The Canadian arm ...

Shooting in Mini-DV, a discrete camera and a restricted technical team (sound recordist and assistant) lends itself to a more intimate approach giving full freedom to the actors during the improvisations. In order for the camera to penetrate the field of the play acting while decreasing the presence of the cameraman-director which sometimes can be disturbing, I developed a very personal invention which I called my "Canadian arm".

It is a metal arm adorned with springs that helps to prolong the camera. This arm, attached to the cameraman makes it possible to avoid the use of a zoom while promoting close-ups, travelings (with few means) and also angle images and low-angle shots. With this technology, the camera becomes in a certain way, an "actor-witness" making it available to the spontaneous play acting of the actors, their impromptu movements and their momentary energy while respecting their physical and psychological space. The camera takes the shape of a sensitive "pen", inscribing the scenario progressively in front of it.

While becoming an organic prolongation not only of the cameraman-director but of all that it testifies, the camera accentuates the shape of a vivid approach developing distinctive aesthetics.