David Masterman: A Few Of My Favourite Things

With a career covering DDB, Fallon, BBH and, now VCCP, and some of the worlds biggest brands under his belt, it's hardly surprising that David Masterman has picked up a trinket or two along the way.

In this Favourite Things piece, penned from the North London lockdown he shares with his wife, two young sons, a dog, two cats and a guinea pig, Masterman offers a thoughtful look at the items he keeps around him to keep him connected.

The Desk

I’ve never spent so much time at this desk as these past few weeks.

I built it a few years back, with a top salvaged from a biology classroom. There are holes where the Bunsen burners were. I had to chisel the bubble gum from the underside. And someone has carved ‘Full Metal Jacket’ into it.

Ben Affleck's Clicker

This was from a Lynx shoot back in the day. It was absolute blast and Ben played himself beautifully. 

It sits on my desk because, well where else could it stay?

I should really be using it to count the days of lock down. 

Maybe I’ll count the months.

The Stag Skull, Bernard

My wife brought this back for me after a retreat she did in The Scottish Highlands. He wasn’t exactly suited to a long journey on the luggage rack of a train. 

The kids contributed the shades. 

He comes into his own at Christmas; he gets decorated.

The Drum

I’m sure that most readers will recognise a Pearl Maple free-floater piccolo snare when they see one. 

This is my favourite drum. It’s been with me forever and has been heard in venues from filthy Camden boozer back rooms, to sessions for John Peel and Shepherd’s Bush Empire. 

Although, let’s be honest, its future lies in street parties and school fayres.

The Painting

My Grandad painted this. 

He never picked up a paint brush until he retired. 

I think it’s an inspiration to keep trying new stuff.

He did a good moody sky.

PEZ’s Rubber Ducks

These were a prop from an Oxo ad. 

They’ve spread all round the house. 

I’m sure there’s more of them now than when we made the films. 

I think they keep breeding.

The Mounted Record

Your Love Keeps Lifting Me by Jackie Wilson

The first dance at our wedding, and my wife framed it (on linen) as a first wedding anniversary pressie. 

Great tune.

The Books

This could be a regular feature; books people get you because they’ve got your name on. For me it’s these gems; 

The Double Cross System is actually a very good read. 

Who knew that all the German Agents on English soil in WWII were double agents? 

Well you do now. 

The Dog

Frank can’t bring himself to watch the daily updates. He’s definitely enjoying us all being around. 

When we get through this, the shape of work will change. 

My guess is the blurry crossover between home and work will become the norm. 

Times of crisis stimulate ingenious solutions; science plus creativity is a heady mix.