Behind the scenes: CLEO photoshoot

Remember my CLEO magazine-Coke Zero interview and photoshoot?

CLEO interview

I thought the photo made me look like I was actually really high up on the wall.

But I was only about one metre off the ground. Haha.

CLEO photoshoot

We were at SAFRA Yishun, the place where I had my first rock-climbing experience.

I was really excited about getting to climb rocks again, so I was a bit disappointed that they only needed me to climb a few steps.

What happened was that because this wall was a little challenging for me, my belayer (also a rock-climbing instructor), decided to demo the route for me. He went on the wall himself and showed me where to step on.

When he got into the position where you see me in the photo, the CLEO crew said, “That’s it! We want that position.”

So, for the next two hours, they shot me in that position endlessly, only tweaking the lighting and camera angle as well as small shifts in my body, head and expression, every so often.

Of course, I didn’t stay on the wall for two hours. After a series of shots, I got to come down and rest while the crew looked over what they’d shot to determine what they needed to change. So it was up and down, up and down.

Even though I didn’t get to climb higher, it was still fun.

Although very, very hot.

I think I tanned two shades darker after the two hours. And I had sunblock on.

CLEO photoshoot

To get the shine on my body, the makeup artist first rubbed some oil on. Then it was sprays of water at every break. He also had to wipe sweat off my face every so often, heh.

Did I mention it was really hot?

But I guess the sunny weather was great for lighting.

During the breaks, I chatted with Nanny Wen (who was acting as my manager and personal photographer) and my belayer (can’t remember his name). He was the one who told us about the Sport Climbing course which Nanny Wen and I eventually took up.

In that course, we learnt how to belay, use the safety equipment and climb more efficiently, so we can go climb rocks together now without having to hire belayers.

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

Anyway, the shoot was over way before I expected. Disappointing, as I said, cos I wanted to climb somemore. Haha.

Oh well. Here are more photos for your viewing pleasure!

Getting makeup and hair done while being interviewed:

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

Putting on my climbing shoes:

CLEO photoshoot

Gearing up for safety:

CLEO photoshoot

Setting up the camera:

CLEO photoshoot

Hooking the belay device on. Ready to climb!

CLEO photoshoot

Shoot starts!

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

Crew checking the shots:

CLEO photoshoot

CLEO photoshoot

Taking a break:

CLEO photoshoot

Spraying water:

CLEO photoshoot

End of shoot and a rewarding cold drink!

CLEO photoshoot

My CLEO magazine interview

I really wanted to blog the last two days, but I was bedridden and could only do very simple things on my phone, like plurk and read e-mails periodically.

If you haven’t been following my plurks or tweets or facebook, then let’s just say that on Friday, I was bedridden thanks to my overenthusiastic friends celebrating my birthday on Thursday night. And Saturday, I was kept in bed by a major stiff neck and strong painkillers which also gave me gastritis despite antacids.

I’m a bit better now so I managed to get this scanned. It’s a special interview by CLEO magazine and Coke Zero (now out in CLEO August issue). I’ll share behind-the-scenes photos after I’ve fully recovered!

CLEO interview
(Click picture to enlarge.)