"Okay so here's the idea, the music video is going to be simple, classic if you will"
The guys nodded, looking around the room, three large rectangle shaped lights lay at the back of the set, amps and leads lay on a pretty much empty orange room. My aim for the video was to just have them perform the song, no crazy theatrics, just them pretending to play the song as if it were live.
"So the backing track will play, and when Paul says action, just give it all you got and act as though it were a live concert, okay?"
I was met with nods...mostly. Julian looked at me with a slightly odd expression, I mirrored his cocked head and he let out a sigh.
"Okay guys, go take your positions, Julian...can you come talk to me a sec?" Julian seemed to snap out of his trance and he nodded, following me to behind the camera.
"What's up? You seem deep in thought"
"It's nothing, i'm good"
His tight lipped smile and tone of voice still led me to believe he was mulling something over. So, I pressed.
"Is it the set? You got any ideas you wanna pitch?"
Julian seemed to light up at this. I should've guessed he didn't like my ideas.
"No it's not the set, it's perfect. I just was thinking, you know how you want us to act as if we're performing live?"
I nodded, curious as to where he was going with this.
"Well, what if we were to do it live, no backing track"
"So...you want the official music video to be...a live performance?"
I was toying with the idea in my head, could be cool..could be a flop, and I didn't want to give my manager any reason to regret giving me this job.
"Yeah! It'll be cool, it'll be like a show, for people on their couch"
His comparison made me laugh, causing Julian to mirror my laugh.
"You know what, sure. You go tell the guys and i'll speak to a sound tech"
"Thank you Kat"
Julian gave a small hug and pecked my cheek, my cheeks instantly turned a shade not to dissimilar to a tomato but thankfully Julian was already on his way over to the rest of the guys.
••
The video had been a success, Julians idea for having the music video be live was proving to be super fun. I didn't actually have to do much directing, since Julian seemed to already know how to work the camera.
As I watched him sing the first verse into the camera lens again, I fought back a smile. He really was hot, and I mean hot. I didn't realise how long i'd been unintentionally staring until the camera was on Alberts guitar and Julian was sending me a wink. I made my eyes look anywhere else in the room as I focused on not embarrassing myself.
••
"Anddd..that's a wrap! Thanks guys, you were amazing to work with!"
Fab pulled me in for another hug, then when I was released I received more side hugs from the other members. Ultimately, leaving me in the arms of Julian, his hands lingered on my lower back a tad long and his chin rested atop my head. I pulled away and flashed him a shy smile as I tuned into whatever the hell Fab was saying.
"..and if we ever do anymore videos, you'll be the first person we call!"
I blushed as Fab complimented me, and the others nodded with him.
"Thank you guys for making my job easier, hopefully i'll see you soon"
I was met with 'Yeahs' and 'Byes'
as I watched the guys walk away from the warehouse. But noticed Julian stayed, smoking a cigarette as I hovered on the door.
"Thanks again for listening to my ideas, normally directors don't care about the artists opinion, so it was really cool of you" Julian rubbed the back of his neck as he stubbed out his cigarette.
"Of course! I mean it's your art, so how you choose to display it is entirely up to you" I smiled, eyes squinting slightly from the bright sun.
"You're a really cool girl Kat, way too cool to be working with corporate assholes" He breathed a laugh through his nose, adorable as you like.
"I could say the same to you Casablancas" I poked his stomach lightly and let out a giggle.
"Touché. Anyways, I should get going, just wanted to say thanks again"
"It's my pleasure, really Julian, hopefully i'll see you soon"
He nodded, then swivelled his body round and I assumed he was going to walk away, but he only got about two feet away before he turned around.
"Gah, look i'll kick myself later if I don't ask, but I don't wanna be that guy, okay look..uh are you...seeing someone?"
I was nearly rendered speechless, he was interested in me? I thought back to my pretty non-exciting love life and smiled.
"Um, no i'm not"
"Does that mean I can ask for your number?" He asked hopefully.
"Yup, give me your hand"
He looked at me confused, but gave me his hand nonetheless. I flipped it and began to write with the sharpie I kept in my bra.
"Just don't wash your hand alright Casablancas" I laughed.
"I'll never wash this hand again!" He spoke dramatically, hands on heart to enforce his mock-romance.
"Gross, now go or you'll miss your ride!" I smiled.
He nodded and gave me another peck on the cheek before turning and walking away, leaving me to smile all giddy like a teenage girl with a crush.
