Day 2: London - Viking TV Episode Shoot
For those of you who really know me, you KNOW how much I enjoy travel and especially to learn about new lands, and visit new places. But today was one of THE BEST days of our traveling adventures, because today the Viking TV crew of James & Ciara came on board this morning and we spent the entire day filming for an upcoming episode of Viking TV. In the episode which is tentatively set to air on Monday November 11 (mark your calendars!) I provide a guided tour from a guest's perspective of what it's like to come on board a Viking Oceans vessel and the various places you can enjoy on the ship while you are traveling. Not only was this exciting to be a part of, but last night at dinner James had told me that "everyone on board knows about you, what you're going to be doing, and are very appreciative that you're doing it." I wondered just how serious he was, but as we left the restaurant James pulled Kim and I aside and told us he'd added on the drink package (at a cost of $350 per person!) in appreciation for our efforts. WOW. Then this morning when I was downstairs right after breakfast I walked by an office where a Viking staff person was working and he called out "Good morning!" I replied, thinking it is so typical of Viking staff to be so friendly. When I returned and walked by and was several steps past the office I heard, "Mr. Love!" I turned and the staff member came out and was walking towards me. He stuck out his hand and I read on his badge he was the General Manager of the ship! He said, "We are so happy you are on board with us and filming this episode. Thank you! And.....we added on the "silver spirits drink package for you" and if a larger suite opens up we will upgrade your stateroom - but we are nearly full so I'm not sure that will happen. But thank you so much." I was so impressed that he even offered to upgrade us. Once Kim and I met with James and Ciara I asked again about what would be the plan, and they said "how ever you want to do it," so I suggested we follow the "script" I'd laid out earlier for them and we began shooting. Nearly every scene led to multiple "takes" as a guest would walk into the frame or more often the lighting was bad as I walked around talking. But throughout the shooting both of them kept remarking "you're a natural at this" and "that was brilliant Mark!" I was very flattered. Near noon we were filming on the upper deck where the World Cafe is so they wanted to film us sitting down to eat, and then we all had a leisurely lunch together. We resumed filming and for the episode's finale they had Kim and I order drinks and then go out on the upper deck. James went to the top deck and launched a drone which filmed us toasting one another and then soared off to take a panoramic view of London. THAT will be cool. As we did one last scene in the living room where I closed the episode down I thanked both James and Ciara for spending so much time with us and giving me the opportunity to do another episode. Both then remarked they were "sure there will be more episodes" and said what they wanted to do next was to arrange for me to join them on a cruise and film an episode throughout the cruise. I LIKE THAT idea :) It was just a great day. Big thanks to my wife Kim for being so supportive (and making several "cameo appearances" in the shoot, and for taking the action shots below! This evening we depart from London and will sail to Dover for tomorrow's adventure!
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