Members in the Spotlight: Jan Oudemans & Max Grapperhaus

Member in the Spotlight: Jan Oudemans & Max Grapperhaus

This week we catch up with Jan Oudemans & Max Grapperhaus - founding fathers of film production company Trip to the Moon Films. Having created a series of videos portraits of four of our Dutch Creativity Awards Jury Members entitled ‘An Ode to Imagination’, we decided to switch the spotlight to shine on them and get to know Jan & Max a bit better. We find out how these self-taught directors and producers ended up in the creative industry, which recent project they wish they’d done and why, and what their most impressive dance floor moves are.

As the Club for Creativity, we'd like to start by asking you to get creative and draw self portraits.

Seeing as you both did not have a background in film, what drove you to found Trip to the Moon Films? Was it a gradual process or a sudden career change?

Jan: As students, we found a shared love for making films. Our first collaboration was a short action packed chase film. Afterwards we joked that we should start a production company. At the time, we didn't realise it wasn’t actually a joke.

Max: So, in a way, a gradual process brought us to a sudden career change you can say. One day we thought let’s just go for it - and there we went, with out of place degrees but a 100% feeling.

What’s the one film you each would recommend that everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime?

Jan: De Noorderlingen - a film by Alex van Warmerdam. Very funny and very well made - nice insight into Dutch culture.

Max: The Tree of Life - by Terrence Malick. The first full cinema-is-taking-me-over experience I ever had.

What type of music would we find in your most listened to playlist on Spotify?

Jan: Varies a lot, from electronic to organ to hiphop to experimental. Big fan of Sango and Jamie xx.

Max: André Hazes, Elton John… mainly 'gold' pop music honestly, a little bit of classical. But mainly 10cc, Lous Reed and Dylan to Billie Eilish, A$AP Rocky (Jan too btw), Ronnie Flex and Boef.

What is each of your most impressive party tricks?

Jan: Crip walking.

Max: Twerking and having the best night with parents of people at parties. Unfortunately these tricks don’t complement each other.

As you did a series of video portraits for ADCN about what sparks the imagination of our Jury Members, we'd now like to pose this question to you both.

Jan: The book - 21 lessons for the 21st century by Yuval Noah Harari. It takes a holistic view on the current human condition and choices we face now. A must-read if you are a human living today. Guaranteed source of inspiration.

Max: Later was alles beter - the live show by Peter Pannekoek. It wasn’t perfect but it was really good. Making one reflect more in a natural way, whilst remaining really funny - that’s what cabaret should and can do in a world where people can be driven apart more and more.

As we are now transitioning back to life post corona, what kept you both sane during lockdown?

Jan: Keeping life simple, not watching the news every 15 minutes but watching good movies instead.

Max: Reading. Also a good laugh or heavy argument now and then.

What is your biggest learning from life in quarantine?

Jan: Having a simple focus on fewer things is very relaxing.

Max: Everything goes.

If you could each pick one campaign/project that makes you think, ‘I wish I’d done that’, what would it be and why?

Jan: The short film Jetski by Sharif Abdel Mawla. I found it very moving for a short film - something that is hard to achieve. The music is also really good.

Max: Sam de Jong’s Drank & Drugs videoclip for Lil Kleine & Ronnie Flex in 2015. Giving youth/hip hop/urban culture a new look that took over for some time. Although it was five years ago now, it seems as if there’s some momentum again…

Out of the projects you’ve worked on so far, which makes you the most proud?

Jan: Very proud of our Tulip Mania film - made for Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam.

Max: Our New Amsterdam Surf Association campaign video, launching in a few weeks.

What do you think defines the Dutch creative community?

Jan: A good sense of humour - most of the time.

Max: As a bit of an outsider I assume it's a community of individuals that struggle with the idea that they’re part of any community.

Who do you admire the most in the Dutch creative industry?

Jan: Changes every week, currently: Sharif Abdel Mawla.

Max: Now I think of Danielle Guirguis, who I read about through your interview with her earlier this year. It’s really cool how she succeeds in her ambition of combining the production of commercial and feature work.

What’s the most interesting trend in your field to watch right now?

Jan: A classic film-style which provides a broader perspective and a deeper meaning is gaining momentum - I love that.

Max: It’s interesting to see how creatives, communities, companies, and individuals are progressing and taking a lead in societal developments on diversity and inclusivity. This exceeds the idea of a 'trend' though. But still, how can you remain genuine while changing mindsets and supplying the eye-openers that are needed today? Translate that to an ambition within our field: how can you make films/videos that inspire people and that are intrinsically acknowledging inclusivity and diversity. And how can this be done most effectively, staying away from 'overdoing it', or greenwashing alike practices. Altogether: lots of needs, lots of nuance, lots of ambition and lots of social pressure. Stay genuine but trigger yourself by inspiration, I’d say that's the key if we want to move forward sustainably.

Best piece of advice?

Jan: It ain’t over till the fat lady sings.

Max: Take a walk on the wild side.