This one was a special one. Well, it is always a special one when the super multi-talented Mahaneela asks for you by name to bring narrative structure to a Mercedes Benz ad for her and the good people at Stink Films.

I had to create story art for the Defining Class campaign that would bring the new generation to witness the rich and layered history of Mercedes-Benz, married with the futuristic innovation that has always been a part of the brand’s tapestry. Working with the director and producer, I created some scamps based on their vision and shot list then got to work.

Time constraints, revisions and reworks made this a slightly tight project if my memory serves me well (it’s been a minute), but ultimately a few Hail Mary shots sketched and production was underway. I tend to work a lot looser when crunch time is cranked up, and using stronger ink lines to highlight and bring focus to the subject of a shot. This also has the uncanny ability of creating a depth-of-field effect without the need of having to blur elements in foreground/background.

And it’s the usual case of being surprised with the rest of Soho to see an iconic image of the kids posed alongside the classic Benz model with the gull-wing doors (Bond fans will know it) plastered on the huge screens by Tottenham Court Road station.

I said to myself, “That photo looks like Mahaneela’s work.” And behold, it was. She has a very distinctive style I can’t verbally pinpoint, but you know it when you see it. And then in conjunction to the billboard image, the video ad was also out in the world.

Check out some of the frames I created for the project (© all rights reserved to respective owners, obvs.):

Check out the brand film in the player below:

I’m secretly/not-secretly trying to storyboard a brand for every prestigious car brand possible. A side bucket-list I don’t mind sharing. Kinda.

Sum up,

Pedal to the metal.