Giving new meaning to the term singles play, “The Tennis Date,” a deliciously seductive short film directed by Eva Michon of Merman, introduces sellaV, a new line of high-end tennis skirts created by designer and artist Kaylie Schiff. The film’s frisky storyline follows the exploits of a tennis player, played by actress Charlet Duboc, who searches for love through tennis matches. Volley after volley she tests the mettle and poise of a series of opponents with probing topspins and backhanders. The heroine narrates her hunt with a wry, sometimes cold-blooded voiceover providing stinging commentary on her would-be suitors. In the age of dating apps, “The Tennis Date” offers a romantic alternative, as the heroine glibly observes, “that dance on the court, it’s sexy, also brutal, tender, sweet.”
“The Tennis Date” was conceived and written by Schiff in collaboration with Michon, who captures the action in lyrical slow-mo set to the voluptuous score of the 1882 composition “Les Paniteurs (The Skater’s Waltz)” by Emile Waldteufel. The film promotes and features sellaV’s line of tailored skirts, which are designed to be worn both on and off the court. Schiff developed the sellaV line of tennis apparel in tribute to her mother, who taught her how to play the game, in more ways than one.
“This is not a typical commercial,” said Michon. “It is meant to get people excited about this new brand, deliver a sense of the character of the brand, but also not give everything away. There is mystery, playfulness, and of course, sex appeal.”
“The story is based on real-life,” admitted Schiff. “I love tennis. I was raised on it, and I actually did go on tennis dates for a period, because I couldn’t relate to the modern dating scene. So that was the inspiration. Also, truth be told, the film is a teaser for a TV series project I’ve been developing based on the same idea. So stay tuned.”
“The Tennis Date” premiered on sellaVclub’s website.
