I still can’t quite believe I’m writing this, but last month I had the opportunity to direct a commercial for Audi. As an independent filmmaker who’s been grinding away on passion projects and small brand work for years, this felt like a dream I didn’t even know I was chasing.

The Call

When the agency reached out, I thought it was spam. But after three video calls and one very detailed treatment about capturing “the soul of driving,” I found myself on a soundstage in Los Angeles with a crew of 45 people and a pristine Mercedes EQS that probably cost more than my entire filmmaking career to date.

Pre-Production Magic

The prep was intense. Two weeks of location scouting, lighting tests, and shot-listing every single frame. We knew we had exactly two days to capture everything, so spontaneity had to be carefully planned. The agency wanted something that felt both luxurious and authentic, which is a tightrope walk. We settled on a concept following the car through different times of day, emphasizing the vehicle’s technology and design without making it feel like a spec sheet on wheels.

The Shoot

Day one started at 4 AM for golden hour shots on a desert highway outside Palm Springs. Our DP rigged a custom camera mount that let us capture the car at angles that made it look like it was floating. The production designer had pre-wetted the road to catch reflections, and watching that first shot come together on the monitor gave me chills.

The real challenge came with the interior shots. Mercedes has this incredible ambient lighting system, and we wanted to showcase it without overwhelming the viewer. We spent four hours just perfecting one 15-second sequence of the dashboard interface responding to the driver. Every reflection had to be controlled, every highlight intentional.

The Team

What struck me most was the collaborative spirit. Yes, there were moments of chaos, a near panic when weather threatened our night shoot, and the usual creative tensions about whether we needed that extra dolly shot. But working with seasoned professionals who trusted my vision while also challenging it made me a better filmmaker.

Lessons Learned

This project taught me that big budgets don’t guarantee good work, but they do give you the tools to execute your vision properly. Having time to light scenes correctly, the right equipment, and specialists for every department allows you to focus on storytelling rather than problem-solving.

What’s Next

The commercial drops next week, and I’m terrified and excited in equal measure. Regardless of how it’s received, I’m grateful for the experience and proof that independent filmmakers can step into bigger spaces without losing their voice.

Sometimes you just need someone to take a chance on you. Here’s to taking chances.