Thessaloniki Tango
September 11, 2016 at 06:24 amAfter 5 action packed days of filming Nona, Christy and Andreas wrapped up the production for our sizzle trailer in Thessaloniki, Greece last Wednesday. From the notes and productions photos I received from Nona, I believe she and the rest of the team accomplished something special together and I am looking forward to now honing the footage they produced into sharp pitch trailer by the end of September, in time for DOK Leipzig and beyond.
We still have a long way to go on the road to finding a broadcast channel home for our pitch but it is good to know that we have allies on the journey. At the EDN: Crossing Borders 2016 Team I would like to thank Cecilie Bolvinkel, Phil Jandaly and Gitte Hansen for both taking the time to introduce people like Rea at Anemone, Location Producer Eleni Fanariotou and Producer-Director Angelos Tsaousis.
I would like to especially thank Producer and Audience Developer Dimitra Kouzi who dropped everything at the last minute to schedule a Skype call with me to find out how she could help our upcoming production. As part of our conversation Dimitra helped connect us to Athens based Tango artist Vicky Damianou and while sadly we were not able to work with her due to time constraints, I remain thankful for her willingness to assist us.
In Thessaloniki I would like to thank Mihalis Gkatzogias at Artcut video equipment rentals for providing an excellent equipment rental solution for us and for taking time out of his day to share location advice with Nona. The exploration of the world through art, power and beauty of dance is at the heart of our pitch effort and Tango artist Diego Mastrangeloo was instrumental to the success of capturing this essential aspect of our pitch. I am very grateful to him for setting aside the time to teach Christy his art and to allow us to feature him in our sizzle trailer.
And these are just the people I was in-touch with prior to Nona arriving in Thessaloniki. I am sure that many stepped forward to help out Nona, Christy and Andreas that I am still not aware of – for anyone I might have missed, thank you for your kindness and support to my team.
Lastly, I would like to thank my Battle Brother Raymund Cruz AKA the Great Blonski. To put it simply, without his assistance the production would not have been able to move forward. And he provided that assistance during one of the most challenging times in his life, carrying the world and more on his shoulders. I will always be grateful for his love and support. <3
And that then brings me back to the Wild Ones. To Nona, Christy and Andreas. Again, I thank you all for embracing this production together and putting so much passion and heart into making sure that this sizzle trailer will be exceptional. I shall dedicate myself to making sure that this will be your first Tango together, not your last. Let’s keep pushing together. ^_^
– Waise
Keep Dancing <3
September 4, 2016 at 08:14 amThis past Friday in Thessaloniki, Greece we had our first shooting day for a travel series I have been developing for almost a year, from my last months in Afghanistan throughout my time here in Manila this 2016.
Now, we’re officially off to the races. It took me a year to marshal the resources to make this happen but we’re finally here. What started as a note to a few select broadcast is now taking shape, life and colour in Greece with Nona, Christy and Andreas.
This has been a tough year for me and I am nothing but grateful for everyone who has placed their faith and trust in me through this journey. None of this would have happened if Christy had not gone out on a limb to talk a strange person contacting her from Afghanistan (of all places) and have a conversation with me about working together. That soon blossomed into the idea of taking viewers aorund the world through her eyes, that of a talented and passionate dance artist. Thanks to her faith in me, we’re all here now.
Almost three years ago I met Nona here in Manila as she was passing through for work on another documentary with Dais about my friend Mark Striegl‘s MMA career. I was deeply impressed with her work ethic and focus on the job and added each other up on our FB networks. We lost track of each other for some time and then, I saw her post this music video she directed to her timeline:
Haager & Burian – Drowning
The imagery and execution of this music video made me sit up and realise that I was watching the coming-of-age of a great filmmaker. I knew I had to work with her but at this point Nona had become a highly paid and in-demand film director in New York City and when I contacted her about this project I had my doubts she would have an interest on working on another high risk pitch. Nona surprised me, she not only had an interest on working on this pitch with me but she has since made it her own child too. I am so incredibly thankful to have a creative partner like her and I am looking forward to bringing this on-air together. And we will get on this on-air.
Lastly and most importantly to me personally, even though his name has not come up in my conversations with my team I must thank my dear friend Raymund Cruz AKA the Great Bloniski. We have not only known each other for a decade here in Manila but we’re Brothers in Battle. These years in Manila have not been easy for me and he and his wife Jenny have been there to support me at every twist and accident along the road. This entire project would not have been possible without his last minute intervention. I am deeply thankful for his love and support. <3
You never know with these things but I am already proud of having been able to get here with everyone involved. And this is just the start of the journey, it is my sincere wish for us to keep going, to keep dancing together. <3
The Three Musketeers of Thessaloniki catching a lunch break between shoots. ^_^
September 2, 2016 at 01:44 pm
Nona scouting locations with Andreas for our shoot in Thessaloniki with Christy. <3
September 2, 2016 at 01:43 pm
