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Post by reut on Jan 21, 2016 14:28:37 GMT 1
I checked with Anne-Sophie Thilo (Stéphane's Director of Communications) about "Champions!" video. "Regarding the DVD / Video of Champions!, we are still not sure about what will be made. We know that some professional videos have been taken and that the Canadian creation and production team is working on something. But I don't know about the format, the timing etc. I am sorry not to be able to give your more info. Actually, I will contact them to try to have more details." So maybe there is still a chance.
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Post by elanor on Jan 21, 2016 14:48:02 GMT 1
I checked with Anne-Sophie Thilo (Stéphane's Director of Communications) about "Champions!" video. "Regarding the DVD / Video of Champions!, we are still not sure about what will be made. We know that some professional videos have been taken and that the Canadian creation and production team is working on something. But I don't know about the format, the timing etc. I am sorry not to be able to give your more info. Actually, I will contact them to try to have more details." So maybe there is still a chance. Thank you. It would be great to have a video. There was a lot of Stephane and his students and it was like a personal story. And I loved watching skating with the falling snow (a bit blurry but beautiful).
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Post by Gaja on Jan 21, 2016 18:01:19 GMT 1
I checked with Anne-Sophie Thilo (Stéphane's Director of Communications) about "Champions!" video. "Regarding the DVD / Video of Champions!, we are still not sure about what will be made. We know that some professional videos have been taken and that the Canadian creation and production team is working on something. But I don't know about the format, the timing etc. I am sorry not to be able to give your more info. Actually, I will contact them to try to have more details." So maybe there is still a chance. Thanks, reut! Great news!! I would love to have this show recorded on DVD. It would be such a wonderful, tangible memento of that event
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Post by reut on Jan 24, 2016 20:20:45 GMT 1
I have time for some "memoirs" tonight. As an intro I should say that two days in Lausanne exceeded by far my expectations. I was thinking about going to TEB in Bordeaux since I saw what an amazing roster they will have. But I also have this (as it was proved later very useful) habit of trying to add as much cities/events as possible if I already travel to Europe. I couldn't stay for another week and see the show but I checked when they start rehearsals and - lucky me! - discovered that I can come to Lausanne straight after TEB and catch some. As you probably know the competition in Bordeaux was stopped in the middle because of the awful events in Paris. It was pretty hard, in a way, being part of that, on many levels and because of many reasons, including some personal ones. So it was soooo great to know that my trip was not in vain and that I have some more skating waiting for me in Lausanne. To tell the truth I didn't expect there will be SO MUCH skating I will see in the end. I knew Stéphane will skate some program and that his students will have some number too, that's it. In the end the first day (third day of rehearsals overall) Stéphane was around four hours on the ice rehearsing himself and then, after some break, three more hours with his students and some other skaters from local skating schools. And the next day he was also rehearsing something like three hours and in the evening (unfortunately I didn't see that part as I was already heading to the airport) a few more hours with the dancers. He said that initially he was indeed invited to perform some number but in the end his personal story inspired creators of the show to base the story of the show on it and somehow he was involved in all this more and more. The whole show was something like 50 minutes and, I think, more than half of the time he was on the ice, crazy! And the amount of work which went into it was even more crazy. He worked so hard I wasn't sure he'll survive that weekend, really. I mean, I shouldn't be surprised, I know how hard he works and what perfectionist he is, and still each time I just can't believe... Because, you know, it looks so natural, you think he doesn't need any effort, just go on the ice and "do his thing". But every little detail, every single movement is repeated again and again, till absolute perfection. The first day they were rehearsing the part with the cellist and with gymnast. It was also "media" day, so there were a few camera men, journalists and photographers. Funny to see him posing for photographers (sometimes I like such photos more than the final result ) Sometimes he is also curious to see the result. The ice was not the best, although the technical team really, really tried to make it better for Stéphane (I heard one of them talking to him later, explaining the difficulties and saying sorry that the condition of the ice was like that). The weather both those days was amazing for those who love warm weather (meaning for me, I enjoyed so much walking in sunny Lausanne, these were two absolutely atypical for November and absolutely magical days), but it was really bad for the ice. The first day especially, there was a lot of water. But on the other hand, thanks to such ice those who are fans of Stéphane-with-the-shovel (me included!) could have and see now some exclusive photos. The amount of water was indeed disturbing and, probably, also not safe for him to skate on... Some more "shovelling portraits".
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Post by reut on Jan 24, 2016 21:18:21 GMT 1
This show was special and unique in many ways. One of them, that it was on the square, right in the middle of the busy city. It's a very central place, people were passing through all the time; on Wednesday they even had there, right near the stage a flee market! Of course, some people stayed and watched. Some people were just passing there and even didn't know what was going on, they asked me what is this rehearsal about, why is this ice and I tried to explain them in my non-existent French. It was sweet to hear some reactions from people who were just going somewhere minding their own business and then - bam! - they see Stéphane skating in front of them. Many recognized him and it was like: "Look! It's STEPHANE!" Or like an old couple, husband and wife: "Wait it's him... it's... how is his name... - What, you don't recognize!? It's STEPHANE LAMBIEL!" One woman was standing near me and filming with her phone (and gasping from his every movement ), she saw that I had a big camera: "Wow, you came prepared", she said, "And I didn't know!! Such a nice surprise! I looooooove him". Well, me too. Some came especially to see Stéphane and rehearsals of the show and stayed for a long time, even in the very evening, when it was quite cold (I was freezing towards the end of the evening rehearsal). A few approached the stage from time to time, during the pauses, to say to Stéphane something or ask him something. Sometimes he was in a good mood and talked to people around, sometimes he pretended to not notice (indeed, it's impossible to talk with every single person passing on the square). But overall it was super nice and kind of open, lovely atmosphere. (Specifically on the photos below he was talking to someone from the crew, but when he chose to address people around he was also smiley and super sweet, well, like always ) And he was really AT HOME there. Well, he was also literally a few minutes from his home. Must have been special for him. Unlike many of us, to live his passion and to do what he loves he has to travel a lot, he can't do it and come back home every day, and now he could work and not to leave anywhere. For me as a photographer it was also very special to be able to take photos of him at the outdoor rink and with an amazing backdrop of golden leaves as a bonus. Truly one-time opportunity. And, thanks to the wet ice, I could photograph some interesting reflections on the ice. Unfortunately during the afternoon rehearsals the sun was right behind the building of Palais de Rumine, so I almost don't have photos of Stéphane against it as the background.
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Post by Gaja on Jan 25, 2016 0:43:12 GMT 1
Thank you so much, reut!! I knew you will have many interesting details to share It must have been a really special experience to watch Stéphane on his own "backyard". It's unbelievable how much time he spends on the ice preparing for the shows. I know that skating is his passion and love but it means that in days like these he has no time for anything else. I wonder if he even had time to eat. After all it can't be that only skating is a fuel for his body I was thinking about this when I was re-watching videos from Perfumer. How on earth he was able to remember all those movements, gestures and all other details?! Especially taking into consideration that he didn't understand the words... That to me is completely impossible to imagine. It's crazy what an enormous amount of work is behind that beautiful art! I love your story! And your exclusive photos too
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Post by tisha on Jan 25, 2016 1:04:29 GMT 1
Wonderful photos! The reflections in the golden leaves photos are really beautiful but the amount of water on the ice, which shows clearly in those photos, is scary. Thank you, reut, for the gorgeous photos and the interesting commentary. Glad you were able to change plans after the sudden end to TEB and have a good experience in beautiful Lausanne.
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Post by jomeku on Jan 25, 2016 1:55:44 GMT 1
Thank you so much, Reut. Me too, I love your story and the pictures ! And I'm glad you have such useful habits (as to try to add as many cities/events as possible when 'on tour'). It's really almost unimaginable how much time he invested rehearsing, alone and with the children. And besides he certainly had many background duties … as 'it happened' to him that in the end he was involved in the project much more than initially planned. It must have been very special for him to have this event happen at home and it's lovely to read that he was recognized and approached by the people. Reut: I'd like to ask you, if you find the time and feel like, to tell some words about how he was rehearsing with the children? I think it's a difference when he teaches techniques at his school or when he is rehearsing together with them for an event that tells his personal story (I also loved your photos with them from the night rehearsals).
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Post by reut on Jan 25, 2016 10:07:40 GMT 1
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I will write more when I have time. Gaja, don't worry, he had a very good lunch. I was thinking about this when I was re-watching videos from Perfumer. How on earth he was able to remember all those movements, gestures and all other details?! Especially taking into consideration that he didn't understand the words... That to me is completely impossible to imagine. Agree. I can't say I really loved that show (hated lyrics, music and choreo were OK, but I wasn't that impressed), but the way he skated and acted to the words just knocked my socks off, really. I always suspected he understands Russian better than I think he does. Glad you were able to change plans after the sudden end to TEB and have a good experience in beautiful Lausanne. Actually when they cancelled TEB I wanted to change my plans and to come to Lausanne earlier than planned but it was too complicated logistically, also because some people panicked and it was harder to book earlier flight. So in the end I didn't change my plans, but luckily I had Lausanne planned after Bordeaux anyway. jomeku, I will write more about the evening rehearsal, sure.
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Post by Anna on Jan 25, 2016 11:55:25 GMT 1
Thank you, Reut, for the story and the photos! I loved reading and watching
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Post by jomeku on Jan 25, 2016 13:43:42 GMT 1
jomeku, I will write more about the evening rehearsal, sure. !!!
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Post by taipeifollowers on Jan 27, 2016 10:53:44 GMT 1
Your article just like your great photos, thank you for sharing, reut. Honestly, when I saw the rehearsal video, I have a lot of questions, such as why some of his actions like Take me to church? He did not have time to create a new dance? And these actions inconsistent with Bastian Bakerk songs ... but when I saw the complete video (thanks again painomaya), I really, really liked this show, he and song and cello was so touching, of course, all his movements, this is definitely a new and very stunning performances.
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Post by reut on Feb 1, 2016 11:53:42 GMT 1
I feel like I really need to finish my stories, as very soon we'll be getting lots of news from Art on Ice. Soooo... Till now I told you only about the first rehearsal of that day. I didn't expect Stéphane will be so much involved in the show and will have such a long part in the script, so I didn't know that rehearsals will take almost all my time. I had some "tourist things" planned for Lasuanne and as the weather was incredible there was one thing I really didn't want to miss: to go up to Sauvabelin tower and to see Lausanne from there. In winter it is closed around 17, so, to be in time, I left before Stéphane finished his rehearsal. In the bus on my way to Sauvabelin they were broadcasting the promo for "Champions!", quite exciting to suddenly see Stéphane when you ride public transport. As a side note, if you happen to be in Lausanne and the weather is good I really encourage you to go to Sauvabelin park and climb the tower, views from there are breathtaking. I was back at Riponne before 18. At 18 they started rehearsing the first part of the show which tells the story of little Stéphane who sees his idol, Alexei Yagudin, winning Olympic gold and decides that he wants to become champion too. The piece was not very long but they had a lot of children to coordinate in one big choreography. Some parts were performed only by children from the Skating School (first three photos), some scenes had more participants and children from local skating schools from Lausanne joined too (last two photos). It was quite a challenge to combine all this together on a smaller rink of non-standard dimensions, I think Stéphane did a really good job with the choreo.
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Post by reut on Feb 1, 2016 12:30:45 GMT 1
The Skating School students were involved in this number more and they worked really, really hard. Stéphane was very demanding and very strict, they repeated things again and again till everyone was near to perfect. I can't say that I was surprised to see this, also his students are probably used to his approach, but I thought to myself that me personally I doubt I would've "survived" something like that. I doubt I would've liked such picky and "intense" teacher at all! But they are different, and they clearly adore him the way he is. To your question, jomeku, I don't think that portraying his personal story made the difference in his approach to work. More it was the fact that he is a perfectionist and everything he is doing (and all people around him are doing) has to be perfect. I would've expected some difference from what I saw in Champéry maybe because it was "just a show" and they are children and it was a group number, basically anything more or less "Okay" (meaning "not a complete mess") would've accepted by the crowd well anyway. But Stéphane obviously didn't think like me. There were some smiles and lighthearted moments, but only when things started to get better. For example, they also had a part for synchro team from Zurich who were not there, so Stéphane skated their part, pretending to hold hands like they do in their elements, it was quite funny. TV crew filming rehearsals... Rehearsing the last part of that number where "little Stéphane" grows up to be "actual Stéphane": Overall it took more than three hours, so I was impressed by how patient the children were and how they were willing to work even more and even harder when they obviously were already tired.
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Post by jomeku on Feb 1, 2016 14:02:39 GMT 1
WOW to your story and pictures, reut !!! And Wow to Stéphane's way of working. It can be clearly seen how attentively Stéphane observes and corrects the children. According to what you observed, he seems to demand the same determination he had for himself from the children. Tricky. I don't know if all those children have the will and ability to become world champions. But to have the chance to reach to the top, it might be necessary to be strict from the beginning. This reminds me of your talk with Stéphane "You never know enough". There he says: "Of course I want them to achieve the most that they can". But also: "Yes, I set high expectations, but they're realistic. I try to be confident about those goals, so that the student feels this confidence too". I have to re-read the whole talk now . Love the pictures, too, thank you again!! And just to know: The pictures of Stéphane in white shirt and grey training pants you posted on flickr are from rehearsals the next day, I suppose ? ) Lucky and patient you ! (P.S. It's long ago, but I have been living in Lausanne for over a year. I can't believe I've never been to Sauvabelin park. . Next time !)
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