It’s been more than 18 months that i’ve moved to Brussels, heart of Europe (rumor has it). I didn’t came here for the FUN-tastic weather, nor for the language i can’t understand (remember « dank u » for thank you -this is probably only funny in French actually), nor for the pleasure of a 19th moving, and 5th country in 4 years. Nope, just a project, from a Studio that you probably never heard about. Nwave Digital. Now currently on what is a nice project, one of the only one like that in Europe, in stereo (or in « 3D » if you want). It’s called « Around the World in 50 years », I can’t talk about it obviously but well. I might be able to share why I like being in here on this project.

After the destruction of the Studio in Luxembourg (issue with the North American team, world war between the studio, and a nice project called « 9″ going back to America, leaving freakin talented artists behind…. pffff…). I asked myself… « what now? »…. I’m a PR & media guy.. would i want to go back to london? dublin? tryin’ the US? stay in France (that idea actually went for like only 15minutes during the ads of a football game gotta confess). No. I’ll have the opportunity, given by the tip from a friend (who was also animator in luxembourg) about this studio in Brussels.

In less than 10 days, got 2 mails « hi it’s me vince » « when can you come to visit? » « tomorrow » « fine » « hi, there…! » « thanks for coming » « no problem, i was just yesterday in paris anyway just for a day » « can you start in 2 months » « yes ». ahah.. longer than how i started in luxembourg (a week legend tells), but nonetheless impressive.

So here i was, coming to Belgium. The project is a long feature, called « around the world in 50 years », talking about a turtle as the main character I would need a lot of time to come properly in the production pipeline, this is only the 2nd long feature of the studio (1st one being the first ever film made only for 3D, it was « Fly me to the moon » who came out last summer), so of course, not everything’s perfect, but that’s also why it’s challenging on a daily basis, we’re creating a film, we’re happy about that (or at least most of us), it’s not always easy regarding the time we have, but that’s why I also love those projects, for the pression, the moments spent thinking about how we can arrange stuff and the facft that i’m surrounded by people with talent…

Yes… The crew!! got to confess that they had needed some time to not see me as a proper « foe », but a real allie, someone that is here to help them, and not only to scream at them like the cliché of production guy would say. That’s why i’m sometimes invited to drinks outside the studio, and that they come to see me with the issue they are having before going to see my 2 bosses. This is where, sometimes, my philosophy « If you’ve got a problem, solve it, then when solved i’ll spread the word we had an issue » is taking all of his sense

So well, between barbecues, evening’s at the studio, this project is going forward, and yeah. I’m fuckin’ proud to see right now, in Cannes, a 12m long poster of our movie in front of the Hilton. I’m fucking proud of being part of it and trying to help as much as possible. We’re not pixar, dreamworks, bluesky -the lads of ice age-, but we’re making a movie that WILL come out (those who have known like me a project that is unwillingly have a full stop will know the feeling).

So well, here i am, happy in Brussels, living my life on a daily basis. « Don’t worry, life is easy » as i always say. And it’s this. Every project, we’re learning, trying to go foreward… and yes, you can call me care bear, but i have faith in my job and in this studio. Can’t talk about the movie, just taking snaps that are currently available on the web but well, maybe you’ll think about me if you ever go and see it when it comes out. As you can see on the banner, Studio canal will distribute it, which is actually a very good news

Right now, « Awakening » would be the appropriate word for what my life is. And currently waiting to see what the other projects are to keep moving forward and keep learning ( so no, i will not become a professionnal photographer as the last couple of weeks discussion were inviting me to. Not enough talent, and need a daily basis work with human interaction).

Might go and see also a « 4D » version of a 13minutes long attraction of the movie in Europa Park (Germany) this summer, if anyone cares to join…

And obviously, this is just the fun times, I can’t show really the studio, because of all the sketches, color key and stuff on the walls or on the screens :/

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In my ears : The Knack -My Sharona- ♫ « Ooh my little pretty one, pretty one. /When you gonna give me some time, Sharona?/Ooh you make my motor run, my motor run. / Gun it comin’ off the line Sharona/Never gonna stop, give it up. /Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch/of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo. M M M My Sharona… » ♫