Le Fantôme (The Phantom)
Welcome to the artistic world of "Le Fantôme" (The Phantom) and the album "The French Poets", an enchanting multimedia project that combines music, photography, design, and videos to revive the essence of 12 renowned French poets.
With a captivating blend of haunting soundscapes and powerful interpretations, "The French Poets" offers a unique and cohesive journey through the realms of poetry and art.
The Chosen Poems
I selected 12 diverse and influential poems to form the foundation of this album.
Each poem represents a distinct universe, yet together they create a cohesive narrative.
Here are the chosen poems that have been transformed into musical pieces:
I. Intro: Oceano Nox (Victor Hugo)
II. l'Homme et la Mer (Charles Baudelaire)
III. Talisman (Henri-Frédéric Amiel)
IV. La Cigale et la Fourmi (Jean de La Fontaine)
V. L'Heure Exquise (Paul Verlaine)
VI. Ballade (Théophile Gautier)
VII. A la Marquise (Pierre Corneille)
VIII. Les Yeux (René-François Sully Prudhomme)
IX. Asie (Mijo)
X. Le Fantôme (Louise-Victorine Ackermann)
XI. Chanson d'Automne (Paul Verlaine) / (Charles d'Orléans)
XII. Le Temps (Gérard de Nerval)
II. l'Homme et la Mer (Charles Baudelaire)
III. Talisman (Henri-Frédéric Amiel)
IV. La Cigale et la Fourmi (Jean de La Fontaine)
V. L'Heure Exquise (Paul Verlaine)
VI. Ballade (Théophile Gautier)
VII. A la Marquise (Pierre Corneille)
VIII. Les Yeux (René-François Sully Prudhomme)
IX. Asie (Mijo)
X. Le Fantôme (Louise-Victorine Ackermann)
XI. Chanson d'Automne (Paul Verlaine) / (Charles d'Orléans)
XII. Le Temps (Gérard de Nerval)
Accompanying these poems are their original lyrics in French, along with translated versions to capture the essence of each poem:
The Music
From the early 20s (2000), I learned and practiced music with digital instruments and used the famous Steinberg Cubase digital audio workstation (DAW) to compose, record, mix, and master music.
I remember starting with the Cubase SX3 version. The melodies were born from my imagination, inspired by the lyrical depth and emotions conveyed by the chosen poems.
My SoundCloud Playlist:
Photography and Design
To bring the spirits of these poets to life visually, I ventured into the realms of photography and design.
I designed unique costumes, such as the golden phantom.
Wearing a mask inspired by the Phantom of the Opera was another influence to create the phantom :
Employing AI filters in Photoshop, I experimented with emotions and aging.
I brought Charles Baudelaire to life with a happy face:
For the photographic process, I used Canon and Sony camera lenses, carefully capturing the essence of each costume and character.
Videos with Adobe Premiere Pro
Videos are integral to this project, providing a captivating visual storytelling experience.
Using Adobe Premiere Pro, I crafted two key videos for this project: the album trailer and "Le Temps" (Time) video. The album trailer sets the stage, offering a glimpse into the haunting and immersive journey that awaits the viewers.
The French Poets (Album Trailer Video):
"Le Temps" video encapsulates the essence of Gérard de Nerval's poem, highlighting the tragic beauty of his work through evocative visuals and the haunting soundtrack :
The Mascot and Merchandising
Within "Le Fantôme," a captivating mascot emerged.
This mascot embodies the ethereal nature of the project and became a beloved symbol. Leveraging this mascot's appeal, I conceptualized and designed merchandising ideas that complement the project, providing fans with tangible connections to the artistic world of The Phantom.
"Le Fantôme" (The Phantom) album "The French Poets" is a testament to the fusion of French poetry, music, photography, design, and video.
Through this artistic endeavor, I sought to revive the spirits of 12 influential French poets, creating 12 unique universes that seamlessly intertwine.
