It’s the off-season and between community appearances both locally and nationally, Detroit Shock Captain Swin Cash has been spending most of her time developing her game and working with the team’s strength and conditioning coach, Laura Ramus. However, Tuesday, February 8th was a little different for the Olympic gold medalist and two-time WNBA All-Star. On that day, Swin Cash brushed up her acting skills and smiled for the camera as she shot a television commercial at Great Lakes Crossing Mall in Auburn Hills. The 12-hour long shoot proved to be a lot of fun and a lot of work. Nonetheless, every moment of the shoot was captured by detroitshock.com…

Monday, February 7, 2005
7:00PM Open Casting Call at Great Lakes Crossing Mall:
The competition was tough as over three hundred Shock fans attended Monday’s open casting call at Great Lakes Crossing Mall. The Detroit Shock were looking for fans to fill spots as extras in the commercial shoot. Boys and girls ages 12-17 were needed, and various adults ages 18 and older were cast as well.

The shoot was part of a series of television spots that represent the WNBA franchise’s re-branding effort, ‘Experience The Shock…It’s Personal.’ Incorporating the community in its’ commercial spots delivers on the Shock’s brand promise to be accessible and relate to fans and the community on a personal level. The Shock organization had hired Olson Advertising, the same company that worked on the Pistons’ ‘Goin’ to Work’ campaign, to carry out the commercial shoot.

Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Swin Cash Commercial Shoot

8:30 a.m. Swin meets the Director:
Cash arrives early on Tuesday and is ready to get to work. The first order of business is to meet with Director Paul Riccio to discuss the day’s shoot. Riccio is an accomplished New York director whose resume includes commercials with McDonald’s, Black & Decker, and the Detroit Pistons. He explains his vision for the commercial and makes sure Swin is on board.

9:32 a.m.
After brainstorming some ideas with Riccio, it is hair and makeup time for Cash before she gets into her Shock uniform. Swin appears as comfortable in her uniform on the set as she is on the court. Maybe that is because acting has always been something that Swin has been interested in. She also has prior on-camera experience.

“I’m excited to be doing a shoot like this,” Swin explains. “Usually, I have a script to work with, so this is a new experience for me. Having to improvise my lines will give me good acting practice.”

10:18 a.m. Lights, camera, ACTION!
Scene 1:
The camera begins to roll as scene number one gets underway. The shot calls on Swin to do some mall walking with some extras from the previous day’s open casting call. Swin and the crew learn quickly that every scene will take several shots in order to get what the director wants. Every camera shot captures something different and to make the best commercial possible the director wants to get as many takes as possible.

11:59 a.m.
Scene 3:
As the day wears on and the halls of Great Lakes Crossing Mall get a little bit more crowded, the shoot moves into some stores. Swin feels right at home at the first stop—a shoe store. The hilarious scene calls for some shoe shopping with some fellow girls. Heels didn’t seem to look quite right with Swin’s basketball uniform.

1:15 p.m. LUNCH
After a long morning the cast and crew stop filming for a quick bite to eat. Swin is excited to jump back in her warm-ups as the mall halls were too cold for someone wearing their uniform.

2:11 p.m.
Scene 5: Child’s Play
After lunch Swin gets in touch with her inner child. She joins all the youngsters in the play area of the food court. Cash sticks out like a sore thumb as she towers over her tiny co-stars.

2:43 p.m.
Scene 6:
Cash’s next shot takes place at the Palace Locker Room Store inside the mall. After filming a few takes alone, a fellow Detroit basketball player joins her for some T.V. time. But, you will have to watch the commercial to find out who will be making a cameo appearance with Swin.

5:05 p.m.
Scene 10:
As the saying goes, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.” It seems Cash won’t disagree as the next scene puts her in her favorite type of store, a jewelry store. It doesn’t seem that much acting was going on in this shoot.

5:59 p.m.
Swin says goodbye to most of her co-stars with a big “Go Shock!” and group photo. She thanks them all for coming out to the open casting call and spending their day helping out with the commercial. However, the day’s not over yet for Cash, she has several more scenes scheduled before she gets to head home.

7:25 p.m. Dinner
Finally, Cash and the crew take a break for dinner. Stomachs were growling and feet were definitely starting to hurt. Dinner was a welcomed time of rest.

9:00 p.m. That’s a wrap!
Scene 13:
Just as the mall is closing the cast and crew finish up the last couple takes. Everyone, including Swin, is beat. It has been a long day of shooting, but everyone is excited to see the finished product. Fans can expect the commercial to begin airing in early March.