Rupert Chesman is managing partner of Clipps, a Dubai-based video production house.
I was born in London, in the same hospital in Hammersmith as my father. I'm one of those rare Londoners with parents who are both from there as well. I grew up in Kew Gardens, one of the poshest parts of London - so quite possibly one of the poshest parts of the planet.
My sister and brother are seven and eight years older than me, so I'd try and get involved in their games which were too difficult for me, and involved tantrums and medical treatment. Luckily my brother and his friends blazed a trail of amusingly bad behaviour, so anything I did later on in life tended to never be quite as bad.
I really didn't like school much. I was in an expensive private school that made me feel like I was a number rather than Rupert Chesman. It was lovely going back to the school reunion and being able to say that I have my own production company and live near the beach. Suffice to say, I don't think I'll bother going to the 20-year reunion.
Until I was 18, I lived in London and then moved to Tianjin, China and taught English there for six months, I then took the boat from China to Japan and translated French for a while. Then I travelled round China after that for two months, before I started uni back in Sheffield, still jet-lagged from Hong Kong.
I studied Japanese at Sheffield University and had a year in Tokyo during my course. It's nice being able to read and write Japanese, at least it's something a little different from the norm. I know French as well as the Arabic alphabet, but haven't really had the chance to learn much else of the language since I arrived in Dubai. I hate not being able to communicate at all in a language, and always try to learn a few sentences or letters wherever I am.
After I graduated, I was at home, bored and unemployed, and went to play tennis with someone who writes for EastEnders. He was making a short film and needed some help, I wasn't doing anything in particular, and offered to help him. The rest, as they say, is history, one that has so far involved a goat, a fat man, a bungee cord, an iceberg and a leopard-skin print motor-powered sofa going at 65km/h. I moved to Dubai, after a few years of working in production in London.
I've seen most of Europe, Phoenix in the US, China, Japan, South Korea, Egypt, Yemen, Oman, the UAE. The thing is, I've never really felt like one of those people who has the travel bug - I'm not that fussed about where I am as long as life is interesting. My job takes me around the world a bit - filming in Sana'a and Cairo were certainly interesting experiences. Getting Yemen TV to work with a slick production crew from Japan was a surreal yet successful few weeks.
Working with Hamaki, one of Egypt's most popular artists, on his music video was great fun. He's a really nice guy, and to keep the video alive and entertaining I made sure that I danced during every take behind the camera. It certainly gave the video an enthusiastic vibe.
As a producer, I have ultimate responsibility from beginning to delivery of top-quality videos from initial pitches to the final edit. Toyota tends to have a very clear concept of what they want and I arrange their locations, permissions, equipment and staff. Other clients may be looking for a creative concept, or interpretation of a concept that they have. One week I might be leading a goat through Covent Garden, the next day bouncing a fat man upside down on a bungee cord, then dune bashing a new Land Cruiser. Parking in the middle of Sheikh Zayed Road in rush hour with a police escort was the most interesting thing this year.
Learning Japanese taught me that if you're stubborn, work hard and have a little help from your friends, there's no limit to what you can achieve. Dubai taught me about living and working with different nationalities and I'm sure I'm a more confident person than I was when I arrived here. Setting up Clipps made me understand what it's like to be the boss and realise what it's like being truly independent. I like it. Working as a producer has taught me that lateral thinking can get you anywhere. When a client wants something, I have to arrange it. If they want an iceberg on the creek, I have to put it there. Somehow. Whether it involves CGI graphics, or a very, very big freezer, or a lot of white cardboard, I have to do it.
My philosophy is life is as fun as you make it. Watching anything I've organised happen successfully, whether it's a weekly game of Frisbee or a huge production for Nokia makes me happy. I play football, ski, swim, the stuff that I enjoy the most doesn't involve going out to clubs. But I enjoy that aspect of life too.
Company%20Profile
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
Company%20Profile
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The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
RESULT
Chelsea 2
Willian 13'
Ross Barkley 64'
Liverpool 0
Results:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Rodaini, Connor Beasley (jockey), Ahmad bin Harmash (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
Winner: Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
Winner: Spotify, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
8.15pm: UAE Oakes | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: Divine Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Mythical Image, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
Winner: Major Partnership, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What is blockchain?
Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.
The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.
Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.
However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.
Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.
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Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
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Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors
Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km
Price: from Dh199,900
On sale: now
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Simran
Director Hansal Mehta
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Soham Shah, Esha Tiwari Pandey
Three stars
Company%20profile
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Brown/Black belt finals
3pm: 49kg female: Mayssa Bastos (BRA) v Thamires Aquino (BRA)
3.07pm: 56kg male: Hiago George (BRA) v Carlos Alberto da Silva (BRA)
3.14pm: 55kg female: Amal Amjahid (BEL) v Bianca Basilio (BRA)
3.21pm: 62kg male: Gabriel de Sousa (BRA) v Joao Miyao (BRA)
3.28pm: 62kg female: Beatriz Mesquita (BRA) v Ffion Davies (GBR)
3.35pm: 69kg male: Isaac Doederlein (BRA) v Paulo Miyao (BRA)
3.42pm: 70kg female: Thamara Silva (BRA) v Alessandra Moss (AUS)
3.49pm: 77kg male: Oliver Lovell (GBR) v Tommy Langarkar (NOR)
3.56pm: 85kg male: Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE) v Rudson Mateus Teles (BRA)
4.03pm: 90kg female: Claire-France Thevenon (FRA) v Gabreili Passanha (BRA)
4.10pm: 94kg male: Adam Wardzinski (POL) v Kaynan Duarte (BRA)
4.17pm: 110kg male: Yahia Mansoor Al Hammadi (UAE) v Joao Rocha (BRA
