Bianca Beauchamp ALL ACCESS 2 : RUBBERIZED

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This interview is a must read for all casual fetish enthusiast, curious by-standers who ever dreamed of attending a fetish event, and fans of Bianca Beauchamp hungry for Behind The Scenes details!

Marc Poelmans is known by most fetish event attendees by the name of Belgium Marc. He can be spotted at all the major fetish events around the world, with his trusty digital Canon camera, shooting away to capture all the crazy moments that goes on during such events.  It just so happens that Marc Poelmans is also a key player in the making of Bianca Beauchamp All Access 1 and 2, being one of the main cameraman.  When director Martin Perreault was not filming, Marc was in charge of the main camera following Bianca Beauchamp everywhere.  An extremely important position, which landed him a video camera in his hands pretty much throughout the whole weekend of shooting!

One fascinating aspect of this friendly photographer is the fact that Belgium Marc befriended with all the major fetish stars around the world in an extremely short period of time. What makes this remarkable is the fact that only five years ago, Poelmans had never set foot in a fetish event in his life. And so, his story is certainly nothing short of a dream come true for many fetish enthusiasts who secretly wish they’d go to one of those events, and perhaps one day meet up in person their favorite fetish icons - let alone have breakfast with them - all of which Marc did.

The following interview reveals an honest man who values friendship above all, always in pursuit of the wild ride that offers him fetish events, reveals his views on how to treat a fetish celebrity, and his personal experience working on the films ALL ACCESS.

Although the following interview may be slightly on the lengthy side for most casual online readers, we decided to publish it uncut, the way the All Access films are done. We believe you will appreciate Belgium Marc’s overall generosity, a trait he is well known for in the fetish scene, which is clearly shown in the length of his answers where he goes in depth on all topics touched during the interview. We believe avid fans of Bianca Beauchamp and curious readers about the fetish scene in general should certainly give this interview a complete read, as it contains tons of information you rarely get to read in regular interviews, and gives you access to one of the most down to earth person in the scene.

INTERVIEW WITH MARC POELMANS (Belgium Marc)
Fetish Event Photographer | BIANCA ALL ACCESS cameraman
Websites: BelgiumMarc.com | Mediatlon.be

All photos in this interview are from Marc Poelmans.

BBAA: Hello Marc! Thanks for giving BiancaBeauchampAllAccess.com an interview. How are you doing?

  BM: Excellent, thank you, feeling very flattered by your request for this interview!
I just finished my final exams for my photography course, so pretty excited about that. Because of my day job I was anxious I would not finish all my assignments in time, but I put in a sprint in the end and made all of them in the nick of time. I spent three years on that project, so I’m glad I can now put it behind me, and start taking some “real” pictures. So, when is Bianca free for a shoot? ;-)

BBAA: Most people in the scene refer to you as “Belgium Marc”. How did that name come to be?

BM: it started out as a nick name that I was given right after the start of my ‘fetish career’, simply because I’m from Belgium of course. I got it even before I started posting on Bianca’s forum. The name stuck, people started recognizing it and I decided to use it as a “brand”. I registered the domain name soon after. Even now, I notice some people still call me “BelgiumMarc” instead of just Marc ;-) I also got a few other nick names over time, one I particularly love was given to me by fellow forumite MC: “roving fetish reporter”.

“It is exhilarating to photograph all those beautiful people wearing their favorite fantasy outfits!”

BBAA: : You’ve been sighted with your digital photo camera in hand at pretty much every fetish event on earth, and often many years in a row to the same events! What brings you to them over and over again?

BM: I still do this as a hobby, so over the last few years almost all of my days off from work (the day job I was talking about, which pays the bills) have been dedicated to fetish travel. In the beginning it was exhilarating to capture all those beautiful people wearing their favorite fantasy outfits, or to see incredible stage shows. I learned so much about the fetish world in such a small amount of time, and I know I have been privileged to have had access to places and scenes not normally accessible. I also tried to squeeze in one new event each year. However, I have to admit, I sense my focus is shifting slightly these days. While in the beginning I was just there to get “the shot” for my event reports, I now see myself primarily motivated by seeing my friends again. It’s a pretty international scene, so although you do run into a couple of people at ALL the events (Kip, anyone?) most of them you only see maybe once a year (ED.NOTE: Kip is a very well known fetish event attendee). Which makes seeing them at an event all the more fun! Of course, getting those pervy people in front of my lens is still a huge thrill, but I see myself putting the camera down more often once the evening progresses and just have some fun with the friends!

BBAA: What is the very first fetish event you attended, and how did that go?

BM: It all started in 2003. I had just booked a holiday to Mexico and Guatemala, when I stumbled on the “Kink in the Caribbean” website that immediately grabbed my attention. Now, this was just days after I booked that other holiday. Agony! I really wanted to go to Jamaica now, since it was a once per year opportunity. I was a fetish newbie, but I certainly had a desire to learn more about it. So, Kink in the Caribbean offered a perfect combination: a possibility to discover my fetish side for the first time, and if it turned out to be a miss I still had a week of beach holiday. So, I rescheduled part of my Mexican holiday and booked my ticket to Jamaica. My boss wasn’t too happy since both holidays were only 3 weeks away from each other, but hey! Then I had to do some shopping for fetish clothes as well… And then… my credit card starting complaining!

I never looked back after that, as they say. I immediately felt right at home in this kinky world and I made a lot of contacts that first visit. People I am still in touch with! Even during that first event I tried out things I didn’t see myself doing that easily. Getting body painted. Floating around in the resort pool fully encased in an inflatable body bag. Taking pictures of fetish models!
Looking back, I really felt naïve at times, since I had so little knowledge of the fetish scene. Here I was having breakfast, this bunch of people join me and the girl sitting next to me starts a conversation. She introduced herself, we have a lovely talk. It’s only afterwards that I realized I was chatting with THE Emily Marilyn! But that experience also made me realize that most of the performers and models are also very approachable people, as long as you treat them with the same respect as you like to be treated yourself.

“It’s only afterwards that I realized I was chatting with THE Emily Marilyn! But that experience also made me realize that most of the performers and models are also very approachable people.”

BBAA: Even though fetish events seem to have made a major leap in terms of mainstream acceptance, many people seem to be afraid to go to them. Why do you think that is, and what would you say to those silently wishing they would attend?

BM: I had the same sentiment when I went to Jamaica. “What can I expect?“ Of course, there are many fetishes out there. What is fun for one person makes another cringe. The general public still has this warped image of fetish: people wearing leather, hitting each other and screaming for pain. In recent years I see a shift. Fashion designers discover latex. So did pop stars and actors like Pamela Anderson, who seems to wear latex for thrills! Movies discovered costumes again, just think of Catwoman (Batman II). There are pervy parties popping up everywhere, and they make the general press. So now people see the other side. People dressing up in the most outrageous outfits, and having fun! The fetish crowd in general is still far from mainstream, but as you say, there is larger acceptance.

So if someone is intrigued by it all, I would say take the leap, just like I did. Get informed! If you have gathered the necessary courage, attend a party like the ones in Germany or Montreal, where you can get a taste of all sorts of fetishes. It may not all be to your liking, but that’s where you have the choice. Nobody will force you, nobody will bite (unless by request!). Almost everyone I know in the fetish scene is also very willing to answer questions, so go for it! And of course a fetish event is also an excellent opportunity to run into fetish models!

BBAA: Your clothes of choice at those events seem to be latex. What attract you to this fashion?

BM: My first love will always be latex. I love the feel, the smell and of course the shine. Being a photographer I like it even better on other people! But recently, when I am taking pictures at an event, my choice of clothing has shifted away from latex. Opting for comfort over pleasure, I’m now wearing a different kind of fetish outfit. I discovered this line of shirts that combine cloth or spandex with latex, so I can still nurture my latex fetish but be comfortable while working. When I can leave my camera at home when I visit an event I of course can dig into the latex closet again. I would love to have a “Mr Incredible” suit made one day (you don’t need a six-pack for that one)!

BBAA: It seems that at those events you have photographed and spent time with all the major latex fetish models out there, such as Bianca Beauchamp, Jean Bardot, RubberDoll, Emily Marilyn, Darenzia, Susan Wayland, Masuimi Max, Ancilla Tilia, and all the imaginable newcomers out there. How does one get to spend time with all these top icons?

BM: When you list all those names like that, I’m quite impressed myself! Like I said, I feel extremely privileged, not only because I was able to capture their image at one time or another, but even more because I can call them my friends. Of course it’s exciting to get those models in front of the lens, but when you can also establish a more personal relationship with them it shows they are also just fun to hang out with. They may be icons, living a life in the spotlight, having their pictures published in magazines around the globe. But once that spotlight is switched off they are no different than my other fetish or even non fetish friends. So why do I get to spend so much time with them? I think it’s because I treat them the same as my other friends. They of course deserve respect for their achievements, but does that mean I should treat them differently? Not in my mind. The fact that they reciprocate in the same way proves to me they are confident in their professional and personal life.

BBAA: Tell us about your relationship with Bianca Beauchamp.

BM: Aaaaah. Bianca! I have heard this story from other people as well, but Bianca’s site was one of the very first fetish sites I ever visited. This was years before my first venture into the fetish world. It was one of the original designs of her website, so it must have been just before the turn of the century. The way she described her fetish and what it added to her life always stuck in my mind. After having visited my first fetish event I went back and joined her forum, never having met her in person. This changed at the London Rubber Ball in 2004. I was still a junior on the forum, but I set up this get-together with the other forumites. Bianca and Martin agreed to come, despite their hectic schedule that weekend. And whaddayaknow, they both turned out to be lovely people, just there to be part of the forum family. It was the start of a fantastic journey, during which I met Bianca all over the world. My relationship with her particularly changed on two occasions.

In Jamaica during one of many Kink in the Caribbean visits, I ran into Bianca one night when I was walking back to my room. We ended up chatting for a couple of hours talking about everything and anything. I also discovered there that we both are night crawlers! At another time, on my first trip to Montreal I saw her feeling right at home and relaxed, not having to worry about getting around and meeting deadlines as much as when abroad. Now, I’m really proud to be able to call her a good friend, not because she is a fetish superstar, but because she is a very interesting person who cares about people and is always in for some fun. I always look forward to share a glass of our favorite vodka!

“I’m really proud to be able to call Bianca a good friend, not because she is a fetish superstar, but because she is a very interesting person who cares about people and is always in for some fun.”

BBAA: You were one of the main cameramen working on the film Bianca Beauchamp All Access 1 and you’ve returned to do camera work on All Access 2. How did you come to work in these films?

BM: Martin [Perreault] knew I was going to attend the Montreal Fetish Weekend, and he asked me if I was willing to trade in my still camera for a video camera, and join the production of All Access. He explained what he had in mind and made sure I was ok with missing the still pictures. I did not have to think long before accepting, I saw this as an excellent opportunity to be part of a video production for the first time. For my event report afterwards I was able to use the images of another photographer.
A few months after the event we met again in Florida, and Martin discussed his intention to work on a second video, also being taped during the Fetish Weekend in Montreal. When he suggested I would take up my role as camera man again, I didn’t even have to think about it.

BBAA: How was it for you to work with a video camera instead of your trusty photo camera?

BM: A totally new experience! With a still camera you focus on the moment, while with video you have to continually keep an eye on all parameters. It makes you even more conscious of what’s going on around you. For instance, if you are in the crowd taking still pictures a little bump from somebody passing by is no big deal. While shooting video it can be! And there is sound, of course, but Martin had rigged Bianca with a remote microphone set. I could always hear what she was saying, even when inside a club. I also got a pretty good workout, carrying around a heavy duty video camera with torch and microphone receiver!

BBAA: Director Martin Perreault claims in a scene of All Access 1 that nothing was staged. Would you say this is true and does it hold for All Access 2 also?

BM: I can certainly back up that statement. If the camera happened to be there when something went on, it was captured. If there was no camera, too bad, moment gone. No rehearsals, no repeat shots, no lines. I vividly remember the scenes shot in Martin’s car, me taping in the backseat, on our way to an event. There was no script to stick by, it was all “spur of the moment”.

“In ALL ACCESS, if there was no camera, too bad, moment gone. No rehearsals, no repeat shots, no lines. There was no script to stick by, it was all ‘spur of the moment’! ”

For All Access 2 things had to be a bit more structured, since Bianca had such a busy schedule to follow because All Access 1 was being launched. So there were appointments and places to be, but there was still no real script. This is a reality show without a scenario!
Of course the best example I can think of is Bianca’s entrance at the Ball. Limousine pulls up, Bianca steps out, cameras and flashlights focusing on her. Next second … she falls on her behind, tripping over a whole in the pavement hidden by the red carpet, falling victim to those high heels. There’s no way you can stage that, risking that glamorous latex ball gown! Of course, Bianca being herself, she immediately started laughing! What an entrance…

BBAA: When you were filming on All Access 1, did you have an idea of what the film would like in the end? If so, were you right?

BM: Not really. Since you focus on the moment so much, you tend to lose the bigger picture (hence the importance of a director). When I met Martin in Florida a few months after the recording of All Access 1, he showed me a preview of the movie. I was surprised with the result, even if it was still in production. In this kind of movie, where there are no pre-defined scenes, you end up with a bunch of tapes, hours of material. So it is up to the director to make this into a coherent movie. Martin managed to filter through all this material. So the final product contained a lot of surprises, even for me!

“In this kind of movie (ALL ACCESS), where there are no pre-defined scenes, you end up with a bunch of tapes, hours of material. So it is up to the director to make this into a coherent movie.”

BBAA: Being that you were Behind The Scenes, you got to live quite a different experience in the making of the films compared to the cast members. How was it for you to shoot these fetish icons in the context of a film instead of a photo camera?

  BM: Contrary to what you might expect, it gave me the possibility to capture the cast when they were most natural, as their “real selves”. When you run around with a still camera and you aim the lens, most people strike the pose. With a video camera they are more at ease, certainly after it has been following them for a while. You might even say it catches them off guard more often, but in a good way. I did sometimes get the reaction “you weren’t recording that, were you ??”.

BBAA: How was it for you to work with director/editor Martin Perreault?

BM: There was a noticeable difference between the first and the second movie. In the first episode, Martin’s role was both in front and behind the camera, doing part of the camera work as well. In the second movie he took his role as Bianca’s partner up again in a bigger way, leaving the camera work mostly to the team. We did have regular meetings discussing the where and whens, so at times Martin was not even present when I was taping Bianca. Having learned from the first movie, and focusing on the glamour theme of the second one, he was able to give guidelines and plan things out better, but also give me bigger freedom. Of course, on a personal level, I know Martin for quite a while now, so I knew his sense for perfection would show through in this project as well. And since I have that same sense, we got along quite well!

BBAA: Is it a fair assessment to say a film like All Access had never been done in the past in the fetish scene? What’s your take on that?

  BM: Most fetish movies lean towards erotic, to make the viewer feel turned on. All Access is almost a documentary, giving a peak into the life of a fetish icon and taking the viewer in places normally off limits to most. There might have been a few YouTube clips that shared the concept in the past, but as far as I know All Access was the first full feature movie on the subject.

“Most fetish movies lean towards erotic, to make the viewer feel turned on. All Access is almost a documentary, giving a peak into the life of a fetish icon and taking the viewer in places normally off limits to most.”

BBAA: How was your experience of shooting All Access 2 compared to the first film?

BM: I of course felt more at ease with the video camera, falling back on the experience from the year before. There was also a team taping the whole weekend, so tasks could be split up, or capture the same scene with multiple cameras. Having a schedule of where to be and when also helped run things smoothly. Bianca feels very comfortable in front of the camera by now. But it was especially the nature of the events that made this experience different. There was so much going on! The presentation of Martin and Gil Perron’s Project LatexLand, the release of All Access 1, Bianca’s TV interview, THE Richard’s tattoo session and Bianca’s super glam dress on the last evening, all things I had never seen before!

BBAA: Can you tell us about the main cast members of the film and how it was for you to work with them on this film?

BM: Oooh, it’s one heck of a cast! Bianca of course plays a pivot role, and she managed to invite some very interesting people to join her in her conquest of Montreal. A repeat appearance by Jean Bardot (I think I might have grabbed a shot of her wearing slippers!). I’ve run into Jean at so many events by now we have lost count. She has a great sense of humor and a very contagious laughter! Then there is Bianca’s hairdresser The Richard (responsible for many of Bianca’s “coifs”) who stars in a very special Tattoo session, where he gets Bianca’s image inked on his back. What made this extra special was the presence of Gina King, the artist who made the drawing of Bianca, which had won a poll on her forum. Of course Martin Perreault, Bianca’s partner and photographer is back for more. Sadly enough, I was told Elvis had left the building by then. [Ed. Note: reference to All Access 1; Martin was impersonating Elvis Presley in a latex Elvis outfit.]

New this year was Floridian model and performer RubberDoll. I had seen her shows on a couple of occasions before, and she always manages to put tremendous energy in the performance. I also really think she fit the team perfectly, she takes her shows very seriously but off stage she can be found in the middle of wherever the fun is! Both Jean and RubberDoll had shows during the Fetish Weekend so you will get to see them on stage as well as in Bianca’s kitchen! There will be a few surprise scenes of which I can’t tell too much yet, but I can definitely say I saw the real people through my lens, and not just performers.

BBAA: Do you have any funny stories or anecdotes you could tell our readers from the shooting of All Access 2?

BM: Since my video camera was rigged with a receiver connected to the remote microphone Bianca was wearing, there were times I could not see her but was still able to hear her. At one time during a party she needed to talk to Martin urgently, but was unable to find him. So I tried to locate Martin, told him Bianca was looking for her!
And then there was this very funny moment … Oh wait, you need to down a few shooters before you can get that…

“Bianca must be convinced I am one of the Borg, because she only saw me with a camera stuck to my face, still or video! Resistance is futile…”

BBAA: From what you have shot in All Access 2, what do you think viewers can expect from the upcoming film?

BM: That whole episode is now just one big blur … Kidding! While All Access 1 was focused more on following Bianca around, for the sequel things get more glamorous, giving access to a part of Bianca’s life during the weekend that would normally be completely hidden. There was the launch of All Access one, which drew a lot of spot light, also from the general media. TV interviews, limousines, ball gowns… And the viewers get a ride along…

As said, while filming All Access 1 things were a bit more guerilla, while working on the second movie things were more organized without losing any of its spontaneity. During the event nights a whole video team followed Bianca around while I had the privilege of staying with Bianca also during the day time. Bianca must be convinced I am one of the Borg, because she only saw me with a camera stuck to my face, still or video! Resistance is futile…

BBAA: All Access 2 was filmed at the Montreal Fetish Weekend 2007. Since you’ve been traveling at so many fetish events, how would you describe the MTL event and your experience being part of it?

BM: I’ve been attending the Montreal Fetish Weekend for the past few years now. I’ve seen it mature to the international event it is at the moment, and I keep coming back. I always compared the Montreal atmosphere to an almost cozy family get-together. Everyone knows everyone. Of course that family grew considerably over the past years, and I feel I’m part of that family now. Added to that is the city itself. Some other events take place in the middle of nowhere, others happen smack in the middle of a metropolis. Montreal is somewhere in the middle: there’s a lot to see and do without getting lost. And there is always something to eat, as we often go for some (in)famous poutine when we leave the venue late at night!

BBAA: We hear between the branches that the film “Bianca Beauchamp All Access 2” might be Premiered near the Montreal Fetish Weekend 2008. Do you know when the film will be Premiered and will be there? [ED. NOTE: At the time of the interview, the official release announcement had not been made. The film will officially be premiered Friday Aug.29th. during the MFW).

BM: I think I heard those same branches whisper here in Belgium, so it must be true! I wouldn’t want to miss it, the Montreal weekend is one of those events I just don’t skip. Count me in! Of course, I can’t wait to see the final result as well.

“I don’t think vac beds or medical play will ever be mainstream. And the fetish frenzy will fade away again as well, as do most fashionable trends.”

BBAA: Fetish vs Mainstream. A lot of people seem to say fetish (latex in particular) is becoming more and more mainstream and judging from the entertainment industry, it seems they are right: videoclips from Beyonce, Rhianna, Britney, and more artists all feature a lot of latex and films use the material very often in science-fictions and the likes. Yet, it has been argued on many web fetish forums that the more fetish is becoming mainstream, the more it is loosing its appeal for true latex fetishists. What's your take on this debate?

BM: Yes, fetish is definitely on the rise these past few years. I myself was inspired by a video clip from the 70-ies made by a Dutch band, where the singer was wearing this shiny blue catsuit. That video got stuck in my mind, replaying it in my head every time I heard the song. So when I see pop singers wearing latex in recent video clips I can only hope they can inspire someone in the same way. And the more fetish makes it in the mainstream media, the more people are exposed to it. But I do think this is limited to glam fetish, and perhaps also temporary. You do sometimes see other fetishes appear, but always portrayed in a more “edge” kind of way, as in a deviation from the norm. I don’t think vac beds or medical play will ever be mainstream. And the fetish frenzy will fade away again as well, as do most fashionable trends. When it does, I hope we end up with a bigger acceptance of fetish, be it glam or in general. So what about the true fetishists? They should be glad! Because of the extra media attention, designers are emerging left and right, outfits get more outrageous every year, wearing sexy clothes is more accepted. I’ve seen some interesting new ideas this past year and when we people in fetish dress walk down the street I usually see only curious reactions, almost never disapproving. And finally, most latex fetishists are also a bit extravagant, they like the extra attention ;-)

BBAA: Before we end this interview, we heard you recently opened up a photo studio. How is that going for you?

BM: Yes, I opened my photo studio beginning of April. I am sharing the space with two other photographers, both professionals. This means they usually occupy the studio during the day time and I can use it after work. We also rent out the space to other photographers and we plan a series of workshops starting in September, ranging from “nude photography” to “how to clean you camera”. These workshops will take up a lot of time to organize, but I’m really looking forward to them. And yes, I managed to convince the others to also include a fetish and bondage workshop!

“Yes, I managed to convince my studio partners to include a fetish and bondage workshop!”

BBAA: Any project in particular you are working on at the moment and at what event can people see you next?

BM: I was concentrating on my photography course up until now, but now I’m done with that one, I can start concentrating on my own portfolio again. I met some really nice fetish models living in Belgium in the past few months, so I’ll be looking forward to setting up a few projects with them. And for one of the workshops I’m trying to get a former Miss Belgium to come and teach a master class in modeling and posing.
The next event I’ll be attending is … the Montreal Fetish Weekend, of course!

BBAA: Where can people see your photography?

BM: There is my own website of course (www.belgiummarc.com). My regular photographs can be found on www.mediatlon.be. I was also fortunate enough to have been working together with two excellent magazines, Secret Magazine and MARQUIS magazine, where you’ll find my event reports.

BBAA: Thank you Marc for this interview! We wish you the best of success with your new photo studio and with all your upcoming projects!

BM: Thank you for having me over!

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Tags: all access, behind the scenes, bianca beauchamp, fetish event, fetish weekend, interview