Exclusive interview with Hungary’s Face Team

What do you get when you mix basketball, handball, korfball, acrobatics and ball juggling? The answer might seem complicated, but it’s actually easy: Face Team, Hungary’s first & only Acrobatic Sports Theatre. They perform extraordinary shows all around the world and they hold the audience spellbound. They are currently on tour in France but were kind enough to answer some questions.

DailyNewsHungary: When and how was Face Team created? Where did the idea come from for creating such an innovative formation? And where did the name come from?
Face Team: In 2003, Áron Takács won the “Nike-It’s Right” freestyle competition. Not long after this, he was asked to perform his freestyle basketball show at the Eötvös József Grammar School in Tata. He called up some of his friends to create a show together. This is how Face Team was formed is 2004. The name represents the many faces and characters of our ‘little company’.

DailyNewsHungary: Can we say that the real fame came with Britain’s Got Talent? What was it like to take part in a talent show like that?
Face Team: It feels nostalgic to think back; it is a very good memory since we were highly acknowledged. We amazed people like Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon. The judges really liked us and our performances so we got quite far in the competition which was a big achievement in a field so strong and diverse. The show was watched by so many that it broke a record. So, yes, many people found out about us and what we do by watching the show.

DailyNewsHungary: How was your video with Devin Graham (devinsupertramp at Youtube, he produces adventure and extreme sport videos) made? How was it like working with him?
Face Team: Our management called him up to make a video together. This was way before he became famous and reached the top of his career. It was really easy and fun working with him at different locations in Budapest. He is a professional. The video “Slam Dunk Supertramp Style – Face Team basketball” is the 5th most watched video on his channel. We are not shy to say that this video is one that contributed to his success and vice versa.

DailyNewsHungary: In this video you also show the spectacles of Budapest. Do you find it important to advertise the country?
Face Team: We’ve always found it important to represent our country abroad. We bring our team’s and Hungary’s fame all around the world.

DailyNewsHungary: The dunk named Áron Gannicus, which was shared by Whistle Sports, has been viewed over 12 million times and the photo depicting the dunk has won an award. Was that the debut of the dunk?
Face Team: Yes. The photo and the video were taken at the Basketball World Championships in 2014, in Spain. It was the first time that Áron performed the dunk named Gannicus in front of an audience. Watch the dunk HERE!

DailyNewsHungary: How long does it take to practice a new dunk or movement? Do you have a choreographer in the team?
Face Team: It depends on the difficulty of the trick. It can take hours or weeks. We always try to widen our repertoire with new tricks or a whole new show and to make our performances interesting and spectacular. We don’t have a choreographer in the team; we create the new moves together, although we ask for the help of professional dancers and choreographers from time to time.

DailyNewsHungary: Is this more of a hobby or a profession to you?
Face Team: On one hand, it is definitely a hobby because we do something which we enjoy. On the other hand, it is like a job because this is how the N° 1 team makes a living. Besides this, some of the team members help in the training of the new generation.

DailyNewsHungary: Can we imagine you as the ‘Indispensables’? I mean, does everyone have their own role in the team?
Face Team: Yes, we can say that we are like them in the meaning that there are many different characters in the team but all together we make a superb whole. All of the tasks are distributed between us. Some help in training, some help in organization or marketing.