Raphaëlle Payet (24) was one of the first graduates of CinéCréatis Lyon. A lively, all-round talent (writing, singing, slam, acting), the Lyonnaise quickly got into the film business as a casting assistant on Valérie Donzelli’s “Nona et ses filles”, a nine-part series broadcast on Arte.
A LOOK BACK AT THE YEARS OF CINECREATIS
How did you come to choose to study film?
I’ve always been attracted to the arts. In Year 10, I took an arts and culture course. Then I did a literary section in the first and last years of secondary school. I was thinking of becoming a writer, but then I turned to music. I sang for years at La Cigale in Lyon. In total, I spent 10 years singing. I also wrote a slam album. But that wasn’t enough for me! One day I went to the student fair. I saw the Cinécréatis stand. I said to my parents: I think I want to go into film. I had an interview with the director of CinéCréatis Nantes when I was applying to Lyon. It went really well. I was off!
How did your integration and your course at CinéCréatis go?
I did the core curriculum. Then I chose the production option.
Why production?
I wasn’t at all interested in post-production. Sitting behind a computer all the time just wasn’t for me. Imaging is all about technique. Clearly, production was going to lead me towards my goals. It’s wide-ranging. You get to work on the script, production management, stage management, casting, etc… It’s a huge range! That’s where I find myself best.
How did your training go?
It was an incredible three years. The teachers and lecturers were great and very professional. I’m thinking in particular of my image analysis teacher who taught me an enormous amount. However, I have the feeling that I didn’t go all the way. Is it my fault? Is it the school’s fault? I don’t know! In any case, at CinéCréatis you have to give it your all.
CAREER PATH
What was the transition like between your studies, your graduation film and the professional world?
I presented a professional project in the form of a film called “La collection des tocs”. I edited it on my own in ten days. It was very tight in terms of timing. I wrote it in one night. Early in the morning, I called my teacher who gave me the go-ahead. It was a bit of a rush, but everything went well. I’m very proud of this film.
I also worked as a stage manager with the whole class on Sydney Roy-Aubin’s graduation film “Vous ne m’oublierez pas”, a comedy. I have very fond memories of it.
Why are you talking about tocs in your career plan?
It was an obvious choice. I’ve had an obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was young. It’s allowed me to free myself. It’s changed a lot of things in my day-to-day life. I’ve often been told that “cinema isn’t therapy”. I don’t really like hearing that. I believe that cinema is free, that art in general is free.
How did you get involved with a professional team?
During a workshop at school, I got in touch with a casting director who worked for Arte. Through him, I was lucky enough to be cast in a Gaumont production in Paris, a series called “Nona et ses filles” with Miou-Miou and Virginie Ledoyen. In fact, it was an internship to complete my CinéCréatis training. With Covid, it had been postponed.
I had an interview with “Inkonito Casting” who recruited me as a casting assistant and assistant extra (receiving applications, giving lines to applicants for roles, making boards, selecting photos, etc.). We also did some wild casting in the Goutte d’Or district. So I did a lot of upstream work on the series for two months before leaving due to health problems.
What did you get out of this first professional experience in such a major series?
It was very formative. I followed it up after my studies. I was afraid of missing out. I didn’t sleep much! The pressure was on. Today I could do that again without any problem as I mature. I met Valérie Donzelli, the director. She’s someone I admire. I loved working with her.
Where are you now?
I’ve been working on a short film called Badwater by Matthieu Bourasseau, which comes out in June.
I started studying drama with “Les Illuminés de Lyon”. I realised that becoming an actress appealed to me. In October 2021, I was accepted at the Arts en Scène school in Lyon. I’m continuing my theatrical training with one goal in mind: to become a film actress.
I’m also going back to school in June. I’m doing a Masters 2 in cultural management at EAC Lyon. It’s a kind of extension and complement to what I’ve learnt at Cinécréatis.
Finally, I set up a production company, Asterism, with Nicolas Ribolzi, Matthieu Bourasseau and Clément Bonnard. Our ambition is to produce short films, music videos and commercials, as well as supporting artists and working on events.
So busy! The days are only 24 hours long… How do you manage it all?
I haven’t told you, I also have a food job for Lyon’s public transport system… The problem with my life is that I don’t settle down. My life is a jigsaw puzzle. I’m also recording a slam album under the pseudonym Pyt. I’m going to start doing open stages.
I haven’t given up singing. I met the singer Pomme.
A dream?
To be able to sell a script to production companies. I’ve written about fifteen of them! In a second phase, I’d like to direct myself, especially one called “Bruits de couloir”. I’d like to get Christophe Barratier to read it. It’s a musical film.
IN CONCLUSION
What advice would you give to students and future students?
Don’t put pressure on yourself! Make the most of your studies, open your mind and take an interest in all forms of art. You have to believe in your dreams while remaining humble.
To follow Raphaëlle’s adventures :
Instagram : @raphaelle_payet or @pyt
Website :http://asterism-prod.fr/
