CCJC Audio Podcast Episode 00015, Season 1
Meet Mathurin Daigle: Cajun Chronicles Video And Cameraman
Just the other day our Cajun Chronicles Podcast Corporation video and camera guy, Maturin Daigle (pronounced Ma-thu-RIN DAY-gle), was once tasked with capturing a spontaneous podcast interview over on Claiborne Avenue here in New Orleans. He'd scoped out the perfect less noisy spot - a quiet alleyway, just steps away from the hustle and bustle. Or so he thought.
As soon as Laurent and Dominique, our hosts and guests started their deep, philosophical conversation about the meaning of life, a brass band appeared out of nowhere and marched by, followed by a loud raucous aggressive lock of yellow eyed Great-tailed Grackles.
Mathurin, ever the professional, tried to adjust the camera angle, but the wind picked up, nearly toppling his Manfrotto 190XPRO4C carbon fiber tripod.
"Just breathe," he muttered to himself. "Respire, bon sang! Breathe, damn it!" Because he’s a Type 2 diabetic, he took a moment to check his blood sugars. A quick glance at his monitor confirmed his worst fear. It was spiking. He knew he needed to stay calm and focused. Stress deeply affected his numbers, so he took a few more deep breaths and sipped on some water.
As the chaos unfolded, a rogue Rock Pigeon decided to use his brand new MindShift Gear camera bag as a personal “la salle de bain” (restroom). Mathurin, with a sigh, cleaned up the mess and pressed on, still capturing the interview amidst the gumbo of noise.
Right about then he admitted he was thinking as he was a life-long resident of the Treme neighborhood, that he probably should have known better. He should have suggested a quieter spot off North Robertson Street or Claiborne Avenue.
The Street Take-Away Lesson for Our Listeners And Readers
Afterwards, Mathurin threw a voice memo on the pot, recording what he wanted to share with his wife. It went like this, “Emerante, today I want to remind you that life, like a street interview, is full of unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes, the best-laid plans go awry. But the key is to adapt, stay calm, and keep going. "Mon chéri, même quand le monde est à l'envers, tu peux toujours trouver une belle image." (My dear, even when the world is upside down you can always find a beautiful image).
Just like Mathurin managed his T2 diabetes while navigating the chaos of a street interview, we can all learn to manage life's challenges with grace and resilience. By staying calm, taking breaks, and prioritizing our health, we can overcome any obstacle. Plus, you never know when there’s always an opportunity to capture a unique moment.
By now you’re probably wondering what Mathurin Daigle's daily life is like, both on the street and in the studio at Cajun Chronicles. Being a video and camera man takes a good bit of knowledge and thinking on your feet. Consider Mathurin’s time outside when he’s with our hosts as they do pop up interviews.
Mathurin’s job as a video and camera man in the heart of New Orleans isn’t just sitting' behind a desk, pushin' buttons. No siree! When we are out on the streets, capturing' the essence of the city, he’s doing it one frame at a time.That takes a certain amount of street smarts and camera skills.
As a native NOLA resident, Mathurin Daigle’s ancestral roots go back to his African family. They were slaves brought to Louisiana in the early 1700’s. Familiarity with all of New Orleans is one of the reasons he excels. His natural knack for finding the perfect locations, whether it’s a bustling French Quarter or quiet historic neighborhood is almost instinctive.
Once on location his setting up the camera, lighting the scene, and ensuring the sound is as crystal clear is almost automatic. Even with the surprise of jazz bands and street performers, Maturin is usually not stressed. For him it’s a labor of love capturing the moments in filming interviews with colorful characters and locals. It’s a joy to be documenting the city’s unique cultures.
His street smart ability to dodge traffic in NOLA;s chaotic streets, deftly avoiding potholes, and keeping the camera steady no-matter-what is amazing! He does this even when the green St. Charles Avenue streetcar comes rollin’ by. When you live in Ouragan land (hurricanes), added to the normal heat, humidity, and seasonal rains, Mathurin has been battling the elements all his life. Dealing with such distractions, handling curious onlookers, noisy obnoxious tourists and crows, and even the occasional stray dogs . . . well that’s just Louisiana life.
Of course, the Cajun cameraman's real challenges are also about dealing with equipment malfunctions, battery life blues, and storage space on memory cards, which can make any day exciting. Plus, there’s permits and permissions with NOLA city bureaucracy is also part of his job description.
Louisiana Style Days in the Studio
We see our video and cameraman at Cajun Chronicles Podcast as a visual conjure of pure magic. Mathurin Daigle isn’t just pressing buttons. Much like Jean Lafitte’s charting a course to a treasure chest. His pre-production prep includes setting up the camera rig, lighting the scene, and testing equipment till it’s a “petit ronronnement Cajun” kitty.
Adjusting the camera settings, tweaking the lights, and monitoring the sound, all while keeping an eye on the “gator in the swamp” . . . well, that gator is obviously the technical glitches during production. Then there’s post-production:
Mathurin’s forte in life is his ability to cut and paste the footage, adding his own brand of Cajun spice. Color correction and grading the video, making it look as vibrant as a Mardi Gras parade all go into his studio days. Exporting the final product, being ready to share it with the world is his hot sauce talent.
Meeting deadlines, connecting with guests from afar, keeping up with the latest camera technology, AI enhancements, and understanding the inner workings of his cameras and other equipment. Mathurin’s creative eye in seeing the world through not only a camera lens but the lens of someone who is deeply rooted to the many cultures in New Orleans keeps him on his toes.
Being detail oriented, thinking on his feet like a Louisiana politician, and having the people skills to communicate clearly – talking the talk and walking the walk, are all part of his persona as a video and cameraman is all part of how a simple podcast can turn into a visual and audio feast, fit for a king or a queen.
Passions: Preserving all of the unique cultures of New Orleans, especially his African American community of Treme. He loves documenting history, especially the city’s musical and art landscape. He is deeply committed to volunteering at local events. Family is everything, including his work family and sharing stories and traditions with them is his foundation. Living with Type 2 diabetes requires his careful attention to his diet, stress management, and exercise has him on a mission to also help others in his community.
Favorite Things: Joining second line parades, dancing and celebrating with community; reworking and rewriting his grandmother’s many recipes to be Type 2 diabetic friendly and publishing them as a book is #1 on his list of favorite things to do. Competition dancing events are something he and his wife, Emerante love to do as a couple.
This tale is inspired by real New Orleans history, but some details have been spiced up for a good story. While we've respected the truth, a bit of creative license was used. Please note that all characters may be based on real people, but their identities in some cases have been Avatar masked for privacy.
A Word of Wisdom:
As you read, remember history and real life is a complex mix of joy, sorrow, triumph, and tragedy. While we've added a bit of fiction, the core message remains: the human spirit's power to endure, adapt, and overcome.
© Jerilee Wei 2024 All Rights Reserved.
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