How Georgi Banks-Davies Took a Bite Out of a Fast-Turnaround Apple Job

Day 1

Hectic is the word to describe the first few hours.

My producer says, “We have seven days. We’ll find a rhythm.”

So, we start with something easy; portraits.

But portraits at work aren’t easy. People are busy, and areas to film aren’t that easy to find.

What we do have is enthusiasm, and a genuine willingness to be part of this project. From what you’d loosely call bosses to juniors, out they came. Nervous, but up for it. However, their days aren’t idle, and a film crew can get in the way of a busy day.

And we haven’t got all day. We need to be on the Thames at Putney by 4pm, because we found an Apple employee who was the first Palestinian rower to represent his country. He’s in London, for one day only.

My extraordinary location manager has secured permission to film on the river, found a single scull, and a coach who can make our rower familiar with the rules of rowing on the tide.

He cracks it. We get some wonderful footage.

Day 2

We go to a ‘secret Apple office’ where they do ‘secret Apple stuff’.

It’s a bit tricky to start with. After all, we have a camera, and there is sensitive stuff everywhere.

Luckily, our Apple producer is like a negotiating ninja. Door after door opens.

Part of our brief is to show that Apple has more women in charge, and they get paid the same as men.

So, here we are, filming an inspirational, pregnant team leader, in a very secret place. Not often you get to say that.

Next we’re in the Covent Garden store. Out come the staff. One after another. Willing to give us their time, and tell their story.

Day 3

We start in Stratford, filming an inspirational young team leader, who mentors staff in stores.

She’s Muslim. She’s engaging and extraordinary. When we finish, I ask if we could visit her Mosque and see another side of her life. She agrees. But when?

In Covent Garden we join one of the Apple family at her Pineapple ballet class. I ask my DP how we light a room with hard neon lights. He pitches the room into darkness, using just the available daylight outside. The results are extraordinary.

Day 4

We start at home with Ben and his new husband.

They invite us to hang out, and accompany them to the airport in a cab.

Next, we’re in Regent Street again, filming an artist demonstrating how to create art on an iPad to some enchanted eight-year-olds.

Then to the Copperbox Arena at the Olympic Park to film a member of a spirited handball team warming up against a very professional outfit.

I spend our day off making the bones of a road map for an edit, and emailing my producer some requests, that even I think may be a little beyond us.

I wait for the “are you crazy email back”.

I’m still waiting.

Day 5

I’m starting to notice there’s a pride that people have working for Apple, which extends outside the workplace and deep into their lives.

We head to our mentor from Stratford at her Mosque. Most of my crew have never been in a Mosque. But that’s how this project is. The Imam and the Mosque-goers are welcoming, proud and engaging.

That night, we’re in a sodium-lit street, filming Henry doing what Henry loves to do. I don’t like sodium lighting. Doesn’t matter tonight.

Day 6

There’s the feeling of a film now. I always knew I needed to capture a lot of portraits, so much more is unfolding.

Just two days before, I asked if we could film in the Tate Britain. And, here we are in a room full of Turners, Monets and Rossettis and some Apple art lovers.

An empty gallery. Completely still. I can’t quite believe we are here.

Day 7

On our last day, we film cyclists in Richmond Park, a scientist at the London Met University, and a father and daughter in the Olympic diving pool.

As the day ends, we’re in an Islington church with a Gospel choir, including an Apple employee, singing and clapping her hearts out…

Seven shoot days. 68 employees.  Tiny crew. Brilliant locations and a client, creative team, and producer who embraced what we did and how we did it – in an enriching collaborative spirit. That’s just so rare.

And those wonderful words that led us on this amazing journey