In The Light // Daniel Ilabaca

Do you remember when I posted this video that completely left me inspired? The Target color ad, was hands down one of my favorite commercials — the compositions, colors, the life, the Parkour. Amazing. WELL…while Arash and I were in Liverpool last month, we met Daniel the choreographer of that very same commercial and it was only fitting that he be the next feature in my new IN THE LIGHT series. Daniel is one of the founders of World Freerunning Parkour Federation, the official meeting place for the worldwide Parkour movement. Hope his story inspires you! *all photos taken with an iPhone*

How would you explain what it is you do?

Its easy to explain to someone what I do from the a physical perspective, I move through the urban landscape jumping and leaping from point A to point B connecting movement in the most efficient way possible.

Where do you hope to go with Parkour? 

Well I feel I already live what I dream and soon I plan to use the power of film making to create stories that liberate people. Doing things that make people question the reasons for such movements. I believe that people are afraid of the things they don’t understand…but the truth is that in our innocence of not understanding that is where beauty lies. Accepting we don’t have control and being happy with each day, for me is beautiful.

How did you get started doing it – what inspired you?

I have always been inspired by movement from a very early age, I have two older brothers and I always enjoyed adventures with them as I grew up. I was soon in secondary school and found it frustrating sitting in a class room writing down information that I was told was important to know. None of that really interested me, and I always had my eyes towards the window thinking about being outdoors. It was during one weekend off school, I was out playing and saw a man do a flip off a wall. I was amazed and immediately ran over to him, he gave me his contact card and welcomed me to join him in practice of an art form known as Capoeira, which is a brazilian martial art. One thing lead to the next and it was back to what I had always been doing as a boy, back to climbing trees and using the surrounding landscape to express my emotions. That was the beginning for me.

To follow up with Daniel and watch some of his work…check out: web // youtube // Facebook

Thanks Daniel for being  IN THE LIGHT!