I met Jacob Potashnik in 1985, while on my first job out of university. It was a film for Expo ’86 called TAMING OF THE DEMONS – a multi-screen affair for the Canadian Pavillion, directed by Emil Radok, a Czech pioneer in the genre, known for developing (with his brother Albert) the Lanterna Magica technique that combined live action with filmed subject matter. I was a Production Assistant, and Jacob, eight years older, was the Second Unit Manager.
Over the years, we developed a close friendship, and, in the 1990s worked closely together on the mtl-ART short films (see below on this blog,) as well as a couple of screenplays. We recently made another short film together (IN THE COOLER)
Our friendship has survived working so closely together. Back in those days, before Sid Lee, Cirque du Soleil, events, books, and the whole international trip started, it was often just down to him and me.
Recent years have seen us mostly doing our own thing. However, as coincidence would have it, we were both hired to work on a new project for Ajax, Amsterdam’s celebrated football (soccer for Americans) club. With Sid Lee Architecture and GSM of Montreal, I helped to create the “Ajax Experience,” a museum-like experience intended for fans of the team (think a more modern, Dutch NHL Hall of Fame.) Later, Jacob was asked to Line Produce the video content for the museum. And I was asked to direct it.
We have just completed the first phase of the Amsterdam shoot, reunited on a project not onlike TAMING OF THE DEMONS – interactive and educational film work for screens of various sizes, intended for a permanent installation. I wonder what Mister Radok, whom I admired so much, would have thought?
So, here are a few pictures from the gig, still in progress. There is a picture of me standing in front of where the Ajax Experience will be located, in a building opposite Rembrandtplein (“Square.”) Don’t judge the square by the drunken tourists who gather there at night! There’s a picture of Jacob inside the Experience, still under construction, but not such a long way from completion. And there is a shot of our shoot, some of it studio against green screen, with a great and welcoming Dutch crew. Last but not least, you can see some stills from our exterior shoot at The Tokomst (“To Come”) a training area for young and promising footballers. Our subjects that day were 9 or 10, incredible players who smoked every adult who dared to step on the field with them - young Amsterdam hopefuls who stood up to being interviewed on camera like old pros.
I liked Amsterdam a lot, its canals and low-rise beauty. As an urban cyclist since the 1970s, I am totally in awe at how bicycle transportation is integrated into the city. Coming full circle couldn’t have happened in a nicer place.
Onward!
