inside a car factory!

[Daniel Buck]

Well, for our latest project (GM Superbowl commercial) I got to go inside a GM factory (one producing Cadillacs) in Lansing Michigan, both while it was in full production and when it was halted for a day while we shot.

I must say, it was quite an experience! While it was running, there were so many sights and sounds, kind of hard to take in really. My first thought was that its willy wonka for cars :D While it was halted and empty of most workers, I was able to take a better look around and get an up close view of everything. I took alot of pictures (most work related) but unfortunatly I don't think I can show any of them. When the commercial airs, I'll post a link to it.

Stan Winston's robots were cool as anything, just as well, I think they might have been just as cool as the actual factory itself :)

Anyone else ever been in a car factory? I must say, I actually wouldn't mind working there, it looked like everyone there was having alot of fun and enjoying their work. But then again, I like working on cars anyway.

[Jamie Holladay]

I have been to the Hyundai Mfg Plant in Montgomery, AL. You are right about the robots They are amazing to watch.

[Daniel Buck]

we had actual GM robots there, and then Stan Winston 'movie' robots as well (they make ones like the Terminator, and all those other robots). I must say, I had a great time :-)

[Mike Hoyer]

Sounds great! I went to a racing teams workshop today... not quite on such a grand scale though!

[Curtis Creager]

I had a tour of the Maserati factory in Modena Italy two years ago! I have had the privilege to shoot for the Ferrari and Maserati dealer here in Seattle a few years running. Anyway I was asked how I could be re-paid for my efforts. I asked if I could get a tour of the Ferrari factory and that wasn’t possible but I was given the Maserati tour.

I could go on and on about this tour. There is really too much to tell and I wasn’t permitted to take any pics inside the factory, bummer. Getting to walk around this factory and seeing how these cars are built how clean everything was and from a historical aspect.

The factory still uses many of the original buildings from the early years. Of course they have been retro fitted with the latest and greatest equipment and some new ones have been built on the property to house business offices and R&D etc. etc.

They have so much on display in the factory for the employees and guests to see. Like the engine out of a Tipo 26, this was the first all Maserati car. I got to see things that some owners don’t get to see before their cars are either delivered Stateside or they take a Euro delivery.
This was without doubt the most unforgettable part of the trip!

I also stayed in Maranello across the street from the Ferrari factory at a hotel called Planet Hotel, very nice place. I also visited the Ferrari Galleria just up the street from the hotel and watched some action on “Pista di Fiorano” Ferraris test track.

[Mike Hoyer]

I've been to the Lotus factory - about 9 years ago now. Really great experience, even though I wasn't into cars back then.

[Mark Delbrueck]

I've been to 2 Nissan plants (Canton, Mississippi and Symrna, TN) as well as the BMW plant in S.C. All were very nice, although I couldn't ever imagine working in one :D