WICE presents its Up Close and Personal series to give you an insider view of the fascinating members and staff who make up this remarkable association. This week's focus is on Alastair Arthur, WICE's coordinator for its Film courses and events.
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| Alastair Arthur www.alastairarthur.com |
Why did you move to Paris and what
do you do here?
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| photo by Alastair Arthur |
My
wife was initially on a short-term assignment in Paris while I continued to
live and work in England. When her company wanted to extend her assignment
significantly we decided to accept and move to Paris long-term. It seemed too
good an opportunity to turn down!
I run my own photography business www.alastairarthur.com,
offering portrait sessions for families, couples and individuals in Paris and
the UK. I also coordinate the film courses for WICE as part of the Visual Arts
team, and I'm a trustee with Unseen, an amazing anti-human-trafficking charity
that started in my hometown of Bristol.
How did you find out about WICE and why did you join?
I
came across WICE online whilst searching to see what training was available in
Paris for an Anglophone. The prices seemed good and I joined initially to
attend one of the photography courses. I then started volunteering with WICE in
the Visual Arts department last summer.
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| photo by Alastair Arthur |
Which WICE courses have you taken?
I've
taken photography courses with all three of the current instructors and each has
been excellent. No matter how much you think you know there is always more to
learn and the WICE courses offer a lot of variety. The instructors each have
their own styles and specific skills sets so you can focus on the area you want
to improve. I've also been on an arranged visit to Studio Harcourt courtesy of
WICE, and occasionally attempt to improve my terrible French at the free
French-English conversation groups.
What have you enjoyed the most in
your experiences with WICE?
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| photo by Alastair Arthur |
Whilst
the instruction has been excellent, for me it's the social aspect that has been
most enjoyable. I've made new contacts and friends, and keep in touch with a
number of people that I met through WICE partly through attending courses and
partly through volunteering.
In the courses themselves, I love the friendly, informal
atmosphere. There are no stressful demands or expectations, and everyone can
progress at their own pace. Keeping the group sizes relatively small allows for
a lot of interaction and I think that greatly helps the learning process.
How has WICE affected your stay in
Paris and what have you gained from WICE that you didn't expect?
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| photo by Alastair Arthur |
The most significant effect has been in terms of meeting new
people. I meet up with a few other WICE guys regularly to 'philosophise' and
sample the kind of French culture that comes served in a large glass. One
pleasant surprise has been to learn more about film making. Although I
coordinate the courses, I’m still learning a lot about the process of planning,
shooting and editing videos. The new film courses are a great way to learn.
How do you describe WICE to
your friends?
That
WICE is a great place for English speakers in Paris to meet and learn together.
The courses are many and varied and cover much of French culture. It's a
friendly group and it would be great to see it grow further and help more
people expand their knowledge and skills.
What are you looking forward to in
terms of future WICE offerings?
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| photo by Alastair Arthur |
Last
year we introduced the idea of a 'Friday Film Festival', where we get together one
Friday every month to make some popcorn and watch a film together. We've been a
small gathering so far so I'd love to see more people join us, submit their
film suggestions, and make it a great social event. Next month is the comedy
'Hot Fuzz' and I'm sure it's going to be a fun evening.
Thanks Alastair! We'll be sure to join you at the upcoming Friday Film Festival.
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- Check out www.alastairarthur.com, for more information about Alastair's photography services.
- Learn more and register for Film courses at wice-paris.org/film.