Michel Gondry’s Amateur Film Factory Opens at Galerie du 19M
- Filmmaker Michel Gondry has brought his hands-on participatory cinema project, L'Usine de Films Amateurs, to the Galerie du 19M in Paris.
- The participatory art installation directly mirrors the premise of Gondry's 2008 comedy Be Kind Rewind, which starred Jack Black and Mos Def.
- The workshop experience begins with an initial site tour and a visit to the prop room.
Filmmaker Michel Gondry has brought his hands-on participatory cinema project, L’Usine de Films Amateurs, to the Galerie du 19M in Paris. The pop-up studio offers visitors the rare chance to write, shoot, and complete a short movie from scratch within three hours. Official venue and project announcements confirm that the installation invites groups to step into a fictionalized hat-making workshop environment inspired by the early 20th-century aesthetic of Maison Michel.
Michel Gondry Brings DIY Cinema to Paris
Recreating Be Kind Rewind on the Factory Floor
The participatory art installation directly mirrors the premise of Gondry’s 2008 comedy Be Kind Rewind, which starred Jack Black and Mos Def. Working in teams ranging from five to 15 people, participants experience every single stage of filmmaking. According to project documentation from usinedefilmsamateurs.com, visitors navigate the entire production pipeline without needing any prior technical training whatsoever.
From Scriptwriting to Scene Blocking
The workshop experience begins with an initial site tour and a visit to the prop room. Teams then move directly into scriptwriting, actor selection, and scene blocking. According to le19m.com, the setup introduces participants to the core fundamentals of movie production, including framing, character development, costume design, accessories, and editing.
Theatrical Machinery and Practical Effects
Set pieces and theatrical machinery simulate both indoor and outdoor environments. This infrastructure allows groups to build customized narratives focused on themes of transmission, transformation, and artistic trades, according to Galerie du 19M materials. Participants operate lightweight cameras independently, supported by on-site facilitators who guide the process.
Screening the Finished Cut on DVD
Once shooting wraps, teams craft low-tech, practical special effects directly on-site. According to usinedefilmsamateurs.com, the production concludes with a collective screening of the finished sequences.
Participants leave the venue with a physical copy of their work. As stated in project guidelines, visitors exit the three-hour session holding a DVD containing their completed short film. The activity is offered free of charge to the public, though advance registration is recommended due to capacity limits for group formations.