How to make a child laugh on camera

This Vodacom/Giant Films shoot was the best! This little 3 year old had so much joy she was a total delight to work with.  The production team had made sure that she had a back-up, in case she didn't have the energy for all the shots.  Playing with toys and a child minder off set there was a another little girl dressed exactly the same with a wig of hair to match those crazy curls.  But this little star shone her allotted time. 

To get this shot both myself and the director, Ian Gabriel, had mock cell phones in our mouths and we were spinning and spinning with her mimicking us.  We felt like total hero's, the last shot of her scenes!  Ian was so delightfully playful with her, and the team created such a respectful set, knowing how to make a quite, focused space for a little one. 

And no folks, that isn't a real cell phone and don't try this at home.  Most people don't know that little children shouldn't play with cell phones,  if they do it needs to be in airplane mode, their brains are too sensitive for radiation - until age 10!  We aught to all be on earphones!  But that's another story.