Lighting designer and operator Maxime was expecting to finish a tour with Canadian Rwandan singer Corneille, and then be preparing for the summer festival season which would have included HellFest, La Nuit de l’Erdre, Megascéne and others. Instead, he found himself … inspired in self-isolation.

Robe: Where are you right now?

Maxime: I’m at home!! in Vannes, Brittany, France.

Robe: How are you spending time whilst isolating / on lockdown?

Maxime: I am taking the opportunity to spend time with my partner and repair small things in our apartment as well as training on different software.

Robe: What is the most creative thing you’re able to do whilst in isolation?

Maxime: In collaboration with 10 colleagues (sound, video, riggers, etc), we are developing an innovative scenography concept to propose for staging a DJ show with an orchestra!

Robe: Are you looking after anyone else during the Covid-19 crisis? Like neighbours or others in the family?

Maxime: Yes, I live in a building where many elderly people live, so I try to bring them groceries from the supermarket. The Thursday 8 p.m. applause (clap for carers) is very followed here, and it is a pleasure to say "hello" to everyone at this time.

Robe: Has anyone particularly inspired you since this crisis started?

Maxime: Obviously, all those in the medical profession – who luckily are here to help all of us fight, but it’s a shame that it has taken this … for everyone to realise and appreciate them!

Robe: What has been your favourite book / movie / Netflix or TV series / viral video / Games / music? (some detail needed here answers please)

Maxime: I watched the 9 seasons of "Suits"!!! (set at a fictional New York Law firm); “Casa de Papel” (AKA “Money Heist”, award-winning Spanish series on Netflix set around two incredible bank heists), and French political thriller “Le Bureau des Légendes”.

I also listen to a lot of music … rediscovering an old album is always a pleasure (today the release of a new Rolling Stones title):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdhENdBYqdo&fbclid=IwAR0UWV2Y2-owvO-FChhDL6WYSJoUzG0XsqEuSt_EsOmZMd8dWMXuoTzEv_s

Robe: What is the first thing you’d like to do when we are through this crisis?

Maxime: Going seeing my parents, eating a good barbecue, seeing my friends again and quickly going sailing!

Robe: Own question / answer / message of solidarity or something you’d like to say?

Maxime: With or without a pandemic situation, I think it is important to respect everyone and to pay attention to all the people around us.