Behind the Scenes: The Secret Magic Trick I hid in Subaru’s BRZ Ad (That No One Ever Noticed)
Photo by @namastevo
Working with Subaru Canada on their content partnership for the Subaru BRZ was one of the most exciting projects I’ve taken on under Bao Magic Productions.
As a magician, I knew it was possible to connect my story with Subaru’s messaging authentically. It just required some creative brainstorming to align my world of magic with precision driving. Although I’d previously done similar integrations for other public figures and brands during my working time at a marketing agency, this was the first automotive project fully under my own personal brand.
Yep, that’s me!
Before pursuing magic full-time, I spent six years at a marketing agency, where I worked on various campaigns, including some featured by automotive brands such as Porsche Canada and Mazda Canada. Those experiences helped me understand how to craft stories that resonate with car enthusiasts, ensuring each campaign felt genuine and compelling.
Of course, no production comes without its challenges. There were a few surprises along the way, one in particular that I haven’t shared publicly yet.
Aligning the Magic with Subaru’s Message
From the start, my goal with this video was to blend my expertise in magic, sleight of hand, and cardistry with the driving experience of the Subaru BRZ. Subaru’s key messaging around the BRZ emphasized precision handling, sleek design, and an exhilarating driving experience that ignites your senses.
To bring this to life, I focused on the parallels between cardistry and manual driving, both requiring precision, control, and finesse. Just like handling a deck of cards, driving a manual BRZ is about feeling connected to the road, anticipating every move, and making split-second adjustments with precision.
This connection between skillful hand movements and the art of driving became the foundation for my script and visuals, ensuring that the content didn’t just look great, but also aligned with Subaru’s branding.
The Challenge: A Missing Manual
When Johnathan Rothman and I went to pick up the BRZ, we were caught off guard. The car was supposed to be a manual, which was a key part of my concept. But upon arrival, we discovered we had been given an automatic instead, and unfortunately, the manual version simply wasn’t available. No changes could be made at that point.
Johnathan was my automotive consultant on this project, helping me make sure that my messaging would resonate with Subaru’s audience. Since I wasn’t as deep into car culture, he provided valuable insights to ensure that what I represented in the ad made sense from an enthusiast’s perspective.
The biggest takeaway from our conversations was that the manual version of the BRZ is crucial for Subaru fans. It’s a car built for driving purists, and the manual transmission is a huge part of its appeal. That’s why getting an automatic instead of a manual presented a challenge. I had to find a way to make sure the video still felt authentic.
The Fix: A Little Bit of Movie Magic
Instead of changing the whole concept, we got creative. We found another car with the exact same interior but with a manual transmission and shot the interior driving scenes separately.
This meant that whenever you see close-ups of shifting gears or clutch work, that’s actually the second car. But when you see the BRZ from the outside, it’s the automatic version we were given.
With the right editing and seamless transitions, everything came together so smoothly that no one could tell the difference.
Bringing It All Together
Raymond Francisco (DOP) next to our camera car.
With the manual issue sorted, we focused on bringing the vision to life. This took a solid team of talented people who helped make sure everything looked as good as possible.
Raymond Francisco, our Director of Photography, managed the entire production, overseeing everything from camera work to lighting and directing the team that helped bring my ideas to life.
Connor “Heisenberg” McCollam converted another vehicle into a camera car, allowing us to capture smooth, high-speed shots of the BRZ in action.
Adem Boutlidja created an original soundtrack specifically for this video. The music was designed to match the energy, pacing, and style of the visuals, adding another layer to the experience.
Nam Vo, Kevin Vuong, and Johnathan Rothman were our field assistants on the driving shoot day.
Herman Huang worked his magic with VFX to remove any inconsistencies between our stunt double car and the Subaru BRZ.
Four Shoot Days
Day one: We arrived at our shoot location at 5 AM to shoot the BRZ in Montreal, where we captured the city at its quietest and most beautiful.
Day two: Driving shots with the camera car.
Day three: Extra footage and B-roll.
Day four: Shots at Archetype Studio focused on magic and cardistry.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, this was one of the most rewarding brand collaborations I’ve done. It pushed me to think outside the box, work with a great team, and overcome unexpected challenges.
One thing that stood out about this project was how Subaru wanted to connect with my audience in a way that felt natural. Instead of forcing a generic automotive ad, they trusted me to craft a story that blended my world of magic with the BRZ’s performance and design. The way I scripted the video made it feel authentic to me, ensuring that it wasn’t just another car ad, but something that genuinely resonated with both my followers and Subaru’s audience.
This project also opened the door to new opportunities. Since working with Subaru Canada, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with VinFast and Cadillac, further expanding the scope of the work I do at Bao Magic Productions. I’m excited to see where this creative journey takes me next.
Thank You
A big thank you to #paid for making this partnership happen, and to Subaru Canada for trusting my vision and letting us bring something different to the table.
If you’re looking to create something unique and unforgettable, let’s make it happen!
