Citibank x Sears – “Voila”

This vibrant commercial for Citibank and Sears was filmed in downtown Chicago at Essanay Studio and Lighting Company. The campaign was designed to be bright, colorful, and product-focused, celebrating both Sears’ retail heritage and Citibank’s modern consumer branding.

As Director of Photography, I oversaw a large-scale studio lighting setup that delivered a bold, high-key look. Working closely with the production designer, we developed a pastel-driven color palette that paired seamlessly with vibrant set pieces, ensuring the visuals felt polished yet playful. The cinematography was designed to keep the focus on the products while creating a clean, energetic commercial style.

The spot was shot on an arri alexa xt with panavision Primo Prime lenses, giving us both wide studio coverage and crisp, detailed product shots. The alexa XT color science and dynamic range were key to achieving the bright, saturated look that makes this commercial pop.

The result was a studio campaign with a cinematic edge, blending pastel tones, bold lighting, and product-driven storytelling into a spot that feels fresh, modern, and visually engaging.

Production Company: Derby Content

Producer: Eli ash

Director: Catherine Orchard

Director of Photography: Michael Gauthier

1st AC: Ian McAvoy

DIT: Ryan Austin Shuck

Gaffer: Lamar Bloodworth (Film Gear Chicago)

Camera: arri alexa xt & panavision Primo Prime lenses

Studio: Essanay Studio and Lighting Company, Chicago