Ya Falta Menos!

I apologize for not posting anything for a while.  There is a fair-use policy in Spain which limited our amount of internet use per day, and well, let's face it, when you're in Pamplona during San Fermin, the last place you are is indoors in front of your computer!


So a quick update on what's been going on.  The festival was amazing, as it always is, and new friends were made as well as new memories.  Our first time San Ferminers got their taste of the festival and are now thoroughly addicted.


Here are some highlights:


On the morning of their first run, Marissa was picked out of the crowd and interviewed by a national news station.  Later that night, when we met up with our translator, she recognized her from the newscast!


Solomon had a great run and then continued on into the bullring.  Once the baby bulls were released, it wasn't long until Solomon's spidey-parkour sense started tingling.  Once he saw the opportunity, he vaulted a baby bull!  While it's super crowded in the ring as well as the stands, and it's difficult to really see anything, Solomon was on everyone's radar, and the crowd roared with approval. 


Alex had a close run-in during the encierro, with a bull right on his heels.  Being a smart runner, once he saw an opening on a post on the barricades, he jumped up and held on. Only seconds after he took hold, another runner behind him was taken out by that bull and swept right underneath him.  Talk about a close call.


We met the mayor and were taken on a tour of the Ayuntamiento, an absolutely gorgeous building both inside and out.  You could feel the incredible historical energy just walking through the halls.  We were even able to go out onto the balcony where the official start and end of the festival takes place. 


After taking my cast to their first bullfight, we were honored to score an interview with Julian Lopez, better known as "El Juli", whose story of becoming a matador is amazing in itself. Bullfighting, being one of my own personal passions, my cast was able to ask him questions to get a better grasp of this often misunderstood art.  El Juli was holding a bullfighting lesson for kids after our interview, which we were able to attend as well.  At the bullring, I spotted Paco Cano, Canito, acclaimed photographer of San Fermin.  With his white cap and camera around his neck, he was everywhere he needed to be to get the best shots.  It's incredible to think he turned 100 this year.  Watching him work, there was a calm and familiarity with his environment that you can only achieve with time.  While all the other photographers, myself included, were scrambling around and fighting for the best views of El Juli, I'm pretty sure Canito got better shots than all of us.


There is a ton more I could sit and write about, but then I'm taking time away from editing my teaser trailer!  Right now I am currently going through hours and hours of footage, narrowing it down into hopefully 30 sec!  Eek!  I've got my work cut out for me, but it's not anything I can't handle. :)


~jb

CHUPINAZO!!!

With the chupinazo under our belts, the festival has officially begun!


It was madness, as usual, but an amazing time was had by all.  Maneuvering around a city and trying to keep your group together while everyone is dressed the same proved to be quite challenging, but we did pretty well.


Alex, Solomon and Marissa had a slight idea of what to expect, but witnessing it in person was a completely different story.  The party began way before the opening ceremony even commenced and is still going at almost midnight.


Tomorrow is the first run.  The gang has decided to watch one first before getting into the barricades themselves.  Everyone has decided they will run, but after watching one, let's see what the turn out is.


Since we do have to get up early, and it's close to midnight, I will end things here.  There is tons to see and lots of walking being done, but everyone is having a fantastic time.  Pics will be posted soon, but I still have to shower all the sweat and sangria out of my hair from the festivities.  


VIVA SAN FERMIN!
GORA SAN FERMIN!


~jb

FILM POSTER

There are so few days left until we leave, I can start counting down hours now rather than days!  How exciting!


I don't want to reveal too much about what's going on or what we have planned, because then you won't be surprised when you see the film.


Here are a few things I can tell you.  My cast members who will be going on this unforgettable adventure with me are Alex Kingi, Solomon Brende, and Marissa Labog.  Our friend, Brandon Melendy, is working in Ibiza until the fall, so he will be joining us for a few days in Pamplona.  They are all kick-ass stunt people who do crazy things for a living, so I expect some phenomenal footage from them. :)


Another thing I can tell you is that we have some prime viewing spots to get some unbelievable footage, and I can't wait to get my camera rolling!!!


And last but not least, for now, my uber talented graphic designer has come up with an awesome film poster for us.  He's got a 3 year old and a new baby, and was still able to get this together.  I really appreciate his dedication.  MUCHAS GRACIAS WILL BASA!

I don't know if it's because I've been going back to Pamplona for a few years now, but at this point in the year, my internal clock starts to switch, and I find myself on Spain time about a week before I leave.  Yay to no jet lag!


Can't wait to finally get there!


~jb

Questions for a Matador?

     Another big part of San Fermin is the daily bullfight at the end of the day.  Every day at 5pm sharp, everyone gathers into the bullring to witness the amazing spectacle of the bullfight.  I know that this isn't for everyone, and some people are completely against it, and I totally respect those opinions, but for me personally, it has become an obsession.  I can talk about bullfighters and bullfighting stats as easily as I can talk about football, basketball or baseball.  


     Also, "european time" is not great on punctuality, which, as a New Yorker, was very very difficult for me to get used to, but bullfighting is the one thing that Spaniards will always be on time for.  Garcia Lorca even wrote a poem about it.


     I have a possible opportunity to meet with one of the top matadors right now, and do a short interview with him.  Upon finding out this news, millions of questions ran through my mind about what I could ask him, the interview could last for days!!!  So once I got over the initial shock and excitement and came back to earth, I was able to think more clearly.  

     Here is another opportunity for you guys to get involved with the documentary, as many of you wonderful Kickstarter backers already have.  If you had an opportunity to ask a matador a question, what would it be?  I would much rather get your guys' questions answered, since you are my wonderful audience, and this documentary is for all of you!  I will be going through all the questions and choosing them to ask during the interview, so please, think about what you would like to learn about bullfighting or a bullfighter and see your questions get answered when you see the doc!


Ya Falta Menos!


~jb

It runs in the family

     Here's a little interesting fact about me.  I am actually not the first in my family to go to San Fermin!  I know, I know, hard to believe...but it was actually my super cool uncle who had gone to San Fermin when he was younger, and he played basketball with the Peña Alegria back in the day.  He even went back years later and brought his family with him to experience the great festival for themselves.  Although my cousin was quite young when she went, she still has memories of being there and how much fun she had.  I guess it runs in the family. ;)
     Upon reaching our kickstarter goal, I received this email from him, which made everything so much realer for me, and it hit me again that I am actually able to do this!  It's a simple and short email, but it means so much more to me.  

"I'm so happy you met your goal.  It's amazing that 40 years later someone from my family would be going back to Pamplona

Good luck and success with your project"

A big "thank you" again to everyone who supports us!

~jb

John Hemingway, Ernest's grandson

This came across my inbox along with a plethora of other San Fermin related material, as it does every year.  Most of my emails come from spanish websites with all the logistics for the upcoming year's festival, so it's always interesting to read when a U.S. website or magazine does an article on it.  Most of the time they only talk about the running of the bulls, because that's what people are interested in.  This particular article was with John Hemingway, Ernest's grandson.  I will definitely keep an eye out for him this year if he is there, and maybe see if he'd like to do an impromptu interview on the street!

I have also attached the link to the original article in case you want to check it out there.

06/17/12

RUNNING WITH THE BULLS WITH A REAL-LIFE HEMINGWAY

It’s no secret we’re big fans of legendary author, beard icon and daiquiri enthusiast Ernest Hemingway here at Kempt. Just invoking his name conjures visions of rum-soaked fishing trips, stoic prose and, of course, the running of the bulls.

And as we’ve just learned from our friends at UrbanDaddy Jetset, it didn’t all stop with Ernie. They’ve caught up with Ernest Hemingway’s grandson, John—who’s actually run the gauntlet, whether or not he’s convinced Gramps did—to get an invaluable lesson on how to run with the bulls. (It’s the sort of wisdom you’re born with.) So without further ado…

John Hemingway imparts his wisdom on running with the bulls.

So how’s it work? You just show up, ready to run?
Yeah. You have to get there in the morning early. If you partied all night, you better be able to wake up and be in some sort of condition to run. Then the police tell you, in various languages, what not to do: don’t touch the bull, no alcohol, that sort of stuff.

How long does it actually take from start to finish?
Maybe two and a half minutes.

And what are the bulls like?
They’re strong animals, fast. Every day you have six bulls. They just want to get from point A to point B. They don’t really give a damn about the people.

Sounds right.
The problem comes if a bull becomes separated from the herd, at which point it immediately stakes out a territory—anything within striking distance of its horns, he goes for. And if he’s got you there, he will keep coming until he kills you.

Any tips to avoid that sort of thing?
If you get knocked down, stay down. … The bull will go to you if you move. The bull doesn’t see colors; it sees movements.

Do you wear special shoes?
I just wear Converse.

Interesting. How’re the roads?
It’s a pretty slippery cobblestone. After they clean it at night, it’s all wet in the morning. So, it’s a real mess.

We hear the whole week’s otherwise like a nonstop party. Is that right?
Basically. You meet friends, you make friends, if they don’t show up you meet someone else. People always ask, “How many hours of sleep did you get last night?” “Oh, three. That’s not bad.” [laughs]

We almost don’t need to ask, but: how did you end up doing this?
People ask me if it’s because my grandfather ran, and I don’t really know. I see no proof that he did run, but there’s no proof that he didn’t. People have said forever that he used to run—that he ran like mad.

Incredible. Everyone there, in some shape or form, must be there because of your grandfather’s writing.
He made it famous. He put it on the map, but it existed way before he went there. It was a local festival. But he made it what it is today.

Did you receive any family advice about the running of the bulls?
No. Oh, no.

—Staff

http://www.getkempt.com/conversation/running-with-the-bulls-with-a-real-life-hemingway.php

~jb

WE DID IT!!!

And by "WE" I mean all of YOU!!!


Yesterday was the last day of our kickstarter campaign and we met our goal with about 2 hours to go!  I really honestly could never have gotten to this point without all of your donations, support and spreading the word, so you should all be celebrating alongside me this amazing success!


And with one countdown done, there's one more to go.  The countdown to SAN FERMIN!  Every day I get more and more excited, thinking of things to film so that I can share the full experience with you.  I really can't wait to get this going, and I wish I could take you all with me.  Things will be moving pretty fast now, and even as I say that I can't wait and it's taking forever to get here, I know I will wake up and suddenly find myself on the way to the airport.  


I invite you to ask me any questions you have or share comments about what's been going on, because what you think is the most important thing.  Updates will be a little shorter, but more frequent hopefully.


Muchismas gracias mis amigos!!!


And one last thing.  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the wonderful men out there!!

And a special Happy Father's Day to my dad.  The hardest working man I know. He has the biggest heart, strongest work ethic, and never ever thinks about himself.  No matter how much work he has or how tired he is, he always does whatever he can for me and my brother, and we are the luckiest kids in the world to have him in our lives!  He taught my brother how to be a man and taught me what kind of man I should have in my life.  And for that, I am forever grateful.


~jb