The Beach.

The day of this campaign began at the early hours of the morning, 5:15am on Miami Beach. Right on time, Allegra and her sister, Satiya, who I was meeting for the first time, emerged from the blinding lights of their stallion (a Black Suburban Uber), and started walking towards me. Not seeing Allegra for over one year plus the excitement of day ahead, our smiles illuminated the dark sky. Shortly after, Ricardo, our cinematographer for the day, another kind soul I was meeting for the first time, showed up, and it was time to begin.

We walked along the boardwalk, eagerly awaiting the first glance at the Ocean. We took off our shoes immediately, trying to get as close to the Earth as possible, as we seeped into the seemingly never-ending depths of the sands. A few steps later, we were there: at the edge of the land and the cusp of water. We walked a bit, finding the right spot for the shoot, and soaked in the moment.

Very quickly, Ricardo set up his camera, I handed Allegra the SLUG and the magic began. Allegra stood at the break of the shore. Sudds and sand intermingled with one another. Her toes sunk into the soft , plush ground , her colorful dress dancing to the summer breeze. “Action”. The tide came in, the clothing waved, the camera panned, up, up, up, slowly, slowly, slowly, pink, orange, green, blue, white, SLUG, SLUG, SLUG, neck, lips, eyes, BOOM. Allegra. First shot done.

On the Road.

We ventured off to our next location. The feeling was warm and light, as we drove in Ricardo’s car through the galleries of Miami city life. Highway, skyscrapers, long trees, and twinkling sky. We spoke very gently and accepting, learning more about one another with each mile drove. Ricardo, we found out, does and has done everything… director, cinematographer, scuba diver, philanthropist, international tour guide … with every humble statement of his life we became more and more amazed. We drove through the ways of Coconut Grove like it was an open jungle. Ricardo was now our tour guide.

Coco Plum.

We arrived at the second location of the day: Coco Plum: a neighborhood in Coconut Grove with the most spectacular trees you have ever seen. They canopied the street like hugs, swallowing the blue morning sky - only letting out burps of light through green leaves. Elegant burps. We parked on the side of the road and asserted ourselves in the middle of the street. “Action”. Allegra walked. Glided. Jumped. Let Loose. Satiya and I were stopping traffic, both directions, as Ricardo continued to capture the moment. “Bag Lady” by Erykah Badu pranced over sounds of birds and bugs. We couldn’t tell if it was the song or the World. We didn’t care… we kept going getting everything we needed.

The Rickenbacker Causeway.

The third location led us to the island of Key Biscayne. We hoped to capture the skyline of Miami from the water level of the city. We parked the car and walked over, hap-hazard, passing construct sites with caution tape. After making it past the intimidating, yet totally unaware workers, I realized we had stumbled onto a place I had always dreamed of shooting. There we were, under the beast. The beast of the Rickenbacker Causeway. Large, gray columns erected out of the dark waters, resembled ancient ruins. Two platforms held by six columns (1 platform and 3 columns for each side of the bridge), was repeated over and over again, seemingly forever. It was a repetition representing human’s commitment to geographical expansion, but also geological indifference. I saw the platform, and looked at Allegra. She knew. Her and I scaled the rocks down to the water, stepping over waterlife and crashing waves. A few moments later, she stood amongst the ruins of modernity, suspended from the safety of land, SLUG in hand. We shot there for a while because the location was so spectacular. It felt like our little secret. Ricardo, Satiya, Allegra, myself, and the chill construction workers.

The City Life.

It was then time to take on the city. We parked at the Intercontinental Hotel (famous for its “Dancing Lady” Facade Screen and Drake’s rap line “Did y'all boys not get the memo? I do not stay at the Intercontinental?”). Anyways, it was next to the building I used to live in, and I have always loved the metromover stop right next to the hotel. We entered the station which had a beautiful translucent roof and long escalator. I had frequented this metromover when my car got totaled, and I knew the ride up the escalator would, with its constant tempo and airy background, make for a great shot. We got to the top of the station with our cameras hidden, as the police were very strict about filming on the train. But once we were on, it was on. The mover weaved in and out of the city buildings 20 to 30 feet above ground. It felt as if we were on a ski lift or amusement ride. Allegra hopped onto a platform in the back of the train, headphones in ear and SLUG by her side.

Yoga Time.

At last, our final location. It was only right that we concluded our shoot at a place very close to both Allegra and I: a yoga studio. Allegra and I had met through yoga (as I was first introduced to her by a friend who recommended his yoga teacher, Allegra, for a film project I was directing). From there, I went to her class weekly. But today, we could not use the yoga studio where we usually practice. We had to find another one. As it would have it, we found another studio in 5 minutes. Effortless. We arrived to the studio in Wynwood and set up the room. Luckily for us, the space was big and bright, filled with gongs, chimes, singing bowls, cushions, blankets, and pillows. It was a heaven. We cleared out some of the studio furniture and began shooting. The air was heavy with love, and intention, and calm, and power. Capturing the last scenes were like sculpting life. Rolling out yoga mats, dropping SLUGS, catting and cowing. Breathing. The studio dog Cosmo tip toed around the set. All present were involved. The last shot shotted and we were done. Wow.

This day was one of the best days I have ever experienced. We were floating throughout the city, free. Time, place, the past, the future. None of it existed. It was just us. Ricardo, Satiya, Allegra, and myself - all sluggin’.