Written by new-contact on May 3, 2010. Posted in Production News

Suzuki shoots at Cuddeback Dry Lake Bed in California

Major motoring manufacturer Suzuki has filmed scenes for a new commercial at Cuddeback Dry Lake Bed in California. Rich Guys sells Suzuki’s new Kizashi and intends to challenge the perception that great quality is only available to wealthy customers.

Part of the commercial shows the car being driven in a desert landscape and these scenes were shot at Cuddeback Dry Lake Bed in California. The production considered shooting at Soggy Bottom Dry Lake Bed and El Mirage Dry Lake Bed, both of which are in the same area and are popular locations for car commercials, but the director preferred Cuddeback.

Richard Latarewicz, the Location Manager, said: “It is a remote location, so getting gear in and out took a lot of time. The only roads into the dry lake bed off the highway are about six miles of four-wheel drive on poor-quality dirt roads. Trucks must go very slow, made even more difficult if you come in before sunrise, as there are no light sources out there and it’s very easy to get lost.”

The production got permits from the Bureau of Land Management and from Kern County. Jeff Tannebring, the project Producer, said: “We filmed during the day and used inflatable self-contained work lights and location beacons to guide the crew getting to and from the location before sunrise and after sunset as otherwise it was pitch black.”

Light circles of around 100 metres in diameter were created by the work lights. Cuddeback is suitable for shooting most of the year, although on the infrequent occasions when it rains during the winter months, conditions can sometimes be too wet.

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Credits
Client: Suzuki
Agency: Siltanen & Partners
Production Company: Bully Pictures
Executive Producer: Jason Forest
Production Service Company: Pacific Production Services
Producer: Jeff Tannebring

Director: Fredrik Callinggard
Director of Photography: Jordan Valenti