Part of my job on Hayman was to take photos and videos of the various celebrities that came to the island.
I have a feeling I signed something that said I wouldn’t disclose who they were, so I’ll call this particular celeb Mrs X.
Mrs X came to the island to do a number of photo shoots. I was told by the General Manager that it was imperative to get a good interview with her.
A time was arranged between photo shoots for me to get a video interview with her.
The first shoot was happening in a Beach Villa, and was running extremely late.
I waited outside with the entourage; stylists, publicists, hair and make-up, etc.
“We’re running behind, so you’re only going to have 5 minutes with Mrs X”, the publicist told me, “Make sure you’re ready”.
I knew I had to have Mrs X looking fantastic, and the island backdrop looking even more fantastic.
I set up the camera and positioned a chair in the sun with the beautiful Coral Sea in the background.
When Mrs X finally came out, I motioned for her to sit in the chair.
“No, no, no, she can’t sit in the sun”, said the make-up artist running towards us, “her face will melt off.”
Oh.
“Just move the chair back into the shade” he said.
I don’t know much about lighting, but I do know that if you put your subject in the shade, and have a bright backdrop, it’s not going to work.”
“She’ll be too dark in the shade” I told him.
“Can we get a light out here?” asked Mrs X.
“No, there’s no time” said a clipboard clutcher.
“Why don’t you use a flag?” someone else chimed in.
‘What’s a flag?’ I thought, but nodded anyway.
A couple of guys bought out one of those big light reflecting things.
“Where do you want it?”
“Oh you know, like, ummmm, over by the…. Wherever you think is good.” I said.
I looked in the camera. It still wasn’t working. The entourage was standing around impatiently watching me I was freaking out. I tried another angle. It didn’t work. My time was running out and I knew it. I just wanted it to be over.
“Actually maybe the dark is good”, I said, “yep I‘m pretty sure that will work”, even though I knew it wouldn’t.
Fortunately the real photographer came to my rescue. He gently suggested a different angle. The light was perfect.
The interview went off without a hitch, and I even remembered to press record!
