(L to R) Curtis Popplewell, Stanton Kewley, Walt Lovelace, Wendell Manwarren, Roger Roberts in front of cut+clear productions HQ, Woodbrook, Trinidad
On episode #2 of the cut+clear carnival podcast 3canal and I chat with Curtis “C*POP” Popplewell and Walt Lovelace, the men behind the Beach House Carnival fête and some of the country’s most original music video work.
Tune in to hear Curtis and Walt hold forth on why they prefer not to be referred to as fête promoters and the state of music video production in the country.
This week’s 3canal track: “Joy+Fire”, from the album of the same name.
LINKS
Niceness Bless! Love it, keep it coming.
wendell hits the nail on the head as always…
walt still does uniquely trini and its sad that the MTV look is in…
Ras Kassa (Jamaican) in Marsha Pearce’s Wrestling with Angels encapsulates some of my feelings… we need to be true to ourselves…
this episode evokes a question… how/where do we learn to become better producers in TrinBago?
That is a good question, San. But Walt would also tell you that, in spite of some training at CARIMAC in Jamaica and an “apprenticeship” of sorts at Banyan, he’s largely self-taught. He just worked really hard at his craft, and as a child was very much into still photography, which helped him learn about composition, lighting etc.
The tendency of many beginner videographers is to move the camera around. A grounding in still photography is a real asset to a filmmaker.
thanks for the series…
And Bless Caribbean Free Radio for bringing these thought provoking conversations to the virtual Globe -
it was very nice lookin foward 4 d juice 2 start runin down my chin next monday LUV U ALL.
my ear,s was all glued 2 my computer 4 all d juicey words,please let,s hear about the old time carnival. jab jab, and all that old stuff.
As I’ve been listening to and reading CFR over the past few years there is always a sense of disappointment and nostalgia around carnival time. It seems like it just gets more commercial and less about-the-people every year. I’m glad that Curtis and Walt are hosting an event outside of the official itinerary – are any other groups doing the same?
Another comment on episode 2 – from someone who doesn’t know the production scene well in Trinidad (or anywhere else really) I’d like to know what the younger producers have to say in response to some of the criticisms mentioned on this podcast. There is always a generational divide between artists and producers and I’m wondering if this is simply a matter of older and younger producers not agreeing on the subjective definition of quality or if production values really have gone down over the past decade. It would be great if you could invite some young video producers on for a future episode. (It would also be cool to hear from some of the “promoters” of official fete parties to get their thoughts on the commercialization of carnival.
Finally, foreign listeners demand a video of daggering. I would also like someone to buy me this shirt.
Oso – one of the aspects I enjoy most about podcasting is that I feel no compulsion whatsoever to be “fair and balanced”. Let the young filmmakers and “promoters” do their own podcasts! Or better yet, they can leave a comment here.
Try doing a search for “daggerin” on YouTube and see what you come up with.
The t-shirt is in the mail.
That’s very true. But a little reaching out never hurts …
Os – I’m barely keeping up with these shows as it is. And it’s not like either the young directors and promoters–both of whom represent the status quo around here–are suffering because of this show, or lacking spaces where their voices can be heard (check out http://trinijunglejuice.com/ and http://www.triniscene.com/).
Cut us old folks some slack and let us bitch in peace!
Ha, fair enough. Thanks for the links though. They seem to be taking some serious design inspiration from MySpace.
Regarding daggering, I have to give it to Trinis for coming up with largest national lexicon for dry humping, but the Peruvians might win the award for best costumes while dry humping.
I hope C*POP and Walt consider inviting the Peluches Perreo to Beach House.
Os – Unfortunately we can’t take credit for daggering–it’s a Jamaican term. See what Annie has to say about it at http://anniepaulactivevoice.blogspot.com/2009/01/kingston-logic.html. Also a little concerned about your fixation on it, especially considering that it was mentioned way back in episode #1!
Not sure what to say about the Peluches. If they show up at Beach House I’ll be fleeing in the opposite direction.