of being involved with some pretty awesome projects in my life which has allowed me to meet some sincerely awesome people as a result. Brian is definitely one of them- thanks for a good time man. Special thanks go out to Bri, Paul, Johnny, Big Riff, Amy, LJ and everyone who assisted that day. The amount of detail, hard work and execution you guys bring make me appreciate the film industry so much more, I’ll def stay for the credits from now on 🙂

About a week ago, I got a call from a good friend asking me my thoughts about the Ferrari FF.

Friend: “Albert, what do you think of the FF, was just offered one of the first in the Country”
Me: “I dunno man, Do you REALLY REALLY like that car?” – “the shooting brake style is crazy, but the avg person will think it’s a BMW…which can be good or bad depending upon what you want LOL”
Friend: “Gotta try every new F-Car that comes out – not gonna pay $$$ over MSRP for Aventador”
Me: (Making a screaming face at the sky because I want him to get an Aventador) – “Go for it in that case…”
Friend: “Are you in town for C&C next weekend?”

Pretty much the same convo before his 599, 458 and so on LOL. I have to find a way to get him back to the dark side…

So here we are, the first set of customer delivered Ferrari FF pics – I have to say, honestly…it’s one of the most gorgeous cars I’ve seen in person and I’ve seen em all in person LOL. If you take a first glance at it, you might dismiss it, but the more you look into it – it’s sincerely an amazing future forward car that Ferrari has produced.

Pics don’t do it justice, there are so many awesome lines and curves that only the human eye could capture so elegantly. We spent a lot of time staring at the car.

There’s a slight hint of the 612 here (the car it’s “replacing”) – checkout the long front.

Another angle that I see some 612 in.

I love this profile. Rear 3/4 is just straight amazing. High, full featured rear fenders (which incidentally is why that box is needed in the trunk) give such an aggressive 4WD stance – you’d think the thing could launch off of a ramp ala Tanner Foust/Hotwheels. The rear spoiler and whole back-half of the car is perfection.

Did I mention it seats 4?

Okay honestly, the rear seats are pretty much for little kids or import models (see previous post) – very supportive and sporty though. I really prefer the separation of the seats with the center console, partly out of necessity I’m sure…

Nice cockpit style for the driver, a little surprised they didn’t integrate the nav and radio into the dash ala the 458. But again, this is a GT with bloodlines to the 599 so it does make sense…

Passenger side instrument panel (previous post) along with FF emblem…nice touch.

3 buttons for Tranny, similar to 458 – Ferrari likes things in 3’s…3 button tranny, 3 buttons above for A/C, 3 vents…

Full rear-3/4 shot. Here’s where I’m sure people see “M Coupe” or “Shoe” as it was so lovingly called. Only thing is, this would obliterate an M coupe…and pretty much anything else.

Tighter shot of that rear 3/4.

Top rear 3/4 …amazing.

See ya.