[GH85Carrera]

Back many years ago (30 years or so) I was a "grip" on a couple of TV commercial shoots. We were using the same Panavision camera systems that Hollywood used. It took us 7 days of 18 to 20 hours days to shoot 4 - 30 second commercials. It was hard work.

One evening were went into a local bank after closing. We spent a few hours setting up the lights, and the tracks for the camera dolly. The "cute little girl" actress picked up the clapper and said something like "Take 15, action" and then put it down. We were all hoping it would not go that far. It took that little Prima donna over 20 takes to walk up to the teller and say some line about her deposit and get her stuffed version of the bank's mascot Earnie the Eagle.

We were all set up to shoot a sunrise clip at a local very picturesque farm. It was cold, and we were all freezing, except the camera. It had electrical blankets wrapped on it to keep it warm and operational. The next day were were at a cafeteria shooting their food. Food photography is hard. The food stylist was there making at least a dozen apple pies to get one that looked perfect. Mostly under-cooked, but looked perfect for the commercial. She would take the flawed ones and put them back in the oven to finish. The crew could eat all they wanted. I think I ate an entire apple pie because I was starving after 12 hours of non stop working. She would put out food and if it was on a certain table, it was safe to eat. The stuff that was not cooked properly, or had glycerin all over it to make it look yummy she just threw in a trash can.

She made a picture perfect turkey. It was mostly raw. The white meat flap with the knife cutting into it was "cooked" with a heat gun to make it look perfect. She would cook Jello and only use 1/2 or less of the water. It looked great, but really jiggled for the camera.