When i first started running I got penciled for a job running with, who would become, my regular 1st AD and AD team. The PA murmured something about a promo and the rate, and the date and I agreed of course... Excited about another bit of work that had come it. 

The next day, I was on another shoot with Chris, my first AD, and he pipes up... "oh Sorch, you been penciled for that Take That shoot next Monday?....

What!!!!!???? Take That.......!!!!

Now what you probably don't realise is that for a large proportion of my childhood and teenage life, I loved Robbie Williams. And just because you grow up and become sensible... Doesn't mean that when the thought of meeting them is presented, you don't completely forget you are now an adult and get as overjoyed as you once would have. 

The day came, and my eyes couldn't stop goggling at the line up, which had once been a poster on my wall, who had now manifested into real humans, who I was offering water to on a (very) regular basis. Before long Take That had to rush off to an awards show, (not before I got a wink from robbie) and our day ended at 5pm. 

That was my first... And quite possibly last very pleasant experience on a promo shoot. 

Recently, I PA'd a music video. I'm not saying that promos are horrible experiences... I'm just saying that usually, the hours are long, and after 20 hours of the same song being blasted out at you, you're pretty tired and have a bit of a head ache...

Me and a producer I work with, Sarah, were working on 2 music videos, one to shoot on Tuesday and one to shoot on Thursday. Tuesday's shoot was in a fab location, an old derelict school, the odd bit of asbestos here and there but really beautiful building. There was a really large amount to be organised, between dancers, instruments (yep, strangely enough, production sometimes deal with the musicians instruments from the band) tiny things like Walkies and portoloos, we had to get it all done! We arrived at 7am... And continued until 3am. Literally! Longest day I've ever had on set (plenty of people would say I've got off lightly so far).

 

However, It wasn't all bad! The crew were fab, and If there's anything you need on a day like that, it's a good crew! And people you can have a laugh with. And some of the shots that they were getting looked incredible. What a location! And perfect lighting and set design to compliment it. 

 

 

 

The thing people forget to mention about being in production, you're Always.. The last to leave. Right up until the end. 

So I curled up into bed at 4am and jumped out again 3 hours later, ready to organise another day shooting. This shoot should be much more straight forward. All on green screen in one studio, dancers, band, one stage. Done. But even something that simple is difficult. We're trying to shoot something that is 3 mins long in one day. Commercials are 30' seconds long and usually get 2 or 3 days shoot. That puts it into perspective a little, but budgets on promos have completely shrunk, meaning cramming is essential!

 

Up again and on set by 7.30... a smooth sailing day, with some fantastic dancers and a great atmosphere on set... but we still didn't wrap until midnight!! It seems that, no matter what, promos are hard work.... but you gotta love them! 

 

The great thing about promos, is that they are a collaboration of 2 different art forms, colliding together and combining. And often, the result can be hugely effective and emotional. When a fantastic band works with a fantastic director, then the results are there to see. 

 

Promos can be hard work. But when they work out, it 100% pays off, and is one of the most satisfying feelings, to think that you helped to create something so brilliant!

 

Check out the links here to the final videos!! Enjoy:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12zPU-8bsTE&ob=av2n

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8mw5i43-uQ&ob=av2e