“Oh, did you feel that?!” says Janez, as the yacht sways in the brutal South Easter – even though we are still docked. Putting nausea and weirdness aside the Bond-oh-James-Bond Cover shoot for the Top Billing Magazine drips in glamour. First on the shotlist is to get our Cover celebrity bond-girl Poppy Ntshongwana (5fm) draped all over the Jacuzzi on the deck of the Nautilus before the wind speeds up further.
Poppy and I fight to tame our tresses from hysterically flapping in the wind. 92 frames later and in seven minutes we have the shot – yes, we had no choice but to beat the wind, sun and technical glitches in record speed. Even our TV crew were impressed. Next, the most important shot of all, the Cover. Many cables, tripods, lights and too many people made this generous yacht seem undersized.
Tiro, my assistant, keeps rolling and slipping the cables under rugs, not one trips except when I find myself tangled – it’s bound to happen – one day soon shoots will surely be devoid of cables? Maybe I could shoot it remotely, like from land. Hayden takes on the Art Director role, and fiddles with all the details, cushions, flower, rugs, tables, moves, adjusts and clears the space to perfection. All is straightened out, Janez in a classical suit and Poppy in a Mari & Me dress would’ve looked perfect in the Casino Royale movie set. The yacht sways, but they keep their composure as I clutch onto my tripod. The crayfish arrives for the “indulgent” shot – all the allure almost entices Poppy and Janez to secretly covet their new roles just a little too much. It is amazing to think that Janez and Poppy had never met before now. It is going to be a really entertaining insert of the magazine shoot featured on The Top Billing Show.
The shotlist for the magazine, is completed. Getting off the yacht is but another challenge; the yacht has moved away from the jetty stairs by almost two meters – I ponder this for a second. With bags, stands and a paraphernalia of necessary bits I don’t look down and jump.
On set: Magazine – Angie Lázaro (Photographer); Tiro Sauls (Photographic assistant/ behind-the-scenes photograher); Hayden Fortman (Top Billing Magazine Publisher); Alexis Chaffe (Fashion Editor); Lauren Downer (Fashion assistant); Bianca Hartkopf (Hair and make-up). TV Crew – Buddy (Insert director); Julian Bruyns (Camera), Lucky Ncube (Sound) plus guest. Celebirities – Janez Vermeiren (Top Billing Presenter and model); Poppy Ntshongwana (5fm radio announcer). Catering: The Greek Fisherman, V&A Waterfront.