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Ian Mills – X-Factor

HELLO LOVES!!

I wanted to tell you all about my latest project.

It’s one of those #major projects that I was so pleased to be asked to do.

One of those with a secret name that we were not aloud to speak about, not even over the phone.

I have worked on some exiting projects in my time, and with some huge names, but this one got me so exited. “Project Percy” as it was know turned out to be the M&S Christmas commercial, pretty good in it’s self.

But who was to be the star or stars?

VV Brown ?

Twiggy?

I opened the top secret file to find that in my hands I held the list of the

finalists for the X-Factor 2011.

Now jump back- this is a month ago,

On tv they had not yet been to the judges houses. (note- it had been filmed, but not transmitted)

I was holding gold, only a few people new what was on that list.

And the press would have killed for it

My challenge, to mentor the finalists in their first ever film recording experience, and make it tops.

No amateurs, no crap, top quality performances and for a huge brand.

Mmmm lovely . right up my street.

I must say I enjoyed every minute of the job. And It looked like the guys did too, but I could have told you from the outset who was going to do well and who would slide, the big shock was Emilia she was so great to work with and gave so much, even more than I had hoped, and is probably not in the end edit as she Is no longer in the show- well SHE IS NOW!!!

But here are some tips, as the one’s that did well, from Craig through to Jonny, all had the same skills, skill all performers need to hone.

1. Listen…. To everything that is going on around you.

2. Focus, only perform when needed, not 24/7 is boring and it’s annoying .

3, Don’t be shy to give that little bit more even if your not sure if it’s

the right thing to do. Better to do more than less, ( it’s hard to work) with a corpse .

4. Don’t run off to smoke when you could be needed at any time. We don’t have the time to come and find you!

5. Try to enjoy yourself. No one likes a misery.

Take a look at the commercial here (airs on the 5th November).

I hope you like it. I thought they all did really well.

Ian