2024-03-05 14:57:01
A former student of ESRA (the Higher School of Audiovisual Production), Nikola Lange ticked all the boxes of real-life made in 2000’s: editing for YouTube and selling his series for streaming platforms. The following ?
You began your career as a director at ESRA, co-directing one short film per year. Like Spielberg, from childhood, did you take the camera to film everything?
Nikola Lange : I have a chaotic career: HEC preparation, DEUG in economics, progressive rock drummer… The production began with skate films, to be edited on the first iMac to have iMovie, without final cut. On the other hand, at ESRA, I found myself with a lot of people coming from audiovisual BTS. For my part, I had no technical background, but I had the ability to analyze film forms and a critical sense. I ended up launching into self-productions with few resources. The equipment has become more widely available, I borrowed 5ds (camera, editor’s note) from Joachim, the director of ESRA. Then I did my first series, Derby Girl, for France TV. The first time I arrived, saw my name everywhere, the five big trucks: I was taken aback. I used to work with friends… But I never thwarted a working method. I still act like I’m 5d, except I have the latest Alexa 35!
The gap between your time at school and your own productions?
At ESRA, I asked myself a lot of questions. So I ended up detaching myself from my creations. It’s a mistake to define yourself by what you create. As soon as we enter such professions, we judge ourselves based on that… From the moment I understood that I did not define myself based on what I did, I freed myself. What you need, above all, is to love telling stories and working in a team.
You did a lot of editing for Golden Mustache and the series you directed (Derby Girl, Killer Coaster) are comical. Since when were you attracted to this register?
I remember my first big interview, it was for Variety. The journalist asks me what my style is. I had no idea. So I told him that I tried to be like the directors I liked and that everything that was messed up defined my style.
Who are the people you love?
I grew up with Hollywood cinema of the 80’s and 90’s. My first loves are Spielberg, Joe Dante, Richard Donner, etc. But I also grew up with more “weird” films like Evil Dead by Sam Raimi or Braindead by Peter Jackson. I saw them when I was ten, it was gory and funny at the same time. I have an Anglo-Saxon influence, in the mixture of genres and in the aesthetic with very elaborate lighting.
Why did you choose streaming platforms, YouTube, etc.? as distribution channels?
I feel free with the serial format and the platforms. I was marked, when I was younger, by Lost, The Wire, Battlestar Galactica…Characters and plots larger than in feature films. Today, series no longer have anything to envy of the world of cinema. Whether aesthetically or in distribution.
A series or film to recommend to us?
The Snow Circle, on Netflix, a masterful production! And I just saw Triangle Of Sadness, huge slap!
What are your future projects?
I am working on two thrillers, two adaptations, and an original fantasy series creation. So I’m moving away from comedy, even if it will eventually catch up with me. I have been working with the same producer Barbara Maubert for seven years, founder of the Vacarme label, a subsidiary of Kabo, managed by Alain Kappauf (Kaamelott, Coffee Camera…).
Interview Alexis Lacourte
Joachim Azoulay
At the head of ESRA, Joachim Azoulay presents his school to us, and, with pride, the success of his former student, Nikola Lange. Encounter.
ESRA in one sentence?
Joachim Azoulay : Since its creation in 1972: being as close as possible to the practices of professionals.
The key to success ?
What all audiovisual professions have in common is that you have to be able to work in a team! It is by gaining the trust of your colleagues that opportunities will appear. The volume of production in France is constantly increasing, with the arrival of platforms: there is therefore room for all types of content. You have to dare to surprise, and not try to conform to public expectations. But above all, be persistent.
Your view on Nikola Lange’s career?
It shows to what extent everyone must create their favorite universe and develop their expertise following their studies. Nikola moved away from film production a little to concentrate on web formats, which allowed him to learn his skills and surround himself with actors, technicians and partners who accompanied him until Killer Coaster. This atypical project, a hybrid between comedy and slasher, might not necessarily have existed in the cinema circuit.
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