Funny incidents during shooting commercials
The Moustache Factor
By Rafiq Ebrahim
IL
Mini Golf came to Pakistan in the seventies and people were invited to watch its inauguration at Karachi’s Hill Park. Prior to that, our advertising agency was assigned to get ready a TV commercial. We got busy and the copy department prepared a good script. The producer we hired was entrusted with filming and selection of a male and female model.
“Get a good-looking slim girl,” said our boss to the producer.
The producer nodded and asked, “What about a male character?”
“Just leave that to me. The client has already selected him”, said the boss, looking around with a trace of humor in his eyes.
We kept wondering.
The shooting was arranged; the producer was making his final ‘to do’ list.
Before we started for the venue at Hill Park, the producer asked, “Where is the male model?
The boss turned to me and said, “Here he is!”
I was simply taken aback. “Yes,” said the boss. “The client has taken a liking for you. Get ready.”
I was asked to go home, put on a white full-sleeved sweater.
We arrived at the venue, where I met a pretty young girl ready for the shoot.
The girl and I got our clubs and a golf ball. The producer gave us the final instructions about what to do. The camera turned on, capturing a few close-ups of me and the girl. The boss and the producer were satisfied.
It happened when I was supposed to hold the club and come nearer to the girl telling her how to wield a club in a correct manner. Our faces almost touched each other. I looked up and saw a few fine black hairs above her upper lip, glistening. Careful make-up was not able to hide them. From then on, my expressions changed. “God,” I thought. They would surely be visible when the commercial would come on air!
I, however, kept quiet.
The commercial was aired on all the stations of our TV.
It aired for a few days, and I could easily spot the moustache on the girl’s face.
The client spotted it after someone reported the fact.
We were ordered to take off the ad immediately.
The boss got infuriated, scolded me and the producer for not telling him that the girl had a moustache!
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