20/09/2024
I never serve more masters than when I’m shooting the cover of a cookbook.
The author wants their book to look inspiring and fresh. The designer needs room for type. The publisher needs the cover to fit that season’s lineup. Sales needs the cover to sell. Sometimes it ain’t easy making everyone happy.
Publisher, sales, and talent agent wanted to be on set while we shot the cover, so I scheduled the shoot for Day 3 – enough time to get things off the ground with enough energy still in the tank for creativity.
We had no plan and on Day 2 Colbert added a new special criteria for his cover shot: it needed to be funny. Specifically he said, “there needs to be a joke in the photo.”
Colbert didn’t have the joke ready, but he also didn’t just toss it in my lap to figure out. Instead, he delivered a master class on visual comedy and what makes a joke actually work. Then he opened it up for discussion.
What if you’re holding a piece of shrimp and giving the camera the trademark Colbert single eyebrow raise? (Slide 2)
“That’s nice, but where’s the joke?”
Or, maybe you’re in your trademark blue suit and under the jacket you’re wearing an apron?
“Umm, I’ll humor you guys and put it on but it’s not funny and here’s why.” (Slide 3)
With constructive conviction, Stephen shot down more ideas, built on some, and then came up with his own. We were shooting Colbert’s cookbook but I felt like I was in the writers’ room of his late show.
Stephen, Evie, , , Alma and I stayed late to workshop the shot where ✅ the Colberts are both on the cover and look amazing ✅ the food looks delicious ✅ the joke works.
Publisher, Sales, and Agent flew in from New York at 10am and by noon we were sitting down to a relaxed celebratory lunch – cover shot fully in the bag.
The one master I didn’t mention is perhaps the most important of all: YOU
So I ask:
Does this look funny?
🙃
