A few weeks ago, Nicholas Cambata, co-founder of locally based 8112 Studios, told me he was directing a music video for Miami-based deejay Cedric Gervais. Grammy-winning recording artist Mýa (Lady Marmalade, anyone?) lent her vocals to the track.

"I am so there," were the first words I uttered.

I arrived on set for day two of filming for "Love is the Answer," a song with an infectious hook and a thumping house beat. Inspired by the No H8 campaign, it is produced by Gervais, a DJ/producer well known in the Miami club and music scene.

8112 Studios shot the video's club and dance scenes at Lima Lounge on K St NW. I scanned the room. Fifty extras were cast for the club scene, shot in Lima's Vetro Room, a private Members Only space located on the third floor. A bevy of beautiful girls in skimpy, glitzy club attire stayed in position as the production crew fixed lighting cues. I saw short cocktail dresses. Liquid leggings. Knee high boots. Chandelier earrings. Good looking guys in skinny pants were sprinkled throughout the room.

One male, his first two buttons on his shirt unbuttoned, kept staring at himself in the camera's monitor. A girl pulled a brush out of her Gucci purse and ran it through her long flaxen locks. Another long-legged lovely with exotic eyes reapplied her lipgloss as she preened at the camera.

This crowd was a beautiful one, and they all knew it.

One woman came into the room to stand behind the camera. She put her hands on her hips as she scanned the crowd, looking over outfits. In ripped jeans, her hair tucked into a beret, this was the only woman not exposing miles of naked flesh. She wore a graphic tee I recognized from Urban Outfitters. ALCOHOL, CAFFEINE, NICOTINE, the tee read, in big block letters.

"I need one of those right about now," I giggled, pointing at her shirt.

She nodded in agreement, her eyes resting wearily on mine. It was obvious that she had been running around all day. "My name is Chi Chi," she said, introducing herself as a stylist for the music video.

"Nice to meet you, Chi-Chi," I replied. "Is that like, a nickname?"

"No."

Hmm. I liked her already.

I questioned her about the style choices for the video.

"In this scene, Mýa will be wearing a dress by Vera Wang," Chi-Chi answered.

"What about Cedric? What is he wearing? And where is he?" I scanned the room for a glimpse of the man behind the song.

Chi-Chi nudged my shoulder and pointed to a man with dark, slicked back hair. Dressed in a fitted pullover hoodie, Cedric was taller than I imagined, but every bit as good looking in person as he is in this video. He looked unfazed as he waited for shooting to begin.

A hush fell over the set as Mýa's manager came into the room. Everyone looked expectantly at the door.

Then Mýa walked in.

Poured into a very short, long sleeved Vera Wang (provided by Wink Boutique in Georgetown), the dress accentuated her teeny waist and dangerous curves. She walked over to where I was. I took a closer look at her Ear Ring by Sylvie Markovina, the statement necklace by Vera Wang, and the stack of glittery bracelets (provided by Charm of Georgetown) on her wrist. Her nails, painted in metallic silver, gripped the chair as she gingerly sat down.

Her big brown eyes smiled as she addressed the room. "Hey guys!" she said in her soft voice. "I'm so happy to be filming in my hometown!"

The room cheered. Mýa, who went to high school at Eleanor Roosevelt in Greenbelt, Maryland, listened intently as Nicholas instructed her on where to stand for the next scene.

The song blasted through the speakers, and the camera started rolling. She began to gyrate. Her choreographer stood behind the camera. A striking man in a black tailcoat and leather gloves, eyes smoked in black liner, he danced to the beat, cuing the performer on each move.  


I eyed her shoes: glittery blue pumps with black spikes on the heel.

“I love them! Who are they by?!”

“Custom made for her!” Chi-Chi yelled over the music. “From Cali.”

Darn. That doesn’t help me.

When the scene wrapped, Mya walked out, Chi-Chi trailing after her, to change into the next outfit. The crew bustled as they set up the next scene for Cedric.

This scene featured Cedric spinning behind the booth. Members of production hand selected extras. Mya slid herself next to Cedric. For this, she donned a long black wig with blunt bangs. Her futuristic jacket was by Ana Locking, jewelry by Sylvie Markovina.

The pulsating beat throbbed over the speakers as filming started. Cedric looked relaxed and in his element, feeding off the energy as everyone in the room began to dance. Mya rocked to her voice as she put her hands in the air. Even I found myself grooving as I watched it all unfold.

In another dance scene, Mya performs a number with her choreographer, another dancer, and two drag queens (who walked a lot better in heels than I ever could). Oozing confidence, Mya banged out the dance number with ease.

As I watched her gyrate to the song, I couldn’t help but think, “Man, she should have won Dancing with the Stars."

“Love is the Answer” is produced by Gervais and will appear on his forthcoming album "Miamification". It will be released by Ultra Records.
The video premiere is slated for early 2011.
All photos are by Vithaya Photography.

8112 Studios casted locally and enlisted Washington area businesses to provide services for the video.
Clothing was provided by Wink Boutique.
Accessories were provided by Charm of Georgetown.
Poodle Pusher provided styling for the video.