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
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
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
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Another Late Night
4.45am Sunday 18th May 2008
Just returned from another madcap excursion around Cannes and the the surrounding villages. I swear the campsite moves every night. We didn't learn from last night and ended up taking Barcord James home again and got dreadfully lost, despite Andy's claims to know Cannes like the back of his hand. Took us over an hour to get home - and I was on the ball and wide awake this time. Si and Stu were in the back of the van in pitch black, loud hailing us from the megaphone If Andy wasn't so stubbon that he knew the way, we might have got home earlier!
Things are starting to take shape. We've found a fantastic wi-fi cafe and have been able to upload and update what we're up to. Amazingly we were able to park in exactly the same spot as last night, though yet again, were thwarted with torrential showers and sat in the van drinking warm beer until the rain stopped. At this rate, I'm gonna run out of clothes - I packed expecting blazing sunshine. Having set up the van earlier in the day, we were able to get films on straight away and soon had several people gathering round the van. It's difficult to miss a bright yellow transit van festooned with sponsors on the Croisette.
Little lovely coincidences kept happening throughout the evening. We screened one of the successes of last year, Shantell Town, and a friend of Paulette James, the director, randomly walked by and stopped for a chat. A bit later, screening Safe Zone, a film from this year's selection, the actor, director and producer walked by. We've had people dropping in films who didn't manage to get them to us before we left. It's great meeting the people whose films I'm growing more and more attached to each time we screen them. I got to speak to a lot of people last night, which was great, until Andy told me I had something black stuck in my teeth. I am mortally embarassed. A word of advice - steer clear of garibaldi biscuits when in the public spotlight. And we finally hooked up with Janus - last seen before Lyon on the way down. We've been showing some of his films and the intro to Stu's documentary, The Plymouth-Dakar Challenge.
We carried on til about 1, having safely removed a random crazy drunken guy who came and danced in front of the screen and then started to drift to sleep on one of our chairs, then headed off for some food. In all the craziness of the day, we realised we hadn't eaten since out sausage feast. I had possibly the most revolting crepe I have ever eaten in a seedy little cafe with the tiniest toilet I think I have ever seen.
Roll on tomorrow. Tonight was a success and I really enjoyed myself.
Cath xxx
Just returned from another madcap excursion around Cannes and the the surrounding villages. I swear the campsite moves every night. We didn't learn from last night and ended up taking Barcord James home again and got dreadfully lost, despite Andy's claims to know Cannes like the back of his hand. Took us over an hour to get home - and I was on the ball and wide awake this time. Si and Stu were in the back of the van in pitch black, loud hailing us from the megaphone If Andy wasn't so stubbon that he knew the way, we might have got home earlier!
Things are starting to take shape. We've found a fantastic wi-fi cafe and have been able to upload and update what we're up to. Amazingly we were able to park in exactly the same spot as last night, though yet again, were thwarted with torrential showers and sat in the van drinking warm beer until the rain stopped. At this rate, I'm gonna run out of clothes - I packed expecting blazing sunshine. Having set up the van earlier in the day, we were able to get films on straight away and soon had several people gathering round the van. It's difficult to miss a bright yellow transit van festooned with sponsors on the Croisette.
Little lovely coincidences kept happening throughout the evening. We screened one of the successes of last year, Shantell Town, and a friend of Paulette James, the director, randomly walked by and stopped for a chat. A bit later, screening Safe Zone, a film from this year's selection, the actor, director and producer walked by. We've had people dropping in films who didn't manage to get them to us before we left. It's great meeting the people whose films I'm growing more and more attached to each time we screen them. I got to speak to a lot of people last night, which was great, until Andy told me I had something black stuck in my teeth. I am mortally embarassed. A word of advice - steer clear of garibaldi biscuits when in the public spotlight. And we finally hooked up with Janus - last seen before Lyon on the way down. We've been showing some of his films and the intro to Stu's documentary, The Plymouth-Dakar Challenge.
We carried on til about 1, having safely removed a random crazy drunken guy who came and danced in front of the screen and then started to drift to sleep on one of our chairs, then headed off for some food. In all the craziness of the day, we realised we hadn't eaten since out sausage feast. I had possibly the most revolting crepe I have ever eaten in a seedy little cafe with the tiniest toilet I think I have ever seen.
Roll on tomorrow. Tonight was a success and I really enjoyed myself.
Cath xxx
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Football, and more rain
5pm Saturday 17th May 2008
We're now sat in the Station Tavern in Cannes, drinking Amstel and watching the FA cup - Andy is a huge Portsmouth fan, and he's talked about watching the match non-stop since we set off. Having driven round Cannes for the last hour trying to find a parking space, it's good to finally sit down and rest for a couple of hours. Since waking up we've been back on the case straight away. I cooked sausage, beans and poached eggs for brunch (tres Anglaise!), Stu's been busy editing footage again, Andy's been arranging the van with Si, and they have managed to get the surroundsound working - kindly loaned to us from The Movieum of London where we had our send-off party - and I cleaned the outside of the van and Andy's painted over some of the rust. The van is ready for a night on the town!
And so are we. Being our first full evening on the Croisette, it is good to be fully loaded up with sleep, know what the score is on the Croisette, and in expectation of some press action and lots of fascinated passers-by. I'm excited with anticipation at what the evening holds and feeling a little less useless than I did this morning...and it's still raining.
Cath xxx
We're now sat in the Station Tavern in Cannes, drinking Amstel and watching the FA cup - Andy is a huge Portsmouth fan, and he's talked about watching the match non-stop since we set off. Having driven round Cannes for the last hour trying to find a parking space, it's good to finally sit down and rest for a couple of hours. Since waking up we've been back on the case straight away. I cooked sausage, beans and poached eggs for brunch (tres Anglaise!), Stu's been busy editing footage again, Andy's been arranging the van with Si, and they have managed to get the surroundsound working - kindly loaned to us from The Movieum of London where we had our send-off party - and I cleaned the outside of the van and Andy's painted over some of the rust. The van is ready for a night on the town!
And so are we. Being our first full evening on the Croisette, it is good to be fully loaded up with sleep, know what the score is on the Croisette, and in expectation of some press action and lots of fascinated passers-by. I'm excited with anticipation at what the evening holds and feeling a little less useless than I did this morning...and it's still raining.
Cath xxx
CiaV, back on the Croisette!
Afternoon Saturday 17th May 2008
So last night was our first night on the Croisette. After leaving McDonald's, we made our way back to th campsite which is incidentally incredibly difficult place to find, with or without a map. Somehow we ended up high on a hill on a single lane snaking qround a craggy edge, rock on one side, long perious drop on the other. And then we met a car, and what followed was a hair-raising battle to get passed. Cars were building up behind and in frontm the ones in front had to reverse on the trecherous high road as we edged closer and closer the rock face. Meanwhile Si was desparately trying to get the camera sorted to film it, I was whimpering and Andy was swearing. Eventually we managed to get through, though it looked like we were in danger of being completely gridlocked for good. After a few more wrong turns, we got back to the site, and had a much needed drink - my first alcoholic beverage of the trip. And I had my first shower since Wednesday morning - over two days without washing!!
We were all pretty wiped out but pushed to get ready for the evening and eventually got into Cannes about 10pm. As you would expect, the traffic was incredibly busy and we were stuck for quite a while. We got a space after just two laps of the block, amazingly in virtually the same palce as CiaV parked last year - slap bang on the Croisette in front of the harbour, lined with white teepees surrounded by red lighting - it looked stunning.
Andy and Stu got working on setting up the van ready to screen some films, and suddenly it was happening - we were screening films from the back of the van right there omn the Croisette! In all our tiredness it seemed we found renewed energy at the joy of suceeding in what we had come to do.
Some old friends from last year's festival dropped by - Liz from Moviescope magazine and James from The Barcord (The Barocrd's music features on our CiaV animation). It was a pretty successful night given that we were all knackered, had done no promtion for the evening and the weather had been against us. Quite a few people stopped by, interested in what was going on, cars were slowing as they passed us and a French tv company even expressed an interest, so fingers crossed.
We called it a day at gone midnight and went to the Petit Magestic - one of THE places to go for drinks - absolutely rammed and seriously expensive - 21 euros for a rouns of 4 drinks - in a country where you can fill up a bottle of wine for 2 euros from the local supermarche! I was so tired by now I thought I was going to pass out standing up.
Getting home was, as is getting to be a habit, a nightmare. We got stuck behind bin men, then got lost again, having picked up Barcord James en route and dropping him in deepest darkest Cannes. We got home at gone 3, and all went straight to the land of zzzzzz's.
Cath xx
So last night was our first night on the Croisette. After leaving McDonald's, we made our way back to th campsite which is incidentally incredibly difficult place to find, with or without a map. Somehow we ended up high on a hill on a single lane snaking qround a craggy edge, rock on one side, long perious drop on the other. And then we met a car, and what followed was a hair-raising battle to get passed. Cars were building up behind and in frontm the ones in front had to reverse on the trecherous high road as we edged closer and closer the rock face. Meanwhile Si was desparately trying to get the camera sorted to film it, I was whimpering and Andy was swearing. Eventually we managed to get through, though it looked like we were in danger of being completely gridlocked for good. After a few more wrong turns, we got back to the site, and had a much needed drink - my first alcoholic beverage of the trip. And I had my first shower since Wednesday morning - over two days without washing!!
We were all pretty wiped out but pushed to get ready for the evening and eventually got into Cannes about 10pm. As you would expect, the traffic was incredibly busy and we were stuck for quite a while. We got a space after just two laps of the block, amazingly in virtually the same palce as CiaV parked last year - slap bang on the Croisette in front of the harbour, lined with white teepees surrounded by red lighting - it looked stunning.
Andy and Stu got working on setting up the van ready to screen some films, and suddenly it was happening - we were screening films from the back of the van right there omn the Croisette! In all our tiredness it seemed we found renewed energy at the joy of suceeding in what we had come to do.
Some old friends from last year's festival dropped by - Liz from Moviescope magazine and James from The Barcord (The Barocrd's music features on our CiaV animation). It was a pretty successful night given that we were all knackered, had done no promtion for the evening and the weather had been against us. Quite a few people stopped by, interested in what was going on, cars were slowing as they passed us and a French tv company even expressed an interest, so fingers crossed.
We called it a day at gone midnight and went to the Petit Magestic - one of THE places to go for drinks - absolutely rammed and seriously expensive - 21 euros for a rouns of 4 drinks - in a country where you can fill up a bottle of wine for 2 euros from the local supermarche! I was so tired by now I thought I was going to pass out standing up.
Getting home was, as is getting to be a habit, a nightmare. We got stuck behind bin men, then got lost again, having picked up Barcord James en route and dropping him in deepest darkest Cannes. We got home at gone 3, and all went straight to the land of zzzzzz's.
Cath xx
Saturday morning blues
12.15pm Saturday 17th May 2008
The rain just doesn't stop. I've just woken up after my first horizontal sleep since Tuesday and by far the longest sleep I've had in over a week - 9 hours right through. Without a laptop or internet connection it's quite difficult to write my blog so Ive taken to writing in a clairefontaine notebook - feeling a little pretentious with my chosen favoured notebook for scribing in, like Chatwin and Van Gough with their moleskins, but hey, I'm in Cannes afterall.
I'm also feeling pretty useless right now. I did none of the driving, I've never used a camera before, I'm not tech savy and I've been so unbelievably tired that I haven't been able to function properly. Last night, on the way back from the Croisette, I couldn't keep my eyes open to help navigate Andy back to our campsite. I'm aware that everyone might be wondering why on earth I'm here. In my guilt I have offered to do the cleaning qnd cooking to qt least relieve some of the stress - though it is nothing compared to driving across France, on the hop editing, worrying if we will be qble to park on the Croisette each evening and if it is going to be possible to launch Green on Screen International, Andy's new project. Hopefully this is just morning blues. And if the sun was shining I might be feeling altogether different....
The rain just doesn't stop. I've just woken up after my first horizontal sleep since Tuesday and by far the longest sleep I've had in over a week - 9 hours right through. Without a laptop or internet connection it's quite difficult to write my blog so Ive taken to writing in a clairefontaine notebook - feeling a little pretentious with my chosen favoured notebook for scribing in, like Chatwin and Van Gough with their moleskins, but hey, I'm in Cannes afterall.
I'm also feeling pretty useless right now. I did none of the driving, I've never used a camera before, I'm not tech savy and I've been so unbelievably tired that I haven't been able to function properly. Last night, on the way back from the Croisette, I couldn't keep my eyes open to help navigate Andy back to our campsite. I'm aware that everyone might be wondering why on earth I'm here. In my guilt I have offered to do the cleaning qnd cooking to qt least relieve some of the stress - though it is nothing compared to driving across France, on the hop editing, worrying if we will be qble to park on the Croisette each evening and if it is going to be possible to launch Green on Screen International, Andy's new project. Hopefully this is just morning blues. And if the sun was shining I might be feeling altogether different....
Friday, May 16, 2008
A Long Way Down
This is going to have to be a quick update as we are having trouble finding any wi-fi action and places to upload material. So, WE ARE HERE - IN CANNES! Andy, Si and myself are sitting outside McDonald's using their wi-fi. It's pretty miserable weather but the inside of McDonald's is being ripped out so we have no choice but to sit and shiver under the heat lamps! Stupidly, I thought it would be glorious weather and only have flip flops for daywear.
The last 36 hours have been eventful for sure. We have all been knackered and at times tensions have run a little high. I've been drifting in and out of conciousness for the whole trip after a crazy week at work and not much sleep. Andy and Stuart have been amazing with their driving skills. The most I managed was a few laps of a service station car park, so full credit to them for getting us down here. The trip through the tunnel went smoothly, and, unlike last year, we didn't go via Dunkirk! We made pretty good progress, with a couple of stops. We had as four or five hour stop before Lyon in McDonald's which was really productive. Stuart got on with some editing for the first featured film whilst Andy and myself went on a quest for oil to fuel our journey. Carrefour was our saviour. We bought 6 five litre bottles and stocked up on wine and junk food for the remainder of the trip. On our way out, we saw a double rainbow - one of those little magic events that happens on adventures like this where you feel it has happened just for you. Much of the journey from then on focused on the artisitic differences of Stuart and Andy and how to document the trip - podcast of serious documentry. After nearly 24 hours on the road and only snatched hours of sleep it probably wasn't the best time for this kind of talk but again, this is one of those moments that happens and stands out.
Stuart amazingly pushed on until we were 100 miles shy of Cannes, by now 2am. We'd talked about staying in a forumla one but ended up kipping in the car park at a services (which was shut). Stuart got in the back of the van, and Andy and myself in the front, squashed uneasily under the steering wheel. Thanks to the fabulous neck pillows Sally (Andy's girlfriend) got for us, we woke up in a lot less pain than I had done a few hours earlier when I had nodded off unaided by the supporting pillow. This was the first time we had all stopped and slept properly and it was definitely much needed. We woke at 8ish, had some breakfast and got back on the road for the last leg to Cannes. It seems all a long time ago now.
Driving rain pretty much the whole way there but a relief to get to our caravan site. We're amongst lots of trees in a hilly area about 5 miles outside Cannes. Our caravan is delightful with a large decked area outside and a bbq and lots of pretty plants. There's a bunch of French film students on our site who have invited us for drinks with them. This afternoon we've been on the go, Stuart making another film, Andy and myself stocking up on food, and having just picked up Si in the manic traffic of Cannes, we are ready to head back, clean the van, get ready for the evening, drive back into Cannes and hope for a place on the Croisette. With the weather as it is, it looks like it will be a pretty quiet launch.
Cath x
The last 36 hours have been eventful for sure. We have all been knackered and at times tensions have run a little high. I've been drifting in and out of conciousness for the whole trip after a crazy week at work and not much sleep. Andy and Stuart have been amazing with their driving skills. The most I managed was a few laps of a service station car park, so full credit to them for getting us down here. The trip through the tunnel went smoothly, and, unlike last year, we didn't go via Dunkirk! We made pretty good progress, with a couple of stops. We had as four or five hour stop before Lyon in McDonald's which was really productive. Stuart got on with some editing for the first featured film whilst Andy and myself went on a quest for oil to fuel our journey. Carrefour was our saviour. We bought 6 five litre bottles and stocked up on wine and junk food for the remainder of the trip. On our way out, we saw a double rainbow - one of those little magic events that happens on adventures like this where you feel it has happened just for you. Much of the journey from then on focused on the artisitic differences of Stuart and Andy and how to document the trip - podcast of serious documentry. After nearly 24 hours on the road and only snatched hours of sleep it probably wasn't the best time for this kind of talk but again, this is one of those moments that happens and stands out.
Stuart amazingly pushed on until we were 100 miles shy of Cannes, by now 2am. We'd talked about staying in a forumla one but ended up kipping in the car park at a services (which was shut). Stuart got in the back of the van, and Andy and myself in the front, squashed uneasily under the steering wheel. Thanks to the fabulous neck pillows Sally (Andy's girlfriend) got for us, we woke up in a lot less pain than I had done a few hours earlier when I had nodded off unaided by the supporting pillow. This was the first time we had all stopped and slept properly and it was definitely much needed. We woke at 8ish, had some breakfast and got back on the road for the last leg to Cannes. It seems all a long time ago now.
Driving rain pretty much the whole way there but a relief to get to our caravan site. We're amongst lots of trees in a hilly area about 5 miles outside Cannes. Our caravan is delightful with a large decked area outside and a bbq and lots of pretty plants. There's a bunch of French film students on our site who have invited us for drinks with them. This afternoon we've been on the go, Stuart making another film, Andy and myself stocking up on food, and having just picked up Si in the manic traffic of Cannes, we are ready to head back, clean the van, get ready for the evening, drive back into Cannes and hope for a place on the Croisette. With the weather as it is, it looks like it will be a pretty quiet launch.
Cath x
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tomorrow tomorrow.....
It is late. I can hear the birds singing, rather loudly. Tomorrow we leave. I have a mountain of clothes on my bed ready to be squeezed into my bag. Why is it summer clothes need ironing and winter ones do not? I am praying there is an iron at our campsite. I've borrowed a ton of stuff from my friend and the lovely Teresa at Puma has kindly kitted us out with some bits and bobs. I am sporting fluorescent pink flip flops as we speak!
I'm ridiculously tired, been frantic all day. Work continues to be crazy, trying to tie everything up before I leave. All the oven gloves have nearly been sent out - hurrah!! Then I met up with Teresa. Then I popped into see Andy after work who was busy at his desk creating some beautiful flyers for Green on Screen. Then I had an inane dash around Oxford Street trying to get the last of what I needed, bounding around Topshop completely unsuccessfully and failing to do the cursory essential Boots trip. Then I came home, wolfed down some soup, then went out again to pick up some more dvds for Cannes. Finally got back here to pack at 11.30. And I know tomorrow is going to be even worse - working all day then straight to our send-off.
Our exciting leaving do is tomorrow at the Movieum on South Bank - details are on our website but basically come along from 7pm and we will be leaving at 10pm
We've got some articles online now through the Irish News and Film Detail. And hopefuly tomorrow we'll feature in some of the papers. Tomorrow evening there's goona be some press at our send-off and Newsnight are staying on our campsite!!
I have checked the weather and it is going to rain rain rain for the next few days! The only solace I can take from this is that it will be raining here as well.
Now I'm going to bed as I can barely see the screen for tiredness. At least there is no danger of me not being able to sleep with excitement. I am ready to drop.
More tomorrow.......
Cath
xxx
I'm ridiculously tired, been frantic all day. Work continues to be crazy, trying to tie everything up before I leave. All the oven gloves have nearly been sent out - hurrah!! Then I met up with Teresa. Then I popped into see Andy after work who was busy at his desk creating some beautiful flyers for Green on Screen. Then I had an inane dash around Oxford Street trying to get the last of what I needed, bounding around Topshop completely unsuccessfully and failing to do the cursory essential Boots trip. Then I came home, wolfed down some soup, then went out again to pick up some more dvds for Cannes. Finally got back here to pack at 11.30. And I know tomorrow is going to be even worse - working all day then straight to our send-off.
Our exciting leaving do is tomorrow at the Movieum on South Bank - details are on our website but basically come along from 7pm and we will be leaving at 10pm
We've got some articles online now through the Irish News and Film Detail. And hopefuly tomorrow we'll feature in some of the papers. Tomorrow evening there's goona be some press at our send-off and Newsnight are staying on our campsite!!
I have checked the weather and it is going to rain rain rain for the next few days! The only solace I can take from this is that it will be raining here as well.
Now I'm going to bed as I can barely see the screen for tiredness. At least there is no danger of me not being able to sleep with excitement. I am ready to drop.
More tomorrow.......
Cath
xxx
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Life's too short
I can't be bothered to count the days for fear of a coronary. It may not seem stressful, this van malarkey, but it has deep consequential effects on a lot of things. While Cath is excited, I am scared. Well, more anxious... with symptoms of something like mental convulsions. My mind is filled with Cannes shit and green shit. We're supposed to be converting this bloody heap of a van into an eco-triumph running it on vegetable oil to focus attention on an important film project called Green On Screen. Problem is, I have under 2 weeks to get this done, the garage is in Brighton, I'm in London with a day job which takes up too much of my mind and time and have a scrambled brain from thinking about too many things at once. I know it will come together, I hope we'll succeed in whatever the quest is we're facing and at least we have a team of people to make it happen. I worry, that's my problem.
Blooming Futures is the place we're getting the conversion done. That's the first plug. There'll be plenty more from here on in if all goes to plan.
I'm setting up Stu on this blog in a bit. He might have something interesting to muse about.
Andy
Friday, May 02, 2008
Less than 2 weeks!!!!!!
Less than two weeks to go now! Things have been mega busy. We now have a full team of Cannes in a Vanners! A couple of weeks ago we held some 'interviews' and are going to be joined by Stuart, underwater filming extrordinair, normally based in Thailand, and Janus, a Polish Cannes veteran who's going to be helping out whilst we're down there. Two very interesting characters who will no doubt bring a lot to the trip. We had our first meeting all together on Monday and had a good brain storming session, followed by one too many drinks, and on to a party in Soho with some filmy people - on a Monday night!!!
There's been a lot of interest from various companies and press which is marvellous. All shall be revealed soon. Suffice to say, it's pretty exciting stuff! And our little Facebook group is growing steadily, and lots of praise and admiration has been flooding in. Andy has been beavering away, flinging emails off to various people. Unfortuantely I have been struck down by oven glove disasters at work over the last couple of weeks which has taken up a lot of my time, hence have not been updating my blog as much as I have wanted to, but, we are nearly through the silicone mountain and I will be furiously blogging from now on in.
My Cannes transformation is starting to take shape. Having eaten nothing but couscous and vegetables, with the odd bagel thrown in, my jeans definitely feel a little roomier. I'm getting my haircut by barnet king, and friend of mine, Stacey, tomorrow morning (for the first time since the beginning of September, much to his and my horror). Sit-ups start in earnest next week and I dare say a little 'sun' might pass my way before we cross the channel...
Can't believe it is a week and a half 'til we go. Time has flown by so quickly and there is still oodles to do. I had a dry run at tunnels the other day. I drove through the Blackwall tunnel - alone! Slight hyperventilations along the way but I got through it, and more importantly, got through the other side!
We'll be having a big send off party on the night we leave (Weds 14th), details to follow shortly...
Sponsorship and help always welcome by the way everyone!
Speak soon xxxxxxx
There's been a lot of interest from various companies and press which is marvellous. All shall be revealed soon. Suffice to say, it's pretty exciting stuff! And our little Facebook group is growing steadily, and lots of praise and admiration has been flooding in. Andy has been beavering away, flinging emails off to various people. Unfortuantely I have been struck down by oven glove disasters at work over the last couple of weeks which has taken up a lot of my time, hence have not been updating my blog as much as I have wanted to, but, we are nearly through the silicone mountain and I will be furiously blogging from now on in.
My Cannes transformation is starting to take shape. Having eaten nothing but couscous and vegetables, with the odd bagel thrown in, my jeans definitely feel a little roomier. I'm getting my haircut by barnet king, and friend of mine, Stacey, tomorrow morning (for the first time since the beginning of September, much to his and my horror). Sit-ups start in earnest next week and I dare say a little 'sun' might pass my way before we cross the channel...
Can't believe it is a week and a half 'til we go. Time has flown by so quickly and there is still oodles to do. I had a dry run at tunnels the other day. I drove through the Blackwall tunnel - alone! Slight hyperventilations along the way but I got through it, and more importantly, got through the other side!
We'll be having a big send off party on the night we leave (Weds 14th), details to follow shortly...
Sponsorship and help always welcome by the way everyone!
Speak soon xxxxxxx
Friday, April 11, 2008
Cath in Cannes? Can Cath go to Cannes in a van? A womannes in a van going to Cannes? You bet Cath Cannes!
Sorry it’s taken a while to get my first blog up – Internet connections and various other obstacles have crossed my path…
So over to me! I am still in enormous shock at the prospect of going to Cannes! I don’t think I shall truly believe it is happening until I am across the channel. I have been reading over Jamie’s blogs and watching the podcasts and I CANNOT WAIT!
How quickly life can change. Two months ago I had no job and was pretty miserable. Now I have a fabulous job at a product design company, a wonderful part time job in a pub, and will be all things Cannes in a Van for the next couple of months. Crazy!
So how did I get to be going on this adventure? I’ll start at the very beginning…
I first heard about CiaV through my lovely friend Mia (thank you x). I only met her for the first time in October, shortly after I’d moved to London, following four years of studying film in Cambridge and then Norwich. I didn’t have a job and things were generally not too great. I told her I wanted to work in film. She told me about CiaV. I joined the Facebook group. I started writing an email, but never got around to sending it. Last Thursday I got a Facebook group message from CiaV saying a new crew member was needed to go down to Cannes in the van, this time running on vegetable oil. Did anyone want to go? I was on my way out to the cinema (how fitting), so quickly fired back a message to Andy telling him I would love to and that I would email him later. I sent him a long email with my life story and told him of my love of film. We met up on Monday after work. Had a coffee, went to the pub. Four hours of animated talk later, I was sitting on the 55 on the way back home, rocking and grinning ridiculously imagining myself in five weeks time, in Cannes.
I can barely contain my excitement and delight! It’s going to be an incredible experience. Leaving London in a bright yellow van, knowing we have a 24 hour drive ahead of us driving from one end of a country to another, getting closer to our destination, arriving, seeing a new place, being in the sun, by the sea and beach, speaking French, drinking wine, eating French bread, and carambars, the possibility of seeing some stars, the certainty of seeing a mountain of films, and of things going wonderfully right and dreadfully wrong. Ultimately, being involved with something that I am so totally blown away about doing, and doing it with people who feel the same way. Andy has the most incredible passion and I feel honoured that he wants me on board. We’ve been in contact a lot this week on the phone and by email and are immersing ourselves in films this weekend. Hard to believe I have only met him once…already feel I have known him for years.
Naturally I also have a few niggling worries.
1. Driving a big van. I am quite scared about this prospect, even though I have been driving for 12 years. My careful driving has been a source of much amusement to my friends so I am sure this will delight them no end.
2. Tunnels. I have always been quite terrified that tunnels are going to collapse on me. I used to close my eyes when I went through tunnels and was struck by petrifying horror when I realised I would have to keep my eyes open to look at the road when I first had to drive through one. The channel tunnel is a particularly large tunnel which goes under quite a large stretch of water, which scares me - a lot.
3. French youths. When I was 11 my mum drove down to Spain with my brother and I for the summer holidays. On the first day of driving something terrible happened. We stopped at some traffic lights in Le Mans and three youths came over to wash our windscreen. My window was open and one of them reached through and stole my computer game! It was one of those little hand held games before Gameboys were around. I was utterly distraught. The lights changed, we pulled into a nearby petrol station, some guy who had seen what happened called the police. They arrived very quickly, and after a frantic chase across some fields dragged two of the boys back and made them apologise to my mum. One of them swore at her and got a huge whack from the policeman. Ha! I was still sporadically crying about it by the time we got to Spain two days later. I’m not sure I will ever fully recover from this trauma.
But, these are the things that are going to make the trip all the more challenging and memorable. And I’m sure there will be far more challenging events that happen over the next couple of months (in particular, the transformation of myself from pale and pasty in London, to glitz and glamour in Cannes!). I’m ready for it all.
Cath x
So over to me! I am still in enormous shock at the prospect of going to Cannes! I don’t think I shall truly believe it is happening until I am across the channel. I have been reading over Jamie’s blogs and watching the podcasts and I CANNOT WAIT!
How quickly life can change. Two months ago I had no job and was pretty miserable. Now I have a fabulous job at a product design company, a wonderful part time job in a pub, and will be all things Cannes in a Van for the next couple of months. Crazy!
So how did I get to be going on this adventure? I’ll start at the very beginning…
I first heard about CiaV through my lovely friend Mia (thank you x). I only met her for the first time in October, shortly after I’d moved to London, following four years of studying film in Cambridge and then Norwich. I didn’t have a job and things were generally not too great. I told her I wanted to work in film. She told me about CiaV. I joined the Facebook group. I started writing an email, but never got around to sending it. Last Thursday I got a Facebook group message from CiaV saying a new crew member was needed to go down to Cannes in the van, this time running on vegetable oil. Did anyone want to go? I was on my way out to the cinema (how fitting), so quickly fired back a message to Andy telling him I would love to and that I would email him later. I sent him a long email with my life story and told him of my love of film. We met up on Monday after work. Had a coffee, went to the pub. Four hours of animated talk later, I was sitting on the 55 on the way back home, rocking and grinning ridiculously imagining myself in five weeks time, in Cannes.
I can barely contain my excitement and delight! It’s going to be an incredible experience. Leaving London in a bright yellow van, knowing we have a 24 hour drive ahead of us driving from one end of a country to another, getting closer to our destination, arriving, seeing a new place, being in the sun, by the sea and beach, speaking French, drinking wine, eating French bread, and carambars, the possibility of seeing some stars, the certainty of seeing a mountain of films, and of things going wonderfully right and dreadfully wrong. Ultimately, being involved with something that I am so totally blown away about doing, and doing it with people who feel the same way. Andy has the most incredible passion and I feel honoured that he wants me on board. We’ve been in contact a lot this week on the phone and by email and are immersing ourselves in films this weekend. Hard to believe I have only met him once…already feel I have known him for years.
Naturally I also have a few niggling worries.
1. Driving a big van. I am quite scared about this prospect, even though I have been driving for 12 years. My careful driving has been a source of much amusement to my friends so I am sure this will delight them no end.
2. Tunnels. I have always been quite terrified that tunnels are going to collapse on me. I used to close my eyes when I went through tunnels and was struck by petrifying horror when I realised I would have to keep my eyes open to look at the road when I first had to drive through one. The channel tunnel is a particularly large tunnel which goes under quite a large stretch of water, which scares me - a lot.
3. French youths. When I was 11 my mum drove down to Spain with my brother and I for the summer holidays. On the first day of driving something terrible happened. We stopped at some traffic lights in Le Mans and three youths came over to wash our windscreen. My window was open and one of them reached through and stole my computer game! It was one of those little hand held games before Gameboys were around. I was utterly distraught. The lights changed, we pulled into a nearby petrol station, some guy who had seen what happened called the police. They arrived very quickly, and after a frantic chase across some fields dragged two of the boys back and made them apologise to my mum. One of them swore at her and got a huge whack from the policeman. Ha! I was still sporadically crying about it by the time we got to Spain two days later. I’m not sure I will ever fully recover from this trauma.
But, these are the things that are going to make the trip all the more challenging and memorable. And I’m sure there will be far more challenging events that happen over the next couple of months (in particular, the transformation of myself from pale and pasty in London, to glitz and glamour in Cannes!). I’m ready for it all.
Cath x
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
2008 - A new beginning
The time has come for the second Cannes in a Van adventure to begin.
All we know is it will be exciting and we'll screen a LOT of films.
Two things you should know:
1. We lost Jamie. I knew it. He just disappeared through a secret door to a parallel vortex where he's probably teaching ninja arts and writing great news stories.
2. What we lost in Jamie, we gained in Cath. She's writing the blog this year from the depths of our yellow Ford and it's sure to make for inspired reading.
So Cath... over to you...
Andy
CiaV
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