The Story Behind the Sweet: Filming Carmella’s Dessert Bar & Café
There are projects that come together smoothly. Then there are projects that invite you into something deeper. Projects that take you out of your routine, into the heart of a place, and make you remember why you do what you do.
That was this one.
Our team at Filmit.xyz had the pleasure of creating a video that captures the full experience of Carmella’s Dessert Bar & Café, a beloved staple in both Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina. More than just desserts, Carmella’s is a full-sensory experience-Italian-American roots, elevated ingredients, warm lighting, a community-first spirit, and a founder with a story you can taste in every bite.
The Spark: A Sweet Story Worth Telling
When we first connected with Brian Solari, we were immediately hooked. Not just because of the food (though that helped), but because of the heart behind the café. Brian doesn’t just run a café-he's crafted an experience. Carmella’s is named after his mother, but it’s really a love letter to everything he values: family, quality, comfort, and flavor.
So yes, we filmed at both Carmella’s locations in Charleston and Greenville. Yes, that meant a lot of time on the road. But we’ll happily drive a hundred miles for a story like this. (And maybe a cannoli cake.)
Filmmaking with a Small Footprint
One of our favorite things about this project? It didn’t require a massive crew or huge setup. Sometimes, all you need is a great story and a great host. With a tight, experienced crew and a clear vision, we kept our footprint light-respecting the café space and allowing real moments to shine.
How We Shot the Heart of the Café
We started with conversation. Brian gave us the full vision: his mission, his process, his obsession with quality, and his total love for food. That interview became the spine of the video. Every quote gave us a beat to build around.
“Carmella’s is everything I love the most in the world.”
“It’s all my favorite food, from breakfast through dinner and dessert.”
From there, we leaned into a naturalistic shooting style. No staging. No fake reactions. Just movement through the café as it lives and breathes. We filmed bakers prepping fresh focaccia, baristas pouring espresso, bomboloni being plated fresh from the fryer, and cakes that look more like sculpture than food.
Greenville offered gorgeous natural light through the tall windows, while Charleston gave us the vibrant, late-night energy of a space open until midnight every day. We filmed both. Because the soul of the brand lives in both.
Creating Visuals That Match the Flavor
To match Carmella’s rich ambiance and vibrant energy, we chose gear that could elevate the visual experience. We shot this film on the RED V-RAPTOR paired with Atlas Anamorphic Lenses. The combination allowed us to capture both the intimacy of espresso steam rising in the morning and the cinematic flair of cocktails clinking under golden light.
The result? Evergreen footage that feels like a memory, not just a promo. Each frame is built to last and reflect the texture, light, and life of Carmella’s.
Brian’s Voice Carried the Film
Brian Solari isn’t just the owner-he’s the architect of the entire experience.
He told us how every single ingredient is scrutinized, down to the flour and chocolate. How they bake bread in-house. How he’s constantly improving the cocktails, adjusting the cakes, fine-tuning the sandwich recipes.
He talked about food the way musicians talk about melodies. It was technical and poetic at once.
“Quality starts with your basic product… and then you take the time to figure out how much of those things to use to make the best possible finished product.”
He walked us through everything:
Why he chose Foresight Coffee Roasters as their premium supplier.
What makes the olive oil pistachio cake his new favorite.
Why their espresso martini is a crowd favorite.
How the cannoli cake became a top seller.
Why Carmella’s complements, not competes, with other restaurants.
That kind of transparency is rare. We knew the video had to let him talk.
A Café Built on Story and Service
Brian also made it clear that this was about more than food. Carmella’s hires for hospitality. They build for comfort. He didn’t want a stiff, fine-dining feel. He wanted people to feel at ease.
And people do. From the cozy layout to the family-style plating to the smiles from behind the bar, the Carmella’s experience is human. Fun. Relatable. Delicious.
That’s what we needed the video to express.
The Edit: From Footage to Flavor
In post, we built everything around Brian’s voice. He’s the guide, the soul, the narrator. His audio leads while the footage follows.
We matched his tone with pacing and rhythm. Moments of energy during cocktail pouring. Quiet slices of life as cakes are cut and conversations bubble up. Close-ups on texture. Slow reveals on signature dishes.
Every shot was meant to feel like you were walking through the space yourself-not being sold something, just invited in.
Why It Mattered To Us
At Filmit.xyz, we create videos that move people. Not just highlight reels. Not just pretty frames. But stories.
And Carmella’s gave us a rich one: Family. Flavor. Craft. A guy who just loves what he does and built something amazing for others to enjoy.
If you’re ever in Charleston or Greenville, go in. Get the cannoli cake. Try the bomboloni. Sit down with an espresso martini. Stay late.
We hope this video gives you a taste of what Carmella’s is all about-and reminds you of what’s possible when you build something out of love.
Want to tell a story like this for your brand? We’d love to help. Reach out to Filmit.xyz to bring your vision to life.
Bonus: Want to see what it looked like behind the scenes? Scroll down for a few of our favorite BTS photos from our shoot in Charleston and Greenville. A small peek into the process, the people, and the setup that brought this story to life.
