It's interesting to see on these threads how everyone has their own quirks. How a clip can be popular - but there is always something slightly wrong. The model is not barefoot, or the pies are shaving foam, or the hair is not right. So finding the perfect clip is difficult.
Well, don't beat yourself up in trying to find the perfect clip - just DO the perfect clip. Obviously difficult for most of us, so, the best thing to do is draw up your perfect scenario, and pass it on to a quality producer.
Which is what I did when Charlotte announced that Jess was available for a day's filming. Never having booked a custom before, I thought that, well, this is a once in a lifetime shot to get Jess in a scene that is perfect for me, rather than relying on chance. I got in early enough to book time and then had to come up with the scenario.
Which Lisa Moomin inadvertently gave to me. When saying that Jess was the smiliest person ever. It triggered an idea of having a scene where she smiles through all sorts of adversity. And why wouldn't she? Her track record suggested she could take it
Therefore I put something together and sent it off. There were certain trigger words but otherwise I did not expect the script to be of biblical authority; something Jess and Charlotte could work around.
And, boy, did they ever. Jess must have put quite a bit of work into memorizing the first part (the second part was on cue cards which Charlotte kindly put together) and putting her own spin on it. She nailed the character, well, perfectly. Which you will (I hope) see when it becomes public. Exactly how I imagined someone in that scenario would be.
Then it came to the mess, and she took it like an absolute trooper. Really brilliant. Charlotte delightfully malicious in applying the mess (although she was a bit cruel about my jokes; surely they were the choicest plums from the comedy fruitbowl) and Jess indeed kept on smiling throughout. Even when there was nothing left of her but smile.
Jess was in the perfect outfit for my girl-next-door tastes (not to undermine that Jess has supermodel looks, only hotter), and the mess worked a treat for the coverage. She is a natural at this sort of thing. Although maybe natural is underselling the work she and Charlotte put in?
The actual process of commissioning and getting the video was also easy - Charlotte gives positive feedback (it must be unlikely you could get the scenario right out of the box, unless it's basically "throw 20 pies in X's face") and keeps you updated as to progress. And the video was up and ready really quickly; I don't wish to raise expectations, but the promise of "within a week" turned out to be "one day"!
The upshot? I get a scene which, to me, isperfect. Perfect outfit, perfect model, perfect execution. Lots of thumbs up.
And at the end, Jess thanking me for her custom...it was as if I was doing her a favour rather than vice versa. So, a (semi-)public thanks for Jess, and for Charlotte for making the process as easy as possible.
Love you, too
