SHOWING TONIGHT from the van: THE AGE OF STUPID
9.30pm somewhere on Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes.
Afterwards there’ll be a Q+A with producer Lizzie Gillett.
Free wine available. Be there and support the planet!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
SHOWING TONIGHT from the van: THE AGE OF STUPID
SHOWING TONIGHT from the van: THE AGE OF STUPID
9.30pm somewhere on Boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes.
Afterwards there’ll be a Q+A with producer Lizzie Gillett.
Free wine available. Be there and support the planet!
Notes on Cannes from a Van #1
Last night was a funny one.
For the last three months everything has gone into Cannes in a Van Year 3. It’s not an easy thing to get up and running every year when you have a pressured day job and most of your free time is taken up with all things van-shaped. It’s expensive (this year no sponsorship – tough climate and lack of time got the better of me) and time-consuming (thankfully Sam was on board to ease things up a little this time) with no ‘actual’ rewards apart from the satisfaction of knowing we did something good for filmmakers.
–
The first two screening nights were great. Thursday: rocked up on the Croisette no probs, showed about 3 hours worth of films, met great people and went home at around 2 for some well-deserved vin rosé. Friday: Similar kind of vibe with more rosé consumed. Saturday night: The busiest night in the whole festival – DISASTER (in my head). Park up early, all-be-it far up the Croisette… all is good. ‘Hmmm, we’re chilled, let’s go for dinner’… come back, no van. Oh.
-
I guess at some stage it was going to happen, we’ve been lucky these past years. In Cannes, you see cars towed every five minutes, but not big high-top yellow Transits which are trying to do a good thing for filmmakers and independent cinema. Maybe we thought the van was too big for them, or too British for them to bother with. Well, we got that wrong.
–
It’s just that all I wanted for that busiest night of the festival was to screen films for 4 hours to people who’d never seen them, or even considered short-film from a van as a form of entertainment. Instead, I was racing around in Janus’s ‘support’ van trying to get ours back (thanks Janus for being cool). We drove back, got papers, went to the police station, got more papers, went back to the pound, paid 96€ and then drove round for ages. Finally pitched up at around 00.45, screened films and left. It was busy, but we were quiet. Disappointed.
Tonight better not go down like that.
Andy
For the last three months everything has gone into Cannes in a Van Year 3. It’s not an easy thing to get up and running every year when you have a pressured day job and most of your free time is taken up with all things van-shaped. It’s expensive (this year no sponsorship – tough climate and lack of time got the better of me) and time-consuming (thankfully Sam was on board to ease things up a little this time) with no ‘actual’ rewards apart from the satisfaction of knowing we did something good for filmmakers.
–
The first two screening nights were great. Thursday: rocked up on the Croisette no probs, showed about 3 hours worth of films, met great people and went home at around 2 for some well-deserved vin rosé. Friday: Similar kind of vibe with more rosé consumed. Saturday night: The busiest night in the whole festival – DISASTER (in my head). Park up early, all-be-it far up the Croisette… all is good. ‘Hmmm, we’re chilled, let’s go for dinner’… come back, no van. Oh.
-
I guess at some stage it was going to happen, we’ve been lucky these past years. In Cannes, you see cars towed every five minutes, but not big high-top yellow Transits which are trying to do a good thing for filmmakers and independent cinema. Maybe we thought the van was too big for them, or too British for them to bother with. Well, we got that wrong.
–
It’s just that all I wanted for that busiest night of the festival was to screen films for 4 hours to people who’d never seen them, or even considered short-film from a van as a form of entertainment. Instead, I was racing around in Janus’s ‘support’ van trying to get ours back (thanks Janus for being cool). We drove back, got papers, went to the police station, got more papers, went back to the pound, paid 96€ and then drove round for ages. Finally pitched up at around 00.45, screened films and left. It was busy, but we were quiet. Disappointed.
Tonight better not go down like that.
Andy
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Pains, Manes and Automobiles
Finally, got round to writing up the remainder of the trip, all documented in my notebook. I think I was craving some normality in my life for a short time, and recovering from my (expected) welcome home cold! x
Afternoon Friday 23rd May 2008
Of course it would be on the last day that we would find a cafe which serves food AND beer, as opposed to the other internet cafes we have found serving only teeny coffees and chocolate bars. And it's sunny again, but we are sat in a street completely in the shade!
We've just been sat next to a couple of very comical pugs, each perched on a chair, round a table with a plate of food on it. One of them had a crooked neck and neither of them were able to get off the chairs unaided!
Despite our best efforts, we still didn't make it in until 3pm. It may be sunny but I have given up trying to get a tan, and tomorrow is set to be cloudy for our journey home.
Andy is currently printing off new flyers for tonight's grande finale. We are pulling out all the stops. Popcorn as well as the complimentary wine, the screening of The Green Film Prize competition films and announcement of the winner, and the premiere of Cannes in a Van - The Documentary, filmed, edited and directed by Sharron Ward, director of Katalyst Productions, a TV documentary comapny based in London (how's that for a plug!). Oh what a night!
Cannes has been an amazing experience and a huge amount of fun but I feel a sense of relief that it is our last day. We have been on the Croisette 8 nights straight, screening films until 2 or 3am, spending the days getting ready for the nights, uploading the website and Stu has been editing like mad. It is pretty relentless. Not to mention the fact we were all working the week and day we left! Like pretty much everyone else we have spoken to in Cannes, it feels like we have been here for a month.
It's surprising how tiring it can be talking to people non stop all night, often trying my best to convey what we are doing in French. Most people have been really polite and interested but there is the odd drunk or cocky youth who ruin it.
And living with 2/3 guys in a caravan who I only met one or two months ago (and then only a handful of times) has been odd too. All we really knew of each other beforehand was a few nights out drinking and discussing what would happen in Cannes. I think considering the close proximity we have had with each other we have got on pretty well. Although my hair straightening and make-up applying appears to have been slightly bothersome at times. Given the fact that we are in a city swathed in glamour, I feel I should be entitled to a few minutes preening, which has mostly (and will tonight) taken place in the van or internet cafe toilets!
Cath xxx
Afternoon Friday 23rd May 2008
Of course it would be on the last day that we would find a cafe which serves food AND beer, as opposed to the other internet cafes we have found serving only teeny coffees and chocolate bars. And it's sunny again, but we are sat in a street completely in the shade!
We've just been sat next to a couple of very comical pugs, each perched on a chair, round a table with a plate of food on it. One of them had a crooked neck and neither of them were able to get off the chairs unaided!
Despite our best efforts, we still didn't make it in until 3pm. It may be sunny but I have given up trying to get a tan, and tomorrow is set to be cloudy for our journey home.
Andy is currently printing off new flyers for tonight's grande finale. We are pulling out all the stops. Popcorn as well as the complimentary wine, the screening of The Green Film Prize competition films and announcement of the winner, and the premiere of Cannes in a Van - The Documentary, filmed, edited and directed by Sharron Ward, director of Katalyst Productions, a TV documentary comapny based in London (how's that for a plug!). Oh what a night!
Cannes has been an amazing experience and a huge amount of fun but I feel a sense of relief that it is our last day. We have been on the Croisette 8 nights straight, screening films until 2 or 3am, spending the days getting ready for the nights, uploading the website and Stu has been editing like mad. It is pretty relentless. Not to mention the fact we were all working the week and day we left! Like pretty much everyone else we have spoken to in Cannes, it feels like we have been here for a month.
It's surprising how tiring it can be talking to people non stop all night, often trying my best to convey what we are doing in French. Most people have been really polite and interested but there is the odd drunk or cocky youth who ruin it.
And living with 2/3 guys in a caravan who I only met one or two months ago (and then only a handful of times) has been odd too. All we really knew of each other beforehand was a few nights out drinking and discussing what would happen in Cannes. I think considering the close proximity we have had with each other we have got on pretty well. Although my hair straightening and make-up applying appears to have been slightly bothersome at times. Given the fact that we are in a city swathed in glamour, I feel I should be entitled to a few minutes preening, which has mostly (and will tonight) taken place in the van or internet cafe toilets!
Cath xxx
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Gael in 60 Seconds...
late Thursday 22nd May 2008
After my casual demeanor following my sighting of Spielberg, I thought I was unstarstruckable. Alas, I was wrong. GAEL GARCIA BERNAL had the power...and this is how it came to pass that a grown woman was stopped in her tracks by a vista of beauty...
As myself, Stu and Andy made our way to the van from the Internet cafe, Andy turned and asked, "Isn't that the guy from The Motorcycle Diaries?". I turned around and sure enough, a vision of hobbit-sized perfection (for you Nithra x) was heading in the opposite direction. I set off at warp speed, then realising I didn't have a camera (since blowing up my camera battery on the second day with a french converter I have been 'sans' camera), tunred back and screeched at Andy to give me his. As a hetrosexual man, I don't think he quite understood the relevance and importance of speedy camera passing in this situation and failed to act. So I pelted down the road, past GAEL and his lady friend, and hovered and stared a few metres in front of them. They stopped to look in a shop window which was my golden chance to advance on him. But instead my body chose to dither on the same spot, whilst they carried on their way and walked right past me.
I would have loved to be telling the tale as Stu suggested - that he and Andy pranced down the road after him, drooling, whilst I cooly stood back, unimpressed. And then Gael walked right past them, over to me, and handed me his phone number. And we lived happily ever after.
But it didn't happen that way and I am kicking myself. Regardless, I still had a big smile on my face all the way back to the van and for the rest of the evening. Afterall, I was lucky enough to see GAEL on an open street, a metre away from me, and gaze at him uninterupted for a full minute. Anyway, I have since found our that he lives in Brick Lane, about 20 minutes from where I live!!
Cath xxx
After my casual demeanor following my sighting of Spielberg, I thought I was unstarstruckable. Alas, I was wrong. GAEL GARCIA BERNAL had the power...and this is how it came to pass that a grown woman was stopped in her tracks by a vista of beauty...
As myself, Stu and Andy made our way to the van from the Internet cafe, Andy turned and asked, "Isn't that the guy from The Motorcycle Diaries?". I turned around and sure enough, a vision of hobbit-sized perfection (for you Nithra x) was heading in the opposite direction. I set off at warp speed, then realising I didn't have a camera (since blowing up my camera battery on the second day with a french converter I have been 'sans' camera), tunred back and screeched at Andy to give me his. As a hetrosexual man, I don't think he quite understood the relevance and importance of speedy camera passing in this situation and failed to act. So I pelted down the road, past GAEL and his lady friend, and hovered and stared a few metres in front of them. They stopped to look in a shop window which was my golden chance to advance on him. But instead my body chose to dither on the same spot, whilst they carried on their way and walked right past me.
I would have loved to be telling the tale as Stu suggested - that he and Andy pranced down the road after him, drooling, whilst I cooly stood back, unimpressed. And then Gael walked right past them, over to me, and handed me his phone number. And we lived happily ever after.
But it didn't happen that way and I am kicking myself. Regardless, I still had a big smile on my face all the way back to the van and for the rest of the evening. Afterall, I was lucky enough to see GAEL on an open street, a metre away from me, and gaze at him uninterupted for a full minute. Anyway, I have since found our that he lives in Brick Lane, about 20 minutes from where I live!!
Cath xxx
Friday, May 23, 2008
Sun!! And a night in the life of....
3pm Thursday 22nd May 2008
Scorchio. Finally a hot day!! It's so hot my arms have changed colour in a very short space of time. I don't hold up much hope for getting a tan now though. The majority of the afternoon is spent either in the van trying to park, or in an internet cafe.
We've just had a bbq feast on our patio, probably our first substantial meal since we arrived. It was marvellous. Eating seems to be the least of our concerns. We usually manage to have breakfast or lunch, but the afternoon and evening are so manic that eating gets bypassed and I just graze on Prince biscuits and carambars all evening. But at least we don't reek of garlic and mussels, which unfortuately most people I speak to each each night do.
The nights are getting a bit quieter although we are still getting a good crowd. We flyered in the afternoon yesterday which was really successful. People aren't in such a rush and have time to stop and talk. Every evening there is a screening of a film classic on the beach and as soon as the film finishes, I dash over to the beach exit and give everyone flyers, offering more free films. And we have the added bonus of wine! Excellent marketing initiatives! Although there are a lot of people who are on their way to the glitzy parties, there are also a lot of people who are just doing the tourist thing, or who have failed to get an invite to a party - like us.
But we have our own little party with all sorts of colourful characters. There are the directors of the films we are showing who always stop and chat with us, we've had families with pushchairs, glamorous couples, lots of American tourists, people from all over Europe, a crazy German on crutches who wears white shorts, a studded leather jacket and baseball cap studded with some serious bullets. He seems to be really enjoying our films, and our wine, and has become a bit of a regular. He always leaves very graciously and heads off to the beach to sleep. Unfortuately our inviting pink seats have also drawn some really drunk people. We (luckily not me) had to physically remove a rather unsavoury character who stumbled over to us and promptly fell asleep in one of the front chairs. Jaunus, Stu and Andy had to lift him out of the seat and put him by the flowerbed as he was completely out cold. He didn't even really flinch when we moved him. Luckily I had some wipes to hand as he really was very unsavoury.
(I just had my toes licked under the table by an ugly little rat puppy with a leopard skin lead, but am rejocing at the use of an English keyborad once again).
Cath xxx
Scorchio. Finally a hot day!! It's so hot my arms have changed colour in a very short space of time. I don't hold up much hope for getting a tan now though. The majority of the afternoon is spent either in the van trying to park, or in an internet cafe.
We've just had a bbq feast on our patio, probably our first substantial meal since we arrived. It was marvellous. Eating seems to be the least of our concerns. We usually manage to have breakfast or lunch, but the afternoon and evening are so manic that eating gets bypassed and I just graze on Prince biscuits and carambars all evening. But at least we don't reek of garlic and mussels, which unfortuately most people I speak to each each night do.
The nights are getting a bit quieter although we are still getting a good crowd. We flyered in the afternoon yesterday which was really successful. People aren't in such a rush and have time to stop and talk. Every evening there is a screening of a film classic on the beach and as soon as the film finishes, I dash over to the beach exit and give everyone flyers, offering more free films. And we have the added bonus of wine! Excellent marketing initiatives! Although there are a lot of people who are on their way to the glitzy parties, there are also a lot of people who are just doing the tourist thing, or who have failed to get an invite to a party - like us.
But we have our own little party with all sorts of colourful characters. There are the directors of the films we are showing who always stop and chat with us, we've had families with pushchairs, glamorous couples, lots of American tourists, people from all over Europe, a crazy German on crutches who wears white shorts, a studded leather jacket and baseball cap studded with some serious bullets. He seems to be really enjoying our films, and our wine, and has become a bit of a regular. He always leaves very graciously and heads off to the beach to sleep. Unfortuately our inviting pink seats have also drawn some really drunk people. We (luckily not me) had to physically remove a rather unsavoury character who stumbled over to us and promptly fell asleep in one of the front chairs. Jaunus, Stu and Andy had to lift him out of the seat and put him by the flowerbed as he was completely out cold. He didn't even really flinch when we moved him. Luckily I had some wipes to hand as he really was very unsavoury.
(I just had my toes licked under the table by an ugly little rat puppy with a leopard skin lead, but am rejocing at the use of an English keyborad once again).
Cath xxx
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The red carpet treatment
4am Wednesday 21st May 2008
Today we got to experience some of the glitz of Cannes. We were originally going to enter the 24 Hour Film Challenge which was held on Saturday but there is only so much you can do in one day, and we were still reeling from the journey. But Andy was invited to be part of the panel judging the contest and today was the day. As usual we were in a mad rush to get everything ready, time just vanishing through our fingertips. And then disaster! We were all in the van ready to go when Stu noticed our campsite swipecard wasn't in its usual place in a pocket on the dashboard. And so began a half hour search for the card. The van was turned upside down and as the last person to use the card, I wildly rifled through all the clothes in my room (not unlike the rigmorol I go through every morning before work!). It was nowhere to be found. Painfully late by this stage, we got a replacement from reception (50 euros!), then a few minutes down the road, eagle eye Stu noticed there was a hole at the back of the dashboard pocket and, on closer inspection, I located the card wedged behind the dashboard. Huge relief.
But we were not out the woods. We had huge difficulty finding the villa where the film ceremony was being held and drove round inanely narrow hilly roads before arriving 2 hours late. Then came the problem of trying to park. Having a big yellow van and a charismatic Stu has many advantages - the security guy told us to park in front of the villa and said he would watch it for us. Result!
Of course today would be the day that I chose to wear a faded black dress with a hole in the side and let my hair dry into a frizzy puffball. We walked through the gates, up the red carpeted stairs and sweeping steps to the villa, past the pool and plastic ladies in slinky dressesm and into the hall where the films were being shown. And where there was a huge mirror reiterating just what a state I looked. To our right was a bar. A free bar. Serving free cocktails, aptly named 'red carpets'. Of course we indulged. I'm sure there were some amazing films shown, but we must have been too late and had to endure a tedious and cringeworthy soft porn short about a couple getting amorous on a staircase.
The villa may have had free cocktails and a swimming pool, and ladies with enormous chests but at our evening screenings we have free wine (red, white AND rose!) and beer and great films. And the naked ladies in our films (not that there are that many, don't get the wrong impression!) are stunning and real and our audience sit in silent appreciation of the beauty on screen rather than smirking at smutiness. So I was happy to go back down the hill and begin our 5th night on the Croisette.
Cath xxx
Today we got to experience some of the glitz of Cannes. We were originally going to enter the 24 Hour Film Challenge which was held on Saturday but there is only so much you can do in one day, and we were still reeling from the journey. But Andy was invited to be part of the panel judging the contest and today was the day. As usual we were in a mad rush to get everything ready, time just vanishing through our fingertips. And then disaster! We were all in the van ready to go when Stu noticed our campsite swipecard wasn't in its usual place in a pocket on the dashboard. And so began a half hour search for the card. The van was turned upside down and as the last person to use the card, I wildly rifled through all the clothes in my room (not unlike the rigmorol I go through every morning before work!). It was nowhere to be found. Painfully late by this stage, we got a replacement from reception (50 euros!), then a few minutes down the road, eagle eye Stu noticed there was a hole at the back of the dashboard pocket and, on closer inspection, I located the card wedged behind the dashboard. Huge relief.
But we were not out the woods. We had huge difficulty finding the villa where the film ceremony was being held and drove round inanely narrow hilly roads before arriving 2 hours late. Then came the problem of trying to park. Having a big yellow van and a charismatic Stu has many advantages - the security guy told us to park in front of the villa and said he would watch it for us. Result!
Of course today would be the day that I chose to wear a faded black dress with a hole in the side and let my hair dry into a frizzy puffball. We walked through the gates, up the red carpeted stairs and sweeping steps to the villa, past the pool and plastic ladies in slinky dressesm and into the hall where the films were being shown. And where there was a huge mirror reiterating just what a state I looked. To our right was a bar. A free bar. Serving free cocktails, aptly named 'red carpets'. Of course we indulged. I'm sure there were some amazing films shown, but we must have been too late and had to endure a tedious and cringeworthy soft porn short about a couple getting amorous on a staircase.
The villa may have had free cocktails and a swimming pool, and ladies with enormous chests but at our evening screenings we have free wine (red, white AND rose!) and beer and great films. And the naked ladies in our films (not that there are that many, don't get the wrong impression!) are stunning and real and our audience sit in silent appreciation of the beauty on screen rather than smirking at smutiness. So I was happy to go back down the hill and begin our 5th night on the Croisette.
Cath xxx
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Pop, pout, pap
Morning Tuesday 20th May 2008
Last night we premiered Itsi Atkins' Pop Your Panties - a short music video parody about Paris, Nicole and Lindsay 'popping their panties'. Having found us the night before and asking us if we would like to show his film (we are, afteral, the perfect vehicle for independant film), Itsi came fully loaded with marketing ploys distributing lacy g-strings and flyers with condoms attached to the back. He also managed to find the rather glamorous Dita on the street, who was more than happy to promote the film, donning one of the original drersses from the film - a skimpy gold sequin number. Dita was a complete natural in front of the camera and got straight into her role, popping her panties and pouting for Itsi's camera and the passers by. Drawn by Dita's assets, we soon had a respectable crowd eagerly awaiting the premiere. Amongst the audicence was my Dad, who had taken a detour on his way down to Spain to come and watch some films. So there he was, sat watching Itsi's creation, whilst Dita struck a thousand poses behind him facing her expectant audience. This is the surrealness of Cannes. As the film finished, a troop of sailors sauntered by and suddenly Dita was sandwiched between a gaggle of gawping sailors and a media frenzy of papping, popping and pouting broke loose. Itsi and Dita were beside themselves with glee. And then just as quickly as the commotion had happened, it died down again. I took the opportunity to steal an interview with the elated Itsi and Dita, who once again, displayed her ease in front of the camera. For anyone who wants to know more about Dita, she also had her own website, which, no doubt, hundreds of delighted sailors are glued to as I speak.
Perhaps it was Itsi's film, or perhaps it was the free wine and beer we have started giving out, but we had a really good crowd, keeping myself Stu and Janus busy whilst Andy kept the films coming all evening. And then the rain came, again. It's getting pretty tiring now. A few of our die-hard fans remained, sheltered under umbrellas, but eventually we admitted defeat and returned to the campsite. The expectations of being able to have an early night were knocked flat as the wine flowed and ideas for our return festival back at the Movieum (Sun 1st June to Tuesday 3rd June - plug, plug, plug). I retired at 4 (which seems to be pretty standard so far), whilst Andy and Stu talked on into the morning. So it ended up being the latest night yet. Perhaps it's not so great to keep a large stash of wine in the van....
Cath xxx
Last night we premiered Itsi Atkins' Pop Your Panties - a short music video parody about Paris, Nicole and Lindsay 'popping their panties'. Having found us the night before and asking us if we would like to show his film (we are, afteral, the perfect vehicle for independant film), Itsi came fully loaded with marketing ploys distributing lacy g-strings and flyers with condoms attached to the back. He also managed to find the rather glamorous Dita on the street, who was more than happy to promote the film, donning one of the original drersses from the film - a skimpy gold sequin number. Dita was a complete natural in front of the camera and got straight into her role, popping her panties and pouting for Itsi's camera and the passers by. Drawn by Dita's assets, we soon had a respectable crowd eagerly awaiting the premiere. Amongst the audicence was my Dad, who had taken a detour on his way down to Spain to come and watch some films. So there he was, sat watching Itsi's creation, whilst Dita struck a thousand poses behind him facing her expectant audience. This is the surrealness of Cannes. As the film finished, a troop of sailors sauntered by and suddenly Dita was sandwiched between a gaggle of gawping sailors and a media frenzy of papping, popping and pouting broke loose. Itsi and Dita were beside themselves with glee. And then just as quickly as the commotion had happened, it died down again. I took the opportunity to steal an interview with the elated Itsi and Dita, who once again, displayed her ease in front of the camera. For anyone who wants to know more about Dita, she also had her own website, which, no doubt, hundreds of delighted sailors are glued to as I speak.
Perhaps it was Itsi's film, or perhaps it was the free wine and beer we have started giving out, but we had a really good crowd, keeping myself Stu and Janus busy whilst Andy kept the films coming all evening. And then the rain came, again. It's getting pretty tiring now. A few of our die-hard fans remained, sheltered under umbrellas, but eventually we admitted defeat and returned to the campsite. The expectations of being able to have an early night were knocked flat as the wine flowed and ideas for our return festival back at the Movieum (Sun 1st June to Tuesday 3rd June - plug, plug, plug). I retired at 4 (which seems to be pretty standard so far), whilst Andy and Stu talked on into the morning. So it ended up being the latest night yet. Perhaps it's not so great to keep a large stash of wine in the van....
Cath xxx
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Stars of wonder
4am Monday 19th May 2008
I'm surprised at how easily I have taken to being in Cannes. I think it is 'cause I haven't really had a moment to stop and think about being here. It's just been so hectic. We are constantly dashing between the campsite and the Croistte, charging batteries, cameras and phones and trying to get things uplaoded on the website, not even remembering to eat. As we take our place on the Croisette each night and screen our films from all the talented people who have been sending them in, I am vaguely aware that there are some seriously famous amd successful film people here. Tonight was the first time I really had a taste of the glitz and glamour. It was the Indiana Jones premiere this evening and unsurprisingly there was a lot of hype, more flashy cars than usual and a definite feeling of excitement in the air. Cannes literally seemed to be buzzing. Plus, it was the first hot and dry day and evening since we arrived and all the 'beautiful' people had come out to play. Lots of orange limbs, peroxide hair and bulging breasts strutting down the crowded Croisette.
We had a excellent spot tonight, right outside the Grand Hotel, and about 50 yards from the Indiana Jones party so could hear as soon as the paps starting hollering at the stars. Andy and Stu managed to get amongst the crowd and Andy caught a glimpse of Harrison Ford. Meanwhile I (wo)manned the van, strangely not feeling particularly fussed about seeing anyone famous.
But then all that changed. I wandered off to Petit Magestic for la toilette (it sounds almost glamorous in French!) and some beers for us thirsty workers, only to discover I had left my purse behind. Now, Petit Majestic is a bit of a walk from where we park so on my return I decided to venture down the other end of the Croisette, passed the Indiana party and found a kiosk selling beer. As I strolled back along the seafront, I noticed a tremendous flapping and papping around the Indiana party. As I got closer I heard everyone desperatly screaming "Steven! Steven!". So there I was, dv camera in hand, pushing for a view of Spielberg along with rest of the oggling crowd. And then suddenly there he was - I had a proper clear view of him, and amazingly, considering I had been wildly flailing the camera above my head, managed to get him on film. Pretty exciting stuff! And then I wandered back to our little yellow van, with the 6 chairs rowed up in front of it and out little audience watching a low budget wonder powered by boat batteries, marvelling at the fact that in the space of 50 yards, two completely different worlds can be being happening simultaneously.
Cath xxx
I'm surprised at how easily I have taken to being in Cannes. I think it is 'cause I haven't really had a moment to stop and think about being here. It's just been so hectic. We are constantly dashing between the campsite and the Croistte, charging batteries, cameras and phones and trying to get things uplaoded on the website, not even remembering to eat. As we take our place on the Croisette each night and screen our films from all the talented people who have been sending them in, I am vaguely aware that there are some seriously famous amd successful film people here. Tonight was the first time I really had a taste of the glitz and glamour. It was the Indiana Jones premiere this evening and unsurprisingly there was a lot of hype, more flashy cars than usual and a definite feeling of excitement in the air. Cannes literally seemed to be buzzing. Plus, it was the first hot and dry day and evening since we arrived and all the 'beautiful' people had come out to play. Lots of orange limbs, peroxide hair and bulging breasts strutting down the crowded Croisette.
We had a excellent spot tonight, right outside the Grand Hotel, and about 50 yards from the Indiana Jones party so could hear as soon as the paps starting hollering at the stars. Andy and Stu managed to get amongst the crowd and Andy caught a glimpse of Harrison Ford. Meanwhile I (wo)manned the van, strangely not feeling particularly fussed about seeing anyone famous.
But then all that changed. I wandered off to Petit Magestic for la toilette (it sounds almost glamorous in French!) and some beers for us thirsty workers, only to discover I had left my purse behind. Now, Petit Majestic is a bit of a walk from where we park so on my return I decided to venture down the other end of the Croisette, passed the Indiana party and found a kiosk selling beer. As I strolled back along the seafront, I noticed a tremendous flapping and papping around the Indiana party. As I got closer I heard everyone desperatly screaming "Steven! Steven!". So there I was, dv camera in hand, pushing for a view of Spielberg along with rest of the oggling crowd. And then suddenly there he was - I had a proper clear view of him, and amazingly, considering I had been wildly flailing the camera above my head, managed to get him on film. Pretty exciting stuff! And then I wandered back to our little yellow van, with the 6 chairs rowed up in front of it and out little audience watching a low budget wonder powered by boat batteries, marvelling at the fact that in the space of 50 yards, two completely different worlds can be being happening simultaneously.
Cath xxx
From Cannes to Eternity
Afternoon Monday 19th May 2008
Andy is currently being filmed by some BBC press! They are staying on our campsite and have driven up to our caravan in the... of the campsite. They've been firing questions at him and are now peering onto the depths of the van with their camera and Andy is explaining how a batterred old transit van manages to screen films all evening - with the aid of some boat batteries, a dvd player, a projector, laptop and speakers. I am hiding on some steps. I'm still struggling with the concept of being filmed by Stu and Andy for our podcasts and films for Daily Motion on the Internet, let alone by a hulking great camera filming footage for TV.
Today has been marginally more chilled, or maybe it is just that I am getting used to the preparation we need to do and settling into my role. I spent the morning cutting out flyers our on decked patio, whilst Stu was busy in our editing suite (my room) creating magic.
It's so peaceful up here in the hills. Such a contrast from the craziness of Cannes, full of flash cars, plastic people and advertising on every window, wall and available space. As much as it has been a pain to find the place each evening (although we now finallly have the route tapped!), I don't think I could stand to be staying in Cannes. It's too crazy. It already feels like I have been here for an eternity and there is still 5 days left. Time doesn't make sense here. The day flies by, and yet we have only been here 4 days. I thought maybe it was just the nature of what we are doing, but everyone i have spoken to feels the same.
Really excited about tonight. Last night was wicked. Not just 'cause we saw some famous people but becuase we had a great audience and lots of encouraging feedback. It's what it's all about. Feeling so lucky to be part of it all.
Cath xxx
Andy is currently being filmed by some BBC press! They are staying on our campsite and have driven up to our caravan in the... of the campsite. They've been firing questions at him and are now peering onto the depths of the van with their camera and Andy is explaining how a batterred old transit van manages to screen films all evening - with the aid of some boat batteries, a dvd player, a projector, laptop and speakers. I am hiding on some steps. I'm still struggling with the concept of being filmed by Stu and Andy for our podcasts and films for Daily Motion on the Internet, let alone by a hulking great camera filming footage for TV.
Today has been marginally more chilled, or maybe it is just that I am getting used to the preparation we need to do and settling into my role. I spent the morning cutting out flyers our on decked patio, whilst Stu was busy in our editing suite (my room) creating magic.
It's so peaceful up here in the hills. Such a contrast from the craziness of Cannes, full of flash cars, plastic people and advertising on every window, wall and available space. As much as it has been a pain to find the place each evening (although we now finallly have the route tapped!), I don't think I could stand to be staying in Cannes. It's too crazy. It already feels like I have been here for an eternity and there is still 5 days left. Time doesn't make sense here. The day flies by, and yet we have only been here 4 days. I thought maybe it was just the nature of what we are doing, but everyone i have spoken to feels the same.
Really excited about tonight. Last night was wicked. Not just 'cause we saw some famous people but becuase we had a great audience and lots of encouraging feedback. It's what it's all about. Feeling so lucky to be part of it all.
Cath xxx
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