A Nostalgic Journey Through Lens and Music: My Experience with Adelaide Fringe’s 10 x 10
Hepé Mateh
As the Adelaide Fringe Festival rolls around, I find myself amidst a whirlwind of creativity, nostalgia, and collaboration. A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d be part of the esteemed 10 x 10 project, but here I am, an international student turned filmmaker at one of Australia’s most vibrant art events.
My journey to Adelaide Fringe was serendipitous. After joining the 10 x 10 last year, I recently discovered I was selected. As someone on a student visa, this opportunity isn’t just an artistic endeavor; it’s a chance to make my mark in a new land.
Before the first meeting of filmmakers and musicians, I had the pleasure of connecting with the band Hepé Mateh. They reached out after being impressed with my portfolio – a gesture that meant the world to me, especially since I was prepared to leave it to fate with the usual draw of names. Their initiative and the fact that I’m a fan of their spacey, funky rock tunes made this collaboration feel like destiny.
Me and the band meeting for the first time
The project timeline was tight – we had about eight days to shoot, and our filming only materialized last Tuesday. But fueled by adrenaline and passion, I edited a complete first draft on the same day. After incorporating valuable feedback from the band and my wife, whose creative insights are always golden, I submitted the final piece yesterday.
This project marks my return to shooting after focusing on VFX and post-production since 2018 with my company, Playground Inc., in Manila. To say I was anxious about getting behind the camera again is an understatement. But, I decided to embrace this challenge with a touch of nostalgia.
I borrowed an old MiniDV camera from Andrei Gostin at UniSA Magill Campus. This choice was intentional – a nod to my early days in filmmaking and a perfect match for Hepé Mateh’s analog vibe. The band, led by the charismatic Jess Foenander, immediately connected with the concept. His zeal for blending the old with the new and the vibrant energy of his bandmates, Lara and Luke, brought an incredible dynamic to the music video.
This project has been a journey of rediscovery for me, a bridge between my past and present. As I share the music video here, it’s not just a showcase of Hepé Mateh’s talent or my filmmaking skills. It’s a testament to the magic that happens when diverse worlds of art collide.
As I reflect on this experience, I realize how this collaboration at the Adelaide Fringe Festival has rekindled my love for filmmaking. It’s a reminder that sometimes, stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to the most extraordinary creative adventures.
