Features
How to escape the paparazzi
Louis Leonida, owner of Silver Screen Limousines, on the best way to avoid the snappers
"The bigger the star, the bigger the paparazzi pack. And the bigger the lens, the tougher my job gets.
"We deal with most of London's biggest film premières and there are two things that we always work on: discreetness, and getting the celebrity from A to B while trying to avoid all of the flashbulbs.
"Some celebrities like to leave a party coming out the front to face a sea of flashing lights; others like to disappear out of a side door. Either situation requires a fair amount of planning.
"The PR team will let us know about pick-up times and then we'll inform security. We'll pull up in front of the location about five minutes early, ready for the celebrity to get out of the building and into the car with the least amount of hassle.
"But if we happen to be there for more than five minutes, thanks to a scrum of jostling photographers, then we think about the side door. It's not in our best interest to put anyone in a dangerous situation, so safety is always our first priority.
'It all comes down to our drivers being aware of the situation and how to best deal with it'
"But if all goes well, the star can be in the car and we can get on our way in seconds.
"Big Hollywood clients obviously generate a lot of attention and photographers in their cars often follow us. The drivers are able to communicate with each other using the radio.
"If car A is carrying the client, then drivers will talk to each other, so cars B, C, and D will work together to confuse the paparazzi, or strategically slow down, which often results in them missing a green light and allowing the car up front to get away quickly and safely.
"At no point do we drive dangerously or break the law. It all comes down to our drivers being aware of the situation and how to best deal with it.
"That care and attention to detail means that the celebrity can get out of the car at the drop-off
without being photographed.
"A big, powerful car always helps and our fleet consists of Mercedes S-Classes exclusively. Some people, though, might request SUVs such as Range Rovers or BMW X5s.
"It can get pretty stressful being followed by the press, knowing you have an A-list celebrity in the back of the car.
"You have to remember that it's not a life-threatening situation and with a cool head you can get the star in and out of the building with the minimum of fuss."
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