Working with seasoned pros

06 June 2014

In this world of new technology, where everyone is a photographer, a film director and a presenter, it’s interesting to take a different view. To my mind, if you want a job done well, nothing is more important than working with seasoned pros whose experience is evident in their manner of working. Unfussy, focussed, efficient - product delivered.

Take the recent video shoot for Voyages-sncf.com working with the incomparable Eric Lanlard with camera crew from The Loupe We had one short reccee meeting with Eric, the crew and Voyages-sncf.com, then moved straight onto the shoot itself to create two videos. Eric invited our camera team into his own home and presided genially over the filming whilst quietly preparing himself to present #TheEasyWay to make two classic French patisserie items and guilty pleasures - a White Chocolate and Pistachio Macaron and the creamy almond delight, the Paris-Brest.

On switched the cameras - two main cameras and a mini-cam for close up shots with additional lighting and bam - Eric seemed to come alive, exuding personality, whilst seamlessly talking his way through the techniques and showing us practically, how to make these patisserie items. It’s interesting to see how much energy this takes and how much of yourself you need to give in order to come over well on camera. It’s equally interesting to find that with his help and advice, we patisserie beginners could actually make a macaron ourselves #TheEasyWay! It’s one thing to be a good chef, it’s quite another to be able to impart that knowledge so seemingly effortlessly to inspire those around you.

Coming from a theatrical family, I know what it takes to “switch on the magic” and how much it takes out of you too. I couldn’t quite believe it when I saw that Eric pretty much was a “one-take” presenter, totally unfazed by the crew surrounding him, and talking directly to camera. He then resumed his role as mine host with flair and courtesy. That’s what I mean with working with pros. It’s been a real privilege to be a “fly on the wall” with Mr Cake-Boy himself for this shoot.
See what I am talking about for yourself. Click here to obtain the recipes for these classic French patisserie items and follow Eric as he makes these wonderful confections #TheEasyWay.
 

 
Contributor & photographer: Sue Lowry. Macaron shot courtesy of Neil Armstrong/Voyages-sncf.com. Thank you to Ms Jean Egbunike, the PR for Eric Lanlard for making this happen.
 
Voyages-sncf.com is a client of Magellan PR. Follow the on Twitter @Voyages-sncf_UK, on Facebook/Voyages-sncf.com, YouTube: Voyagesncf_uk and Pinterest: #MakingTracks. Eric Lanlard is on Twitter @Eric_lanlard, on Facebook/BakingMadwithEricLanlard and on YouTube: Eric Lanlard.
Magellan PR is on twitter: @MagellanPR / on Facebook: MagellanPR / on Pinterest: Sue Lowry / on Google+: Sue Lowry & MagellanPR and on Flickr: Sue Lowry. For more information on our company, visit www.magellan-pr.com. Follow our other blog focussing on travel in the South of England – A3 Traveller.