Birth of a Series
In 1990, Stéphan Bureau launches the Contact series while newly hired as Washington correspondent for the TVA network. Enthused at the idea of fulfilling this challenge, the host, who does not want to devote his time uniquely to the political life, feeds on the idea of creating a platform where he can meet people who captivate him. “I wanted to have an open forum to explore the creative world, to surpass all dreams of meeting people whose writings have influenced my life“, he says.
In fact, Stéphan Bureau regrets not meeting his idol, French philosopher and essayist André Malraux, who died in 1976 and whose works marked him profoundly. It is from this moment that he establishes the first Contact series, a collection of interviews with prominent figures from the literary and intellectual world.
Between 1990 and 1994, the series’ first 26 episodes are broadcasted in Quebec as well as in France, Belgium, Switzerland and on TV5 Afrique. Episodes are sold to schools and universities in Canada and throughout the world. For French-speaking television viewers, this is an occasion to delve into the complex universe of renowned novelists, philosophers and essayists. When naming a few, we think of Paul Auster, Nancy Huston, Carlos Fuentes, John Ralston Saul, David Homel and Elie Wiesel.
At that time, Contact’s roster of invited guests was limited not only to writers. Fascinated by the mechanics that encompass all creative forms, Stéphan Bureau’s vast interests come to include public figures as diverse as astrophysicist Hubert Reeves, architect Ricardo Bofill, film director Denys Arcand, distinguished reporter Lucien Bodard, and actor and ceramist Jean Marais.
After three seasons, Stéphan Bureau decides to put his series on hold to explore new opportunities that are offered to him in the news world, and because he fears undermining the show’s original approach.
This career turn enables him to learn his craft and perfect his interview techniques. His skills as foreign correspondent, and later as newscaster at Radio-Canada’s televised newsmagazine Le Point, allow him to rub shoulders and establish ties with outstanding and influential figures. More than ever, his zealous interviews solicit enthusiasm and recurring comments from television viewers who want more. The audience’s need to “hear, see and know more” is furthered by his guests’ need “to speak”, and who in many instances, wish to prolong this wonderful intellectual connection beyond the span of a short interview.
Gradually, Stéphan Bureau’s intuitiveness strengthens and prompts him to envision the return of a more fervent documentary series, this time casting an even broader glance on the works of a creator and adding a reference web site that enables the public to discover its quintessence. That is, a site that prolongs the episodes’ fundamental nature and compiles the series’ richness.
In 2003, he chooses to turn away from the news world as he's further driven by the prospects of slow TV, an approach that advocates comprehensive television content. CONTACT, the encyclopaedia of creation can now take flight.