Blog
Nog eentje, om het af te leren
I had the great privilege of working on the short film ‘Nog eentje, om het af te leren’, directed and shot by Zoë Tibergijn. The film tells the story of two best friends spending one final day together before one of them undergoes euthanasia. As they go through their familiar routines; sharing drinks, conversations, and quiet moments, the reality of farewell slowly begins to settle in. It’s an intimate and tender exploration of friendship, love, and letting go.
As gaffer on this project, I faced the challenge of working with a very limited light package. With only six LED tubes and a pile of garbage bags to fight the sun for our day-for-night scenes, we had to get resourceful. Our crew was very small with just Zoë, our 1st AC Jitte,
and myself in the cine department. But thanks to the help of the amazing sound team, who jumped in to tape the windows with us, we managed to pull it off.
It was a real honor to contribute to such a moving story, and I can’t wait to share more soon!
Directed by Zoë Tibergijn
DOP: Zoë Tibergijn
Gaffer: Robbe Rutten
1st AC: Jitte Gheysen
Chef-Sound: Roman Schiettecatte & Niels Valgaeren
- 09/05/2025
Voorbij De Zee
I had the honour to be the Gaffer on the set of “Voorbij de zee”, a shortfilm directed by Marilyn van Dijck with cinematography
by Morena Schwarzwalder. The film tells a story about a family revisiting a vacation-home for the first time since they lost their father. We watch the story through several different perspectives and get to learn more about the way people handle loss.
Shot in a beautiful beach house at the Belgian coastline, we faced many challenges that we managed to overcome thanks to great teamwork and communication. One of the biggest challenges was our fight against the daylight with our limited amount of lamps. We originally started off with a box of Asteras and 2 dedo’s of which one had a broken fan. Though we managed to get through the first day we quickly realised we needed more power to get the inside levels closer to the outside levels as we wanted to see both sides clearly. Thanks to the great service and help from the people at Lites we were able to get a Nanlux Evoke 2400B with a triple riser and lowboy from Brussels to Sint-Idesbald in no time!
Even though we had a small Cinematography team, we managed to deliver some incredible work and had a great time doing so!
It was a great privilege to work with such an amazing crew and I’m looking forward to work with them again!
Directed by Marilyn van Dijck
1st AD: Finne van den Bergh
DOP: Morena Schwarzwalder
Gaffer: Robbe Rutten
1st AC: Zoë Tibergijn
Chef-Sound: Roman Schiettecatte
Boom-Operator: Niels Valgaeren
Producer: Anne-Laure Péchereau
- 18/04/2025
Sehnsucht In Strofen
I had the great privilege of working on the short film ‘Sehnsucht in strofen’, directed by Gwen Guldix. The film explores the isolation and longing experienced by three different individuals, each navigating their own version of loneliness. Set against the backdrop of a golf club, a seemingly serene environment, the film contrasts the outward calm with the inner turmoil of its characters.
As their stories unfold, we witness how each person grapples with solitude in a unique way—whether through quiet moments of introspection, missed connections, or an overwhelming sense of emotional distance. ‘Sehnsucht in strofen’ is a tender exploration of the human need for connection, highlighting how, even in the most isolated of places, there is always the possibility for unexpected encounters that may offer a glimmer of hope.
As the gaffer on this film, I had to experiment with techniques to create a night environment lit by an artificial moon, figuring out ways to make it feel as natural as possible. I also had to find a way to naturally light a ‘small cabin’ in a fairly large golf-shed.
It was an honor to be a part of this project, and I’m excited to share more soon!
Directed by Gwen Guldix
DOP: Junot Maes
Gaffer: Robbe Rutten
Key-Grip: Lennert vanden Berghe
Producers: Benthe de Wee & Flo Dejonghe
- 14/03/2025
Souffre Douleur
I had the honour of working on the short film ‘Souffre Douleur’, directed by Manon Dardenne. The film weaves together two narratives—one following a woman in an abusive relationship, the other depicting a tree standing tall in nature, on the brink of deforestation. Though seemingly unrelated at first, their stories slowly begin to mirror each other in ways both subtle and profound.
As the story unfolds, the parallels between them become more apparent, subtly reflecting themes of resilience, destruction, and the impact of outside forces. Through striking visuals and emotional depth, ‘Souffre Douleur’ explores the fragility of life, the weight of suffering, and the quiet strength found in moments of connection.
I’m honored to have been part of this project and can’t wait to share more soon!
Directed by Manon Dardenne
DOP: Kas Christiaens
Gaffer: Robbe Rutten
Key-Grip: Femke Hardy
Producer: Elien Vleminckx
- 28/02/2025
Palindroom
I had the great privilege of working on the short film ‘Palindroom’, directed by Boukje van der Vos. ‘Palindroom’ follows a woman returning to her childhood home to help her father move into a care facility. As she sorts through the remnants of their past, time begins to blur, memories and reality intertwine in hauntingly familiar ways. Moments from her childhood seem to echo into the present, like déjà vu unfolding before her eyes.
The film subtly explores the way memories resurface, how time can feel like it’s folding in on itself, and the deep, unspoken bond between a parent and child. ‘Palindroom’ is a reflection on love, loss, and the echoes of our past that never quite fade.
As Grip-head I had to work closely together with the DOP and Gaffer to figure out ways to rig cars with lighting and antennas so we could simulate an empty country-road where we could easily control the light and the director and 1st AC could easily follow in the follow-car.
I’m incredibly proud to have been part of this project and can’t wait to share more soon!
Directed by Boukje van der Vos
DOP: Lennert vanden Berghe
Gaffer: Nick van Berkel
Key-Grip: Robbe Rutten
Producer: Stijn van Koetsem
- 14/02/2025
Polly
I had the great privilege of working on the short film ‘Polly’, directed by Pierre Dhondt. ‘Polly’ tells the story of a young girl growing up with a father struggling with a gambling addiction—someone who, despite his love for her, keeps falling back into old habits.
The film highlights the challenges she faces, from instability at home to navigating the Belgian CLB system, which doesn’t always provide the support children in her situation truly need.
As 1st AC I had an amazing adventure shooting in some really cool places, including the Brussels’ subway, the Delhaize,… with our biggest struggle, trying to fit the camera through the doors and crowds!
I’m incredibly proud to have been part of this project, and I can’t wait to share more soon!
Directed by Pierre Dhondt
DOP: Ante Pask
1st AC: Robbe Rutten
Gaffer: Lennert vanden Berghe
Producer: Margot van Daele
- 17/01/2025
Pikoh X-MOS 2025
In Belgium we have a high-school tradition where we celebrate the last 100 days of the seniors’ highschool careers. In most highschools this is celebrated with a huge show and a rave at the end of the day. In my old highschool our teachers always had a surprise video-act for the show in which they’d act their hearts out for their students. I had the honour of shooting the X-MOS Teacher’s Act for my old highschool this year.
We only had one day shooting the scenario which led to a lot of improvisation on both camera and directing departments. Despite the lack of time I had a blast working closely together with my old teachers, making an amazing musical with parodies of songs like ‘Thriller’, ‘Bohemian Rapsody’, and many more!
Enjoy some stills and a few BTS shots!
Shot on Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro – Blazar Remus FF lens set
Edited and graded on Davinci Resolve
Special thanks to Wouter Souvereyns, Noortje Grauls and all the teachers who wanted to sing their hearts out!
- 09/12/2024
IBC 2024
I had the privilege of visiting IBC 2024, one of the world’s leading events for broadcast, media, and entertainment technology. Held at the RAI Amsterdam, this year’s exhibition brought together industry leaders, cutting-edge innovations, and forward-thinking discussions that are shaping the future of content creation and distribution.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear that IBC remains a driving force in the industry. The event showcased the latest advancements in lighting, camera technology, virtual production, and AI-driven media solutions, offering an in-depth look at the tools and trends that are redefining how we create and deliver content.
One of the key highlights of my visit was the opportunity to engage with some of the most respected names in the field. I had the honor of meeting the teams behind Arri, Sony, Blackmagic, Lupo, Dedolight and many more. Discussing their latest developments and seeing their technology in action reinforced the critical role that high-quality lighting plays in professional production. Their commitment to excellence and forward-thinking design continues to set industry standards.
Networking was another key aspect of my experience. Connecting with industry professionals, sharing ideas, and exploring potential collaborations made this event an invaluable platform for business growth and innovation.
IBC 2024 was more than just an exhibition—it was an inspiring convergence of creativity, technology, and industry leadership. As the media and entertainment sectors continue to evolve, events like IBC serve as essential touchpoints for staying informed, connected, and ahead of the curve.
I look forward to applying the insights gained from this experience and to seeing how these innovations will shape the future of our industry. Until next year, IBC!
I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the teams at Lupo, Dedolight, Cinetica and Blazar for their time, insights, and personal engagement during IBC 2024. Their passion for innovation and commitment to excellence made my visit all the more valuable. It was an absolute pleasure discussing their latest developments and exploring how their technologies continue to shape the industry.
Looking forward to future collaborations and seeing what’s next from these incredible teams!
- 14/09/2024