Name: Arnaud Le Borgne
Age: 31
Star sign: Cancer.
Home town: Baden, Brittany (Western France)
Current base: Kathmandu, Nepal
Occupation: Independent cameraman and
filmmaker.
Current assignments:
I’ve just finished shooting two
communication films (one short
format, one documentary)
for the FAO (Food and
Agriculture Organization of
United Nations). Previously,
I worked also as a filmmaker
for the Planet Nepal’s festival,
organized by CulturesFrance,
the French Embassy of Nepal
and the Alliance Française of
Kathmandu.
Have you been busy?
The last few months, I was very
busy but right now I’m free. So I
have to find another contract.
Where have you shot?
In Nepal, I shot in Kathmandu,
Teraï (South of Nepal), Pokhara,
Annapurnas mountains and
Langtang. Previously, I worked
several years in France. I shot
also in Tadjikistan and India.
Have you traveled much in
Nepal? What are the people,
the society, the landscape
like?
Yes. I have travelled in different
places in Nepal where you can
see many diversities of ethnicity
and landscapes. It’s pretty easy
to shoot in Nepal. The Nepalese
are very kind. Of course, the
main problems are the poverty
and the political instability. The
religions are predominant.
When we come with a
camcorder, the Nepalese
are often surprised by such
professional equipment and
they wonder what we are
doing. Most of those living in
isolated areas have never seen
a camcorder. So there’s a lot
of curiosity and they ask some
questions, but always with a
smile and approbation. There
isn’t animosity. When we want to
interview them, they are often
happy and proud.
In terms of ethnic diversity, the
situation is complex depending
on where one is. The most
important are the Newars, Tarus, Tamangs and Tibetans. They
all live in harmony, no matter
whether they are Hindus or
Buddhist.
The landscapes have great
contrasts for a small country.
It goes from the highest
mountains in the world to the
Teraï where there is the jungle
and flat land.
What types of productions
have you mostly shot? What
is your favourite type of
production?
I’ve shot communication,
corporate, events (festivals,
concerts, music TV channel)
and documentaries. I prefer
documentary production
because we go much deeper
into the people’s culture and
their lives. We create a story
with them and their reality.
But, actually, I shoot more
communication films than
documentaries.
What was your first shooting
job?
It was for a concert. I worked as
a live cameraman. At the same
time, I was VJ (video DJ).
Boring shoots?
I’ve had several boring contracts,
especially one time in Paris with
low budget filmmakers who
wanted to shoot famous Parisian
designers. On each shooting day
I had to take the subway with
all my equipment (camcorder,
tripod, mics, lights, etc – around
30 kg) and alone, during the
peak hour because the money-conscious
director didn’t want
to pay for a taxi (not enough
budget, he told me!).
I got the same treatment
during several entertainment assignments for TF1, the most
famous channel in France.
Strange, isn’t it? So working in
Paris were my worst experiences
in term of relationship with
producers and filmmakers;
superficial and annoying! But
interesting and a good lesson for
future reference.
Hairiest/scariest assignments?
Not hairy/scary but I remember
two very tricky shoots. The first
was in Tadjikistan, where it is
sometimes very difficult to shoot,
especially near the Afghan and
Chinese borders (Xinjiang). The
military are everywhere and
the tensions are often palpable.
Several times we had some
problems with the authorities.
The second one was during
a shoot in the Annapurnas
mountains, in Nepal. I had to
shoot a famous climber on
his way to the Annapurna
summit (around 8,200m), from
a helicopter at 7,000m altitude,
window open with an oxygen
mask. A great experience!
How much 16:9 do you shoot?
A lot of 16:9. For the last year,
always in HDV. In Paris, more
than a year ago, a lot of channel
productions were in 4:3. With my
camcorder HVR S 270, I record
right now in HDV 1080i on tape
and DV 16:9 on the memory unit.
What country would you most
like to shoot in?
Difficult to say. I’d like to go
back in Afghanistan for a shoot.
Otherwise, Turkmenistan, when
that will be possible.
Most recent, interesting
assignments?
The most interesting assignment
was for the FAO. I worked with
a Nepalese team and it was
great! Otherwise, I shot the
Shortest Man in the World for the
Guinness book of Records. It was
very funny to see the smallest
man in front of the
highest mountains in
the world.
Current equipment
you use?
Sony HVR-S270 camcorder,
Sennheiser
set with a Tram TR 50
lapel mic, Sennheiser
MKH 416, Audio
Technica 897, pro IDX
batteries, and 800W
solars. For editing,
I use Avid Media
Composer, and
After Effects, etc.
Other gear you have access to?
In Nepal, I use only my own
equipment but we can hire
Betacam, DSR 500, Z1, EX-1.
Equipment “wish list”?
I’d like to use HDCAMs – Panasonic P2 and Red One. For
my personal equipment I’d like
the Panasonic AG-HPX 371 or the
AG-HPX 500, with Sennheiser
MKH 70mike and Sony HVR
1500A recorder.
Best thing about your job?
The freedom, the choice, the
travelling and meeting people all
over the world.
Worst thing about your job?
The insecurity of the job. Having
to canvass the whole year to find
a new contract or a new subject.
What’s your taste in music?
I love music; especially
underground techno, jazz, rock
and the different ethnic musics in
the world. But my favourite music
remains the hard techno “tribe”
from travellers’ sound systems.
Favourite group?
The Doors and recently Gossip.
Favourite food?
Definitely French food and I have
a great love of Asian food.
Contact details:
T: +977 9808965682 (Nepal)
and +33 297571987 (France)
E: info@piktodiffusion.com
W: www.piktodiffusion.com -- from TV Technology Asia/Pacific