How did you get so sexy, Max?
“Oh my God, oh my God,” I continued, pacing frantically, but was forced to stop when my phone beeped. I rushed over to it and Sebastian’s name lit up the screen.
Sebastian:Loving everything so far. Feeling it. Seeing it. Can almost touch it. Vibing it. Agency says it now wants the pack shot on location, not studio. They want to feel Africa in the shot. You know how I feel about pack shots that’s your department, I don’t want to know about that shit.
Ash:They want the perfect glossy slow-motion alcohol pouring into icy fucking tumbler shot on location? Not in studio where we have control over everything and it will be much, much, much easier?
Sebastian:They love complicating their lives and ours.
Ash:That they do. Okay, will look for a location.
I groaned. I really, really needed to get to work despite the pounding head and dry mouth. But I wasnotgoing to go for breakfast and sitting across the table from Max while eating eggs and bacon! My phone beeped again.
Sebastian.
Sebastian:Question. Don’t freak the fuck out.
I didn’t like the sound of that.
Sebastian:I just looked at this place’s website again and they have a photo of sunset drinks by a watering hole. You know the cheesy vibe, blah, blah, at the end of the game drive they watch the animals by the watering hole, sipping on drinks, soaking in the African vibes cue Toto song or Lion King theme.
Ash:Yeeees.
Sebastian:I know it’s not on the storyboard, but not me thinking we should throw in an African safari shot.
Ash:NOTyou thinking, or youAREthinking?
Sebastian had a Gen Z daughter and he’d made it part of his personality that he’d claimed their slang and was using it deliberately in his own unique way for shits and giggles.
Sebastian:IWANTan African safari watering hole shot vibeASAP.
Ash:Not you changing plans last minute, not like the client also not wanting a studio pack shot.
Sebastian:Not you “notting” me.
I rubbed my aching temples. It did make sense, though. That shot would work really well for the ad. But it was going to take a whole lot of extra time, and I would need to arrange a game drive and find this watering hole.
Ash:Let me get through our existing storyboard and if there’s time I’ll go on a game drive. Couldn’t work yesterday when we arrived due to massive storm.
Sebastian:Slay queen.
Ash:Please don’t ever say that to me again.
Ash:And please, please never say it to a client.
Sebastian:Too late for that. I’ve been trying it out all week.
Ash:Not me cringing.
Sebastian:Got to go. Your Russ is not getting what I’m saying about this edit.
Ash:Perhaps that’s because you talk like a teenager?
Sebastian:I don’t know what on earth you mean.
I then dragged myself through the day like I was walking through thick mud. Every now and then I saw Max and the manager, either sitting and talking, or walking around the place. I’d discovered the most amazing pool too, also under a tented roof to stop the direct sunlight, but open on all sides so you could gaze at your surroundings while submerged in the water. But everywhere I went, Bongani the game ranger was hot on my heels, standing there with his gun. He’d warned me that this was an unfenced game reserve, so animals roamed freely and I was not to go anywhere by myself, especially at night. While I was working, a majestic herd of elephant had wandered past, followed by a rather large and hungry-looking hippo. But by late afternoon, I was feeling sick and faint from lack of food, the hangover and the relentless heat. I had not joined Max for breakfast, and I had also declined to join him for lunch. Apparently, it had not gone unnoticed.
“Hey.” Max walked up to me as I was weighing up a potential shot of the swimming pool, also not on the storyboard, but a shot that I knew would totally work for the ad.
