If you took a Qantas flight between April 2018 and early 2020 you would have seen us on safari telling you about handling your phone and that there was no smoking on Qantas flights.
So how did two Aussie expats living in Botswana get to be on the 2018 Qantas Safety video?
Here’s our little story.
Our niece Holly Chadwick, [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHjq8g-DjoEtCgVsGzbx3Xg] who had just finished her Performing Arts degree, informed us her casting agent was looking for people in Africa! We laughed but she insisted we try and do the audition as it was for an Australian company.
We were asked by the casting agent for 2 pictures and a short phone video saying hi.
Our short selfie video introducing ourselves and our interests is hilarious and will remain private. Little did we know that nature and safari was exactly what they were looking for. We sent it off not even knowing what it was or who it was for.
The next day we were informed we were on a ‘Strong hold’ and asked if we were available to be in Johannesburg on certain dates.
We noticed that the filming schedule they sent had countries all over the world and Qantas crossed our minds.
The shoot was to take place near Kruger National Park which is some distance from Johannesburg.
We were given our scripts which we practiced on the drive there. It took about 9 hours from Gaborone, Botswana.
We were also informed to bring any safari clothes, shoes and hats we already had, although nothing with branding.
The crew arrived at dinner time and it was a mad rush to get ready for the next day of filming which started at 4am! The wardrobe lady worked with us try on a combo of their wardrobe clothes and ours for the director’s approval.
We set out early AM in a safari vehicle, with some local extras, to try and find lion for the ‘I dropped my phone’ scene.
Sadly we did not find lion, but plenty of elephants, which was eventually used in the video.
It was clear the crew knew each other well and had not done an African safari. They were very friendly, focused and mildly demanding. We were able to explain a lot about the sights and sounds.
The ‘phone dropping’ scenes took a few takes and phones. As the original phone prop was damaged [a real iPhone], we had to use a second phone which was the director’s and was caught by the unseen crew lying in wait to avoid further damage.
Saying the lines was one thing, but acting out the scenes was somewhat nerve racking and amusing all at once!
The sunrise scene was filmed at sunset with an overload of Tim Tam slams.
Some of the voiceovers were done that night at 10pm.
The crew invited us to join them the next morning for some extra stills and footage. It was Pete’s birthday and they got a cake to share which was a kind gesture!
We got through the takes and also got a tiny insight into acting life. Needless to say we are not giving up our day jobs!
As Qantas celebrates 100 years this year, we are very proud and honoured to have represented the Spirit of Australia.
Given airline safety videos may never be the same again, post Covid-19, it is also a poignant throwback to carefree times and travel when damaging your phone in the seat mechanism was the biggest risk.
Click below to check out the 2018 Qantas Safety Video – Aussies being Aussies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCsCYy5qq4w