Artist profile - Raymond Clarisse: “There needs to be a backbone to your ideas” |16 March 2017

Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of arts.

In our tenth profile, readers will learn more about the talented singer, producer, and TV presenter Raymond Clarisse.

He recently became a rare islander to earn a Master of Arts in Film and Media production, graduating with honors from New York Film Academy in Los Angeles.

Q: How did your career start – from singer to TV producer & presenter?

A: It's a weird journey in a way. In fact I was selected as a child to sing on the TV show Zig Zag broadcast on Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) when I was in primary 6 at Mont Fleuri school. Since my home is also at Hermitage, it also meant I was often called to do voice overs by the producers of the show whenever they would need someone to do it. So I was often in the corridor of SBC since I was a child. Eventually after my A-levels, I was sure that I would study drama. But I saw this tailored all in one course at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in the UK, where you could also study television and film. So I went for a fixed term contract at SBC TV from February 2001. I studied for three years and when I came back I have been with SBC ever since.

Q: When inspiration is waning, when you feel creativity is sapping, how do you stay fresh?

 A:  It's another difficult question to answer. Usually just take a break and do not force it because otherwise you will do it only because you have to. I have learned over the years to store my creative ideas. Ideas come to you all the time. Don't throw them away, keep them safe, revisit them and there will come that time when you will make use of those ideas. I guess this is how I keep myself inspired. I store.

Q: Why do you think there are so few women in filmmaking?

A:  I don't think there are few women filmmakers. It's just like in many other fields sometimes women are not given the same opportunities as men to be at the forefront. I can say that because when I was in L.A for instance, more than half of my peers in the filmmaking department were women and there were some brilliant filmmakers. But historically I can also say that filmmaking tended to be with big equipment and quite bulky. So it was mostly male dominated and women tended to be in front of the cameras. But that has changed significantly.

Q:  What’s harder: getting started or being able to keep going?

A:  I guess in the professional world, given the high level of competition, it is hard to be given an opportunity to be in that industry. Here I would say it's quite easier, but the professional know-how is what we need. But it is true that you need a lot of self-determination and motivation to keep going.

Q: What is your philosophy in life that influences your creative work?                                            

A: Purpose. There needs to be a backbone to your ideas; you need to answer all the questions of Why? How? When? Where? Otherwise there is no purpose to it.

Q:  What are your favourite movie and biggest influence?

A: To this day I still can't tell you my favourite movie because I’ve watched so many films and a lot of them have impacted on me differently. However since I am an ardent music fan, music films like AMADEUS, Ray and a few others tend to capture my attention.

Q: What do you look for when scouting for a project?

A: Definitely creative freedom. I need to know that I have a good crew, good vibes, talented people and I can assure myself that regardless of all the stress at the end of the day, I can be proud of what we did.

Q: What is the toughest thing about getting a project done?

A: The hurdles along the way. They are always there. It can be time, deadlines, uncooperative people and unrealistic expectations, budget, weather; but the toughest thing is to stay on track; you need to be able to raise above all those challenges and get it done.

Q: What is the best thing that ever happened to you while shooting?  

A: When it turns out exactly like you envisioned it. The performance is right and the camera caught it perfectly. It's amazing. This applies to any creative piece of work you do. It could be when my choir sings something and you feel it sounds right or when you are directing. It's amazing.

Q: What ingredient do you think makes you special and unique?  

A: I really don't know if I am special. I'd like to think so. But I think everyone is unique in their own way. But if I really need to answer this question, I would say I have been told that I am polyvalent; I can write, but when I need to I can direct. I sometimes, or should I say most of the time, write my own soundtrack. So I can fend for myself quite a lot which makes it easier to achieve my goals. I mean creatively. But I still need a lot of people around to make it happen.

Q: What advice can you give to people wanting to venture into such industry?

A: Go for it. It's a very interesting and dynamic industry. It's tough.  A lot of blood, sweat and tears but definitely worth the results.

Compiled by U.J.