Honesty - behind the claquete

On the past days from 13 to the 15th of June, I was invited to work as a gaffer to the most recent work by Karin Capuano, soon to be released (can't wait for it!) titled 'Honesty'. Even though I am not allowed to say much about the content of the motion picture - it will be updated once I get permission to do it -, I can show some of the insight of the 3 nights we spend organising, setting up and shooting for what is about to become a very interesting film!

Even though I am hiding a lot of details about this project, I can tell you that this proposal came almost by 'accident'. You must be asking yourselves 'By accident? What does he mean with that!!'
Well, the fact is that I was at her house with some friends, when Karin got in in a rush, with her producer, just to get some stuff she had forgotten and head out the minute after. However, I said hello to her, the moment before she left the house and asked her what was the matter. In the middle of the conversation, getting excited about the picture, I offered myself to do anything to help them out - I was on holiday already - to which she said 'Of course! I'd love you to make some stills, if that's alright'.

Being happy, but not the happiest, because it would be really neat to have a more important duty on the creation of it - not saying that being a still photographer is bad! - I carried on with my life.
And it went very smooth, with no big events... you know, just a regular, tranquil day. Until... I got something that changed everything on the making of 'Honesty'

Karin, who first had asked me to be the still photographer, was know asking me to play as a gaffer. For those who don't know what a gaffer is, he basically plays the role of head of the electrical department meaning that I was setting up the lights to the likes of the director!

This news made me incredibly happy, knowing that I was gonna be playing one of the most important roles after the director and director of photography! That also revealed how much trust someone had put on my capabilities, to the point when, during the shooting of the motion picture, no one was telling me what to do, as I almost had scripted my idea of lighting to the scenes, of which were just what the Karin was looking for (this also saved her a lot of worries, giving her room to think about other issues).

As for the inspiration, in terms of lighting, from what Karin told me what the film was gonna be like, I found Eduard Grau's cinematography from 'Single Man' to be one to be inspired by to the design of the light, and the result was what you are just about to see!

After 3 days of shooting and preps from 6 pm - 6 am,
a well deserved power nap during the final shots.

Lovely working with all of you and look forth to see the final outcome! :D

The folk back

Like always, one has to go back home. After the end of the festival, I got a lift back to Angers but, even though the city looked very friendly, tiredness was way to much for me to adventure myself walking and finding a place to crash so, after a few messages, I got my train back to Tours and stayed with Carol for another two nights, of which I was able to see the city again but on this time, adventure for other parts that I didn't go before.

So much love in the air!!!

I really find funny the sac of potatoes, waiting to be picked up inside by it's beloved one ^^  

Also, because of it's size, being there for a second time allowed me a lot more time to sit on the cafes to read, draw and write for a while, while enjoying the beat of it's people.

Because of my time spent at the cafes, I had the most unpredictable episode ever! In the morning of my flight, I head to the cafe to kill some time, while having a wake up coffe, watching the city waking up, trying to learn a bit more of my very rusty french. Everything was running smoothly when a girl - around my age - came closer to me and asked me for what I thought to be a lighter. Went to my bag, looked for it on the pocked and, when finally with with and turned to her, she had left. However, there was a surprise for me: a lucky strike cigar with a phone number!
When I got notion of what had happend, I looked around, trying to understand if that was real or a   prank of some sort. But no one came, leaving me to the very moment of illumination: someone just gave me a phone number on a cigar!!!!
Truly indescribable!

Indeed a wow of a trip, and a yay of a accomplished one!

Even though a bit sad for be leaving France so early, I am really glad for making here, as this smal walk around opened a couple of doors for the incoming month's festivities!  ^^

It has been found!

And it is Folk Music!!

The road up to Damada was a very funny one, to say the least. Full of lifts - I got 5, not including the one straight to the folky festival! This happened because of my choice of taking the national road rather than heading close to the motorway thus allowing me to have a more relaxed, longer journey up in France.
The day of the hitch was a long, hot day. Even though I got my stops, it also had it's walkable moments and they were not few, nor little some times. It started right after the sun came up, and as the sun was half-way between sleep time and lunch time, I was arriving at Coulans s/ Gée.
The small little village, with long wide roads, thin tiny houses - very cosy though - were the stage for what was gonna be on of the most admirable festivals I've witnessed so far.
Following the signs, I ended up on this football field, now place for the many tents that would be placed there.
My tent though, wasn't there yet, as Lena was still on her way down from Rennes here. It was amazing though for because of this, I met an amazing, and big! group of dutch people with whom I spend a lovely time with and also got to know some very interesting things, such as other festivals were I might go in the future! hehe

Every festival I go it rain, but only for one day/night! Truth be told, I find it very odd

Green, hilly pastures, incredible, warm sunny weather. Horses, feeding of the healthy grass, showing off and making those walking pass looking at them in awe, this was the surrounding of this small grand gathering.

 

Lovely people, from many different countries - 12 at least, from my counts - bringing their own music background and dancing styles, blending at the sound of amazing music, some of which have inspired me for life, and an energy that makes you wanna dance all day and all night, non-stop; just feeling the music, reacting to what is being played - or sang.

by Yann Ontsa-Ontsa :)

Divided by both dancing and music workshops, during the day and balls following jam sessions at night, are that very ancient recipe for a whole day of intensity and good fun. Amazing dancing workshops, particularly the junction between musicians/professors that set the quality of them very high in the bar, giving me the skivvies when thinking about how the night balls would be like.

As the day would set, everyone would make their dinner and get ready for the big, long night of dancing that was waiting for us. Some relaxation before the gigs, more towards the end of the festival, due to tiredness and bad nights of sleep - to much dancing - we are all waiting for the music to come: pure magic and joy!

From the simplest cercles to the most elaborate valses, every dance had a tingle in it. Not one of uncomfortableness but rather a very intense and unbelievable felling that was running on my body. Nonetheless to say that, every night was full on of dancing, until the very last chord - appart from the second night when I went to the tent to get my camera and the tent took hover me hehe 

Every festival/folk gathering that I go to has a different mood to it. However, all of them share the same basic things: friendship, companionship, share, love for the food ^^ music, dance - obviously - and most of all, love!

Thanks you all!