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When did you start camera work?
In 1986 I was doing a little bit of AFF but it was not enough money. I
had filmed some jumps for fun and this stuntman, Alain Prieur called me
and said he wanted to jump without a parachute. I thought it was very
exciting. It was the beginning of a new job for me as a skydiver and film-maker.
Patrick de Gayardon was the safety person for the jump. He and I were
on the national team together. I also started to do some organising, so
I was now making money. There was not a lot of work but it was the beginning.
Before that I had worked with my father who was selling fruit and vegetables.
1986-88 was really the start for me to become a freefall cameraman. We
did the Reebok commercial, the first skydiving footage showing skysurfing.
Have you tried skysurfing?
I tried it once but I didn't like it. I didn't like not to have my feet
free.
What jumping are you into?
At the moment I like the wing suits a lot and freefly. The suits by Loïc
Jean-Albert are the best I think.
How many jumps do you have and why did you start?
11,000. It was a static line in the north of France. I think it was a
subconscious call. I just knew.
What's the longest time you've had away from jumping?
Probably a month in the winter. I haven't had injuries. I am very prudent.
I don't want to be away from skydiving because of a skydiving accident
and that's a good motivation to be safe.
You are known as probably the world's top FS load organiser, will
you continue?
I would like to be part of the freeflying during boogies. I like load
organising, I am load organising (RW) during boogies and there is a nice
atmosphere with the freeflyers. I see them and I would like to be with
the freeflyers full time during boogies. I would like to do everything
actually as the atmosphere in RW is so great as well. I always have a
special time with the RW people during boogies when I am organising nice
big ways. It is a good challenge to organise people going for the same
goal. It is important to get a bit of discipline but I don't like to put
too much pressure as otherwise it is not fun. The most important thing
is the good atmosphere in the group without forgetting the rule number
one which is to respect that it is other people's skydive and other people's
money.
Tell us about your forthcoming movie, Crosswind
It is a brave film because at this time it is important to show a lot
of things to please everyone, both RW and freefly. We wanted to amaze
people. There are so many good cameraflyers and so much good footage at
drop zones, it is a challenge to come up with fresh footage. We wanted
to show unusual, special things. This is a movie with a story. It is about
how different people flying in different ways are using the relative wind
to perform. For the first time in the skydiving cinematography history,
I wanted to make a film which gives a face to the relative wind by making
it almost visible in the mind of the viewers through whole footage, the
soundtrack and the writing of the movie.
So, what treats are in store?
Well, the FlyBoyz draw incredible curves in the sky trailing smoke. We
have Omar Alhegelan demonstrating he is the master of the head-up freefly
position flying with his Skyball. Omar becomes also a human wing, surfing
the relative wind by using the power from the surface area of his back.
The final segment of Crosswind presents Olav Zipser flying like dolphins
swim. The father of freefly becomes an atmospheric dolphin when he is freeflying
in and around a 10-way star with Sebastian XL 4-way team and friends.
Olav opens a new gate in the sky by showing an incredible edge in freefly
in a way never seen before.
And above the Arizona desert, Airspeed members catch the wind in the
most aggressive ways, flying in three dimensions. This segment has lots
of slow motion footage, showing the beauty of technical moves in sequential
flight. French skydiver Loïc Jean Albert flies in his special suit between
200 and 500 feet above the rock edge of a mountain. Crosswind has been filmed
in some different wonderful places around the world but New Zealand has
touched my heart very deeply. This country is incredible and its people,
the Kiwis, have a special soul. Most of the planet should be like New
Zealand! There is a huge range of different scenery where a warm vibe
is floating. For Crosswind, Wendy Smith takes the viewers through beautiful
wing suit flights high above Lake Taupo with its magic light of summer.
Anything else?
Is that not enough? Of course there is more... Rickster Powell swoops
gorgeous Lake Taupo's Volcanic Plateau, between large rocks and pilots
his high speed canopy inside narrow volcanic ravines. Bruno Brokken and
Richie Hornig slice the timeless waters going under the stone arches of a vintage Spanish
bridge. Plus a group of highly experienced French base jumpers show their
flying skills during a few seconds between the cliff edge and their chosen
opening altitude - which is close to the impact point!
Where do we get hold of one?
Call the Kit Store in the UK.
Why is it being released so long after anticipated? It was due in
August 2000!
Because I decided to finalise the movie with a special soundtrack including
original music with a lot of sound design. The film has now its own soul
and personality, expanding an emotional vibe in the heart of the viewers.
It is worth the delay!
Is it true you are a perfectionist?
I am never happy about what I have got when I am working and filming.
Sometimes I need to see the footage a little later to realise it is good.
16mm film is beautiful, you cannot compare it with video. I try to have
as little equipment as possible. The weight on the helmet can change a
lot your balance when freeflying.
Who do you admire in skydiving?
People like Jerry Bird and Tom Piras made my dreams. I love the history
of skydiving. I have a lot of respect for it, also I love the freeflying,
it is the new stuff. I think I am lucky because I am a skydiver in two
different ways; RW and freeflying.
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