If last month’s pitch anecdotes feature revealed anything, it’s that the most memorable work stories come from when things go wrong. With that in mind, The Drum invited agency creatives to tell of their most unforgettable shoot experiences.
Tyrone Probert, art director, Mason Zimbler
At a previous company on a shoot out in South Africa we were shooting a beach scene for a popular mobile phone company. The creative required a male model to be well tanned for a head and shoulders shot. I briefed the very camp make-up artist and model who seemed to be getting on like a house on fire, and left them to it while the photographer, assistant and I scouted the stunning location.
After a few hours we returned to find the make-up artist still putting the finishing touches to his model. Except his hands were applying tanning creams to regions a lot further down than the required head and shoulders!
He replied that he thought we may want more bleed on the shot rather than the tighter crop we had initially envisioned on the scamp. This explained why our male model was now beautifully tanned, creamed and lathered all over his body, including his crotch.
James Trezona, managing director, Mason Zimbler
I remember selling in a concept that showed the real faces behind the brand (that old chestnut) – and how they’re real cool human beings. The Marketing Director identified some people and their interests. First one we did was one of the engineers who was a mad mountain biker.
We got a top of the range Cannondale, a high-end sports photographer, and got everyone up a mountain to a great DH course in Wales. Set up the lighting at various points on the course and multiple action cameras. The Chap, let’s call him “Dick” turned up. Turns out Dick was overplaying his skills a little. In fact he’d never really been off-road. He liked bridleways, flat things, less mud the better. He had a lot of allergies.
We ended up having him cycle off a curb while the 20 strong crew watched in amazement. It took around 10 takes before we could get a shot that we could play with to make him look like he was even slightly in the air. £10k well spent. I have the ad somewhere.
Never do shoots with animals, children or real people.
Another fun one was where we borrowed a Bentley sports for a shoot, and the lovely girl and guy at the showroom took no details, or deposit, or proof of ID. Just we said that we’d spoken to head office, and they gave us a £200k car. Almost the start of a life of crime.
Tony Temple, senior creative, Mason Zimbler
Once had to shoot a smartly suited guy walking across Westminster bridge with no trousers on.
People were supposed to look on in amazement/shock and point and giggle and stuff as he walked by.
This was London, midday, loads of people: All of them crossed the road to avoid him and I had to go and put a suit on to get the shot we needed.
This article was first featured by The Drum online, Friday 4 April, 2008.
