I am going to Brazil.
Yes, the land of "bunda" (Brazilian term for the fabulous fanny).
Hate me, envy me, but know this. I am going for 3 nights, the travel time will be around 15 hours EACH WAY, and by some miracle we need to roll off of our flight to Rio and start filming. In other words, I doubt I'll be lying on the beach or swimming at any point during this trip. Which is a travesty. But I have to keep reminding myself, I'm not on vacation, I'm working. Even in BRAZIL.
It's our last chance to catch any part of Carnival, which many consider to be the greatest show on earth and one of the experiences one must have before they die. That alone is reason enough to suffer through a bit of exhaustion and sweat.... Remember, it's minus 20 celsius here in Toronto. It's 35 celsius in Rio....
I am so grateful to my producers and coworkers who helped to pull this shoot together... I will go into more detail at some point of the AMOUNT OF WORK it took to make this trip happen -- including pulling no less than a small miracle getting a country on vacation to issue us travel VISAs... but for now, I've gotta get myself ready.
Will fill you in soon.... It's going to be like the most vivid dream I've ever had. I will wake up in 3 days and wonder if it really happend because it will already be over.
I just hope i don't get sick, hurt, heat-exhausted, robbed..... (just how does one quiet an inner-worrywart voice as strong as mine?)
Tatyana
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Dreaming of Rio....
I've been hard at work filming this documentary since November! And in the back of my mind, I always imagined ending my journey and wrapping in Brazil.
After all, Brazil is the land of naturally bronzed skin, tropical passion, samba, Brazilian bikinis, and healthy booty the likes of which you cannot find elsewhere in the world -- as in fit women with ample tushies... (yes, I've researched the subject thoroughly!) I've also been mesmerized by pictures and stories I've heard of Rio, Ipanema, and, of course, the greatest event in the world, Carnaval!
But, as we all know, TV production money is not limitless. And though I've been so lucky to have a pretty fair budget with which to make this film, a bit of cash has also fed my insatiable imagination. If you've been tagging along, you know that there have been many North American destinations.... when you add a traveling crew, equipment (and the considerable 'excess baggage fees')...incidentals... well, cash goes quickly. So South America always seemed very much out of reach.
And yet, I hoped... and daydreamed.
Fortunately, I happen to have the most fabulous producers on Earth, and in exchange for my first-born (jk!), I was told a few weeks ago that we could make a short shoot in Brazil possible. Which brings me back to October, when I was in research phase on this film. My researcher had pulled out the dates for Carnival 2007 in Rio and I had naively said: "Oh, we'll be long wrapped production by then!" Well it was now the 2nd week in February and we were suddenly under the gun to try to pull all of the logistics together in a couple of weeks! We definitely couldn't afford the heavily inflated prices of travelling in the heart of the Carnival week (Feb 25).... but we could definitely afford to catch the tail end of the festivities.... if only we could get our act together quick enough.
The challenges that lay ahead:
- neither my Production Manager nor I had never planned a shoot in South America (transcontinental travel logistics)
- neither of us spoke Portuguese.... which really does come in handy as English is very uncommon in Brazil
- I was away on an important shoot in Vegas a week before we were trying to head to Brazil, making it hard for me to focus on anything else
- Brazil was on VACATION! Now, I've always understood how some countries have major holidays (usually with religious or nationalistic roots)... but I never expected for a city like Rio to be SHUT DOWN for a couple of days of parading. Naive, indeed! Shut down were the offices of ANCINE, the film division of the government, who basically were the missing link in our Temporary Visa application process...
- and of course, add to all of this the little subtleties of working with an entirely different culture with different work ethics and approaches. We had connected indirectly with a "fixer" (a documentary term for a field producer in a foreign country) and she was lovely on the phone, but clearly had her way of doing things and was trying very hard to communicate to us just what sort of society we were coming into. And just how DO you convey something like that on the phone?
And then there was the pressure. The pressure to build a shoot that would deliver footage that would greatly surpass what we were spending on the trip! Having never been to Brazil, all I could do was imagine the settings, how things would play out.... It was enough to cause many sleepless nights. Of course, the film was not ABOUT Brazil, so we couldnt justify spending a week or more there. But was I ready to make such a major trip for just a couple of days? Those were the options. I'd travelled to Europe, North America... but never South America. And quite frankly, I was nervous. There are always horror stories of tourists getting robbed all over the world, but when you have LOCALS who immediately tell you to be "very careful" in Rio, it's enough to feel unsettled. I always try to be inconspicuous, but I don't always succeed....
You've certainly stepped into the mind of a gal seriously torn.... but this is BRAZIL we are talking about!
My imagination wins out, this time....
After all, Brazil is the land of naturally bronzed skin, tropical passion, samba, Brazilian bikinis, and healthy booty the likes of which you cannot find elsewhere in the world -- as in fit women with ample tushies... (yes, I've researched the subject thoroughly!) I've also been mesmerized by pictures and stories I've heard of Rio, Ipanema, and, of course, the greatest event in the world, Carnaval!
But, as we all know, TV production money is not limitless. And though I've been so lucky to have a pretty fair budget with which to make this film, a bit of cash has also fed my insatiable imagination. If you've been tagging along, you know that there have been many North American destinations.... when you add a traveling crew, equipment (and the considerable 'excess baggage fees')...incidentals... well, cash goes quickly. So South America always seemed very much out of reach.
And yet, I hoped... and daydreamed.
Fortunately, I happen to have the most fabulous producers on Earth, and in exchange for my first-born (jk!), I was told a few weeks ago that we could make a short shoot in Brazil possible. Which brings me back to October, when I was in research phase on this film. My researcher had pulled out the dates for Carnival 2007 in Rio and I had naively said: "Oh, we'll be long wrapped production by then!" Well it was now the 2nd week in February and we were suddenly under the gun to try to pull all of the logistics together in a couple of weeks! We definitely couldn't afford the heavily inflated prices of travelling in the heart of the Carnival week (Feb 25).... but we could definitely afford to catch the tail end of the festivities.... if only we could get our act together quick enough.
The challenges that lay ahead:
- neither my Production Manager nor I had never planned a shoot in South America (transcontinental travel logistics)
- neither of us spoke Portuguese.... which really does come in handy as English is very uncommon in Brazil
- I was away on an important shoot in Vegas a week before we were trying to head to Brazil, making it hard for me to focus on anything else
- Brazil was on VACATION! Now, I've always understood how some countries have major holidays (usually with religious or nationalistic roots)... but I never expected for a city like Rio to be SHUT DOWN for a couple of days of parading. Naive, indeed! Shut down were the offices of ANCINE, the film division of the government, who basically were the missing link in our Temporary Visa application process...
- and of course, add to all of this the little subtleties of working with an entirely different culture with different work ethics and approaches. We had connected indirectly with a "fixer" (a documentary term for a field producer in a foreign country) and she was lovely on the phone, but clearly had her way of doing things and was trying very hard to communicate to us just what sort of society we were coming into. And just how DO you convey something like that on the phone?
And then there was the pressure. The pressure to build a shoot that would deliver footage that would greatly surpass what we were spending on the trip! Having never been to Brazil, all I could do was imagine the settings, how things would play out.... It was enough to cause many sleepless nights. Of course, the film was not ABOUT Brazil, so we couldnt justify spending a week or more there. But was I ready to make such a major trip for just a couple of days? Those were the options. I'd travelled to Europe, North America... but never South America. And quite frankly, I was nervous. There are always horror stories of tourists getting robbed all over the world, but when you have LOCALS who immediately tell you to be "very careful" in Rio, it's enough to feel unsettled. I always try to be inconspicuous, but I don't always succeed....
You've certainly stepped into the mind of a gal seriously torn.... but this is BRAZIL we are talking about!
My imagination wins out, this time....
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Far from a Sinner in Sin City
Disclaimer: If you're expecting a tale of debauchery that normally describes a trip to Vegas, you'll be greatly disappointed. I've been to Vegas a total of 2 times now -- and both times for business! Only in Tatyana's life does the Sin City become Sin-less.
(ah, another booty-worshipping city!)
(running-on-adrenaline-only Tatyana)
Twice annually, fashion designers and fashion brands descend upon Vegas for the annual MAGIC trade show. It's basically one of the biggest buyer/sellers market for the retail industry in the world. And with the amount of celebrities afflilated with fashion these days, the show can turn into a minor star-studded affair.
The last time I was in Vegas was for a research trip, to meet jeans designers catering to the ever-wonderful fuller booty. Not full-figured, just fuller booty-ed. While there are larger brands like Apple Bottoms and Baby Phat were in attendance, I was pleasantly surprised to uncover a hidden gem -- PZI Denim. An African-American husband-and-wife team from Atlanta. Before PZI, to my knowledge, only "urban" brands were designing bootylicious denim. For a gal not interested in brand heavy, "junior" designs, the search for denim has always been a crapshoot. In fact, I'd reached a point where I wasn't wearing denim all that much.
PZI jeans are cut with a more mature, classier woman in mind. But they are still trendy and flattering!
Ok, enough backstory. If you want to read more about them, you can stroll back through the archives.
I won't give you details as to why I was in Vegas specifically, but let's just say it was to finish up my "journey" with this jeans company. In between filming, we wandered about the tradeshow, checking out some booty and scoping out celebrities.
I met the infamous owner of the Girls Gone Wild brand, Joe Francis.... spotted Flavor Flav, which is always pretty funny. He was there with his MOM!
(Flav and entourage at the Baby Phat booth)
Also, Gene Simmons was making an appearance, so after a bit of coaxing from my crew, I approached his Publicist about my project and asked if Gene would comment on booty for us on camera. His publicist explained that this wouldnt be possible based on all of the legalities of Gene representing his many brands.... but that he did want to meet me. I didn't know what to do. I am probably one of a small handful of people who didn't even really know who KISS was until a couple of years ago... I've lived a sheltered existense. So what was I going to say? I was hardly his biggest fan. So I came over, and before I could say anything, Gene grabbed my hand, spun me around and began to waltz with me, in front of everyone!! As we danced, he asked me about my project, commended me on it and asked me if my own booty was going to be featured. When I admitted that it was, he seemed very satisfied! It was such a blur.... I rememeber people snapping pictures and me shaking Gene's hand, and then that was that. Sadly, I have no evidence to prove this all happened. But my crew will attest to it!
I have to thank Hugh, Gene's Publicist, and a fellow friendly Canuck, for making this little meet-and-greet possible!
We finished up filming with PZI, who were gearing up for a busy week.... I am not sure when I will see these amazing folks again, but I am behind them every step of the way.... and my booty is too!
(Daniel & Claire Jason and me!)
I have to thank Hugh, Gene's Publicist, and a fellow friendly Canuck, for making this little meet-and-greet possible!
We finished up filming with PZI, who were gearing up for a busy week.... I am not sure when I will see these amazing folks again, but I am behind them every step of the way.... and my booty is too!
(Daniel & Claire Jason and me!)
(The Crazy Girls Revue Monument -- with the famous tagline "No Ifs, Ands or Butts about it!")
So when we finally wrapped after an intensely long day, we had a bit of time to chill out. I blew 60$ on slots (I'm sticking to Niagara Falls' Fallsview Casino from now on -- the slots there like to WIN me money)... Then of course we had to eat. 
(crew shot - I work with the best people!)
It's always such a gamble picking a spot for one good meal with limited time in a foreign city. We treated ourselves to a well-deserved meal at SENSI, in the Paris Hotel. Great great great food! It started out with some seafood appetizers and then I had the most amazing scallops and eggplant ravioli main..... mmmmmm... then the waiter brought us a nice little boite of tiny yummy cookies which we nibbled on... a good end to a dinner and a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth when you don't have any actual room left in your belly.
Apparently we were in Vegas a couple of days before the biggest weekend in the history of the city -- with all of the fashion designers in town AND the NBA all-star game AND Chinese New Year! Madness in Vegas.... and probably nowhere to party, with the celebs buying out all of the hottest clubs for their own private parties this weekend.
(the paradise everyone ELSE at the Flamingo hotel seemed to have time to enjoy.. we were just passing through)
I've become quite a master at North American airports, but even so, I'm still learning....
Things I learned on this particular trip:
- do not book connecting flights through Denver in the winter (the delays were beyond insane.)
In fact, after a sweaty dash through the airport, we did make our 7PM connection to Vegas... but our bags didn't. Which meant we had to stay up until they came in on a later flight and were delivered...which in our case ended up being 3AM! I actually did fall asleep, fully clothed on the hotel bed for a little catnap while waiting. I woke up with my contacts severely glued to my dry eyeballs.... nice, huh? Then I drifted off to sleep for another 4 hours before we had to start our day. If anyone thinks I'm disgustingly lucky because of all the travelling I get to do, they should consider how ridiculous our travel/shoot schedules are....
(crew shot - I work with the best people!)
It's always such a gamble picking a spot for one good meal with limited time in a foreign city. We treated ourselves to a well-deserved meal at SENSI, in the Paris Hotel. Great great great food! It started out with some seafood appetizers and then I had the most amazing scallops and eggplant ravioli main..... mmmmmm... then the waiter brought us a nice little boite of tiny yummy cookies which we nibbled on... a good end to a dinner and a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth when you don't have any actual room left in your belly.
Apparently we were in Vegas a couple of days before the biggest weekend in the history of the city -- with all of the fashion designers in town AND the NBA all-star game AND Chinese New Year! Madness in Vegas.... and probably nowhere to party, with the celebs buying out all of the hottest clubs for their own private parties this weekend.
(the paradise everyone ELSE at the Flamingo hotel seemed to have time to enjoy.. we were just passing through)
The Flamingo hotel itself is an aging building. We booked the budget rooms and definitely got what we payed for. The newer rooms are apparently state of the art. These were so unimpressive that I didn't even take my obligatory snapshot of them. But hey, it was a fairly clean bed in a quiet room.... it did the job. And we were barely in it.
LATEST "THINGS I'VE LEARNED" LIST:
I've become quite a master at North American airports, but even so, I'm still learning....
Things I learned on this particular trip:
- do not book connecting flights through Denver in the winter (the delays were beyond insane.)
In fact, after a sweaty dash through the airport, we did make our 7PM connection to Vegas... but our bags didn't. Which meant we had to stay up until they came in on a later flight and were delivered...which in our case ended up being 3AM! I actually did fall asleep, fully clothed on the hotel bed for a little catnap while waiting. I woke up with my contacts severely glued to my dry eyeballs.... nice, huh? Then I drifted off to sleep for another 4 hours before we had to start our day. If anyone thinks I'm disgustingly lucky because of all the travelling I get to do, they should consider how ridiculous our travel/shoot schedules are....
- consider taking a shuttle to your Vegas hotel
Anyone else experience the taxi lines? We're talking several hundred people long. Even at 9PM at nite! I wanted to take a picture but with people probably feeling as grumpy as they looked, it probably would have been a bad move.
-check into your flight early
This one wasn't really our fault --this time. But in our mad dash to make the Vegas connecting flight, we ended up being the last to board a full flight. The only spot left was a middle seat between a nice old man who smelled funny and a severely overweight man who looked uncomfortably crammed into his seat. NOT on my list of best flights, that's for sure.
- even if you are trying to be extremely efficient and packing light, ALWAYS bring comfy shoes.
Ok, so this isn't a point that anyone other than myself should take note of. I had a temporary lapse of judgement here because I generally travel in runners. But because we were only going to be in Vegas for one full day, I opted for my "small" suitcase. The other bag I own is one that I've taken on month long vacations. This meant I could pack only one pair of shoots and wear one. So, I put one pair of heels for going out (wishful thinking!) into my suitcase and wore a pair of high heeled boots for the rest. I really think I would have been fine, but after 3 days straight on my feet in the boots, my feet gave up. It was around the point where we stood in the airport check in line for a good 45 minutes on the way back to Toronto. Flights were delayed AGAIN because of Denver. And my feet just gave up. I'm a fighter and I've endured long periods of time in painful shoes but this experience was like no other. I was probably the only person over age 3 that trekked through the airport from that point forward in my socks.
(my poor, poor feet!)
(the offending footwear -- why do they have to be so cute!?!)
Anyone else experience the taxi lines? We're talking several hundred people long. Even at 9PM at nite! I wanted to take a picture but with people probably feeling as grumpy as they looked, it probably would have been a bad move.
-check into your flight early
This one wasn't really our fault --this time. But in our mad dash to make the Vegas connecting flight, we ended up being the last to board a full flight. The only spot left was a middle seat between a nice old man who smelled funny and a severely overweight man who looked uncomfortably crammed into his seat. NOT on my list of best flights, that's for sure.
- even if you are trying to be extremely efficient and packing light, ALWAYS bring comfy shoes.
Ok, so this isn't a point that anyone other than myself should take note of. I had a temporary lapse of judgement here because I generally travel in runners. But because we were only going to be in Vegas for one full day, I opted for my "small" suitcase. The other bag I own is one that I've taken on month long vacations. This meant I could pack only one pair of shoots and wear one. So, I put one pair of heels for going out (wishful thinking!) into my suitcase and wore a pair of high heeled boots for the rest. I really think I would have been fine, but after 3 days straight on my feet in the boots, my feet gave up. It was around the point where we stood in the airport check in line for a good 45 minutes on the way back to Toronto. Flights were delayed AGAIN because of Denver. And my feet just gave up. I'm a fighter and I've endured long periods of time in painful shoes but this experience was like no other. I was probably the only person over age 3 that trekked through the airport from that point forward in my socks.
(my poor, poor feet!)
(the offending footwear -- why do they have to be so cute!?!)
Wow, long post! I'm finally seeing the light at the end of all of this filming... only a few more shoots to go....
Tatyana
Friday, February 16, 2007
Accept my apologies!
Sorry sorry sorry!!!
Too long between updates...
I just returned from a 3 day whirlwind trip to Vegas and I can honestly say that for the first time since we started filming back in November, I am completed exhausted. And no, I can't blame the fatigue on all of the sinning I did in Sin City, because work took up any free time I had!
I will update with details today, for sure!
Alive and barely kicking,
Tatyana
Too long between updates...
I just returned from a 3 day whirlwind trip to Vegas and I can honestly say that for the first time since we started filming back in November, I am completed exhausted. And no, I can't blame the fatigue on all of the sinning I did in Sin City, because work took up any free time I had!
I will update with details today, for sure!
Alive and barely kicking,
Tatyana
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