So that the producers have the maximum information about you, who are you?

 We’re three friends who enjoy Balkan Music and videography. I’m, Tuğrul Sarıkaya, the director of Balkancisco, studied Political Science in Turkey then moved to San Francisco to experience USA. I’m an entrepreneur. I did e-commerce and digital marketing in US. With Ozgen Göksoy (co-producer), we conducted many visual marketing projects together. We produced visuals for international companies, and Silicon Valley startups. We used to go to Balkan Parties all around the Bay Area because we got homesick sometimes. Since Balkan Music is very familiar to our culture, we enjoy dancing and singing along with the people there. We’re always amazed why people loved Balkan Music so much in the US. Being so far from the Balkans, people are so into this music. We met with Duygu Gün (the other co-producer) at one of the Balkan Party venues. We shared the same vision about the Balkan scene in San Francisco Bay Area. Then we decided to capture this awesomeness by producing a documentary about it. Duygu is a Turkish expat in San Francisco who is very well educated, very multicultural, free spirited music and dance lover. As well as being in the lead role of the Balkancisco, Duygu also conducted the communications and project management. She co-produced Balkancisco with me and Özgen Göksoy.

 

How many years have you been making movies?

I have used cameras since my childhood. I have been interested in documentaries since my childhood too. So, it’s difficult to answer. But the Balkancisco is my first featured movie, and it won’t be the last.

 

What was your first experience making movies? Did you study at a film school or did you learn on your own?

I had done many commercials, explainers, and personal projects before Balkancisco. But Balkancisco is my first featured movie. And it’s a very special one, since it taught me a lot. I didn’t study film. I wanted to learn in the process. Since I studied Political Science, my head have always been filled with theory, which I hate now. I like to get my hands dirty. I believe it’s the only way of learning. I’ve learned everything by myself down to the smallest detail. 

 

What budget did you have?

It’s hard to answer this question since we made this documentary as three people working hand in hand, eagerly. We also had the equipment and accommodation. But making Balkancisco would cost no less than $350.000

 

Is it a self-financed project?

Yes, It’s a self-financed project.

 

Any anecdote that you can tell us about the filming?

Meeting with all those Balkan music loving American people is the big anecdote by itself, to me.  Those people are very far from Balkans and most of them had no ancestral ties with the Balkans. But they are singing songs together in a language they don’t understand and they don’t speak. Nothing pushes them to do so. That means there is a kind of magic in Balkan music and dance which draws people to it.  We capture all anecdotes to the camera. You should see the movie. 

 

If you had unlimited budget. Which actor and actress would you like to work with?

Since I’m a documentary filmmaker, I believe the people you work with behind the camera is more important than the actors and actresses. So if I had the budget, I would spend it on recruitment. I would spend it to find the rigth people who works willingly with commitment. 

 

Your favorite movie?

There Will Be Blood, Matrix (The First one), The Green Line

 

Tell us 3 filmmakers that you like.

Paul Thomas Anderson, Fatih Akın, Nuri Bilge Ceylan

 

What is the scene that has impacted you the most?

In Balkancisco, Zoe from Beats Antique explains why she likes the Balkan music. She says “as westerners people love how Balkan music is a community event.. It’s like friend and family… and it really speaks to a need in western culture to have this community events that are not necessarily connected to a religion related activites.” You can see the similar statements on Balkan music from different people in the documentary again and again. This scene is the answer to our question “Why American people are so into Balkan music and dance?” Because western people have this overly individualistic culture which causes a kind of longing to other people to be one with regardless. Balkan music and culture speaks to this longing I think.

 

If you could do a remake of a movie, what would it be?

None.

 

Did you have light designs or did you shoot with the same light as the location? Can you explain the process of working with a cinematographer?

Ligthing was a big issue for us to deal with, since we shot many live events under poor lighting conditions. Using prime lenses helped a lot since they had wider maximum apertures to get more light into the camera. We also used Balckmagic Raw codec which helped us a lot in the post-processing and coloring. With the right lens and the right codec combination, you can do anything you want. We used small led light setups for the interviews. But we never overdo it because we always keep it in our mind that we’re shooting a documentary which needs to be realistic and natural. 

 

Did you have any problems when shooting?

Shooting with wider aperture is not an easy job if you are working with the moving objects like musicians and dancers. Because the wider the aperture is harder to pull focus. 

 

And in terms of sound? Neighbors, flushing, cars?

We don’t mind having some background noise. But occasionally we used Resolve’s (magic) sound tools to eliminate them. 

 

How was the producer-director relationship?

As a director I’m one of the co-producers of the Balkancisco. The other co-producers are my friends. Duygu Gün and Özgen Göksoy. We spend so much time together. Co-ordination was smooth. Duygu’s project management skills are pretty good. She is also an artist who sings Balkan and Turkish music. She is well versed in the subject. As for Ozgen, he has an amazing vision for cinematography. He is also skilled cameraman and audio guy. We are a very good team together.

 

And working with actors? Tell us about this process, how do you work with the actors?

In Balkancisco we worked with dance and music performers. So, we didn’t need actors. They did their own thing and we captured it. As for the lead role, Duygu was already acting herself. So, she is the lead character according to the script. So, she didn’t put so much effort being herself. Everything worked smoothly.

 

Do you have any other projects in progress?

I want to focus on documentaries in my career. I have many other projects to work on. But the next project will definitely create excitement in the audience. That’s what I can say for now.