Sarsha Drakeford + Sylvia Humphries Diary #1

Sarsha Drakeford (left), art director and Sylvia Humphries (right), junior copywriter at DDB NZ are competing in the Film category of the Cannes Young Lions competition. Here, the pair report exclusively for Campaign Brief.

Expectation of Day 1:

Reality of Day 1:

After leaving NZ as Young Lions we arrive in Cannes 41 hours and 35 minutes later as mere husks-of-human-beings barely able to raise a whimper much less a roar. After an all too brief sleep we arose tout suite this morning to attend the film briefing along with 60 other contestants from all corners of the earth. But, as they all made clear with their concern at our paleness, ours was the furthest corner.

Post-briefing we hit the rose in our room. A lax approach to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? No, the right one – for our briefing has been postponed for 3 days due to some errant S9s we were meant to film on. And we thought we’d spent an age getting here. On the upside, as compensation, once we do get out mitts on that S9, we get to keep it. Only problem, there are two of us. May the battle to the death commence.

Things we’ve learnt so far:

1. Always imagine the headshot you’re sending will end up somewhere and pick wisely.

2. Tan pre-Cannes.

3. French customs may be being paid under the table by Apple.